1 Corinthians 10

Passing through the sea — a type of baptism

Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 1 Corinthians 10:1–2

Paul says Israel's passage through the Red Sea under the cloud was like a baptism. It foreshadows our baptism into Christ, who, like Moses but greater, leads His people out of bondage.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interprets Exodus 14:22 — The children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground.
• interprets Exodus 13:21 — The LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud.

Manna

Manna — 'What is it?', the bread from heaven

And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 1 Corinthians 10:3

The manna was spiritual food pointing to Christ, the true bread from heaven who gives eternal life.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interprets Exodus 16:15 — It is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.
• interpreted by John 6:31-35 — Jesus: I am the bread of life.

The Rock that followed them

The Rock — the unchanging source of saving water

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4

Paul plainly says the rock that gave Israel water in the wilderness was Christ. Christ, the premortal Jehovah, was with Israel all along, giving them living water; the smitten rock pictures Him struck for us.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interprets Exodus 17:6 — Thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it.
• interprets Numbers 20:11 — Moses smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly.
• the same title in Deuteronomy 32:4 — He is the Rock, his work is perfect.

Jehovah as the premortal Christ

Jehovah — the covenant name, rendered LORD

Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 1 Corinthians 10:9

Paul says Israel in the wilderness tempted Christ. The LORD they provoked in the Exodus was Jesus Christ before His birth.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• interprets Numbers 21:5-6 — The people spake against God ... and the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people.
• alludes to Exodus 17:7 — Because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?

The Sacrament

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:16–17

In the sacrament, the cup and bread join us to Christ's blood and body, His Atonement, and make all who partake one body in Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 26:26-28 — Jesus institutes the bread and cup as His body and blood.

The Lord's Table

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. 1 Corinthians 10:21

The sacrament is the Lord Jesus' cup and table; covenant loyalty to Him cannot be mixed with worship of false gods.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

Jehovah (the jealous God)

Jehovah — the covenant name, rendered LORD

Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? 1 Corinthians 10:22

Paul echoes Moses' song, where Israel moved the LORD to jealousy with idols. The Lord whose table we share is that same God, Jesus Christ, who wants our whole loyalty.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Deuteronomy 32:21 — They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God.
• alludes to Exodus 34:14 — The LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Jehovah (the LORD)

Jehovah — the covenant name, rendered LORD

For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof. 1 Corinthians 10:26

Paul quotes the psalm that everything on earth belongs to the LORD, the Creator Jehovah.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Psalm 24:1 — The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof.

Jehovah (the LORD)

Jehovah — the covenant name, rendered LORD

But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof: 1 Corinthians 10:28

Paul repeats the psalm: all the earth belongs to the LORD.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes Psalm 24:1 — The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof.