1 Corinthians 10:5

King James Version (KJV)

But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

They were overthrown in the wilderness - And yet All these persons were under the cloud - All passed through the sea - All were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea - All ate the same spiritual meat - All drank the same spiritual drink, for they were made partakers of the spiritual Rock, Christ. Nothing can be a more decisive proof than this that people, who have every outward ordinance, and are made partakers of the grace of our Lord Jesus, may so abuse their privileges and grieve the Spirit of God as to fall from their state of grace, and perish ever lastingly. Let those who are continually asserting that this is impossible, beware lest they themselves, if in a state of grace, become, through their overmuch security, proofs in point of the possibility of ending in the flesh, though they began in the Spirit. Reader, remember who said, Ye shall not surely die; and remember the mischiefs produced by a belief of his doctrine.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

But with many of them … - That is, with their conduct. They rebelled and sinned, and were destroyed. The design of the apostle here is, to remind them that although they enjoyed so many privileges, yet they were destroyed; and thus to admonish the Corinthians that their privileges did not constitute an absolute security from danger, and that they should be cautious against the indulgence of sin. The phrase rendered here “with many” ἐν τοῖς πλείων en tois pleiōnshould have been rendered “with most of them,” literally” with the many; and it means that with the greater part of them God was not well pleased; that is, he was pleased with but few of them.

Was not well pleased - Was offended with their ingratitude and rebellion.

For they were overthrown … - That is, by the pestilence, by wars, or died by natural and usual diseases, so that they did not reach the land of Canaan. But two men of that generation, Caleb and Joshua, were permitted to enter the land of promise; Numbers 14:29-30.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

To dissuade the Corinthians from communion with idolaters, and security in any sinful course, the apostle sets before them the example of the Jewish nation of old. They were, by a miracle, led through the Red Sea, where the pursuing Egyptians were drowned. It was to them a typical baptism. The manna on which they fed was a type of Christ crucified, the Bread which came down from heaven, which whoso eateth shall live for ever. Christ is the Rock on which the Christian church is built; and of the streams that issue therefrom, all believers drink, and are refreshed. It typified the sacred influences of the Holy Spirit, as given to believers through Christ. But let none presume upon their great privileges, or profession of the truth; these will not secure heavenly happiness.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

5. With many. Literally, “with the many.” Although Israel was greatly favored by God with mighty manifestations of His power, there were few out of the large company that left Egypt under the leadership of Moses who were willing to obey Him. The record tells of repeated murmurings and rebellion even after they had crossed the Red Sea in such a miraculous manner (se Ex. 16:2, 3, 27, 28; 17:3; 32:1, 6; Num. 11:1, 2, 4, 10, 13; 14:2, 26-30). One act of disobedience after another brought upon those highly favored people the judgments of the Lord, until finally He decreed that they should perish in the wilderness (see on Num. 14:29). God had intended that all who set out on the journey to Canaan should have homes in that land flowing with milk and honey (see Ex. 3:8, 17; 13:5). He had made clear that He would guide, guard, instruct, and provide for them, but they refused to believe and obey. Thus they lost their inheritance. In turn their children were given the opportunity to inherit the land.

Overthrown. Gr. katastr?nnumi, literally, “to strew down along [the ground].” The word occurs only here in the NT, but it is found in the LXX of Num. 14:16. The unbelieving, disobedient Israelites were strewn along the ground in their wanderings through the wilderness because they refused to trust in the love and guidance of their heavenly Father and because they indulged in the gratification of fleshly desires and lusts (see Num. 11:5, 6, 32, 33; 16:31-35, 49; 25:1-5, 9).

The apostle here showed the Corinthian believers that their blessings and privileges did not confer upon them unconditional immunity from temptation. It was necessary for them to be continually on the alert to avoid sin. The favors and blessings bestowed by God upon His people never save them from the just penalty of willful disobedience and rejection of His plain instructions.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

Some. Paul means, some apostles, some prophets, etc.

First. Doubtless first not only in point of time (see Matt. 10:1-8; DA 290, 291) but also in rank, as being one of the most important offices in the church.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

Overthrown. Gr. katastrÃ…Ânnumi, literally, “to strew down along [the ground].” The word occurs only here in the NT, but it is found in the LXX of Num. 14:16. The unbelieving, disobedient Israelites were strewn along the ground in their wanderings through the wilderness because they refused to trust in the love and guidance of their heavenly Father and because they indulged in the gratification of fleshly desires and lusts (see Num. 11:5, 6, 32, 33; 16:31-35, 49; 25:1-5, 9).

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

Some. Paul means, some apostles, some prophets, etc.

First. Doubtless first not only in point of time (see Matt. 10:1-8; DA 290, 291) but also in rank, as being one of the most important offices in the church.

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Ellen G. White
The Acts of the Apostles, 315-6

It was this singlehearted purpose to win the race for eternal life that Paul longed to see revealed in the lives of the Corinthian believers. He knew that in order to reach Christ's ideal for them, they had before them a life struggle from which there would be no release. He entreated them to strive lawfully, day by day seeking for piety and moral excellence. He pleaded with them to lay aside every weight and to press forward to the goal of perfection in Christ. AA 315.1

Paul pointed the Corinthians to the experience of ancient Israel, to the blessings that rewarded their obedience, and to the judgments that followed their transgressions. He reminded them of the miraculous way in which the Hebrews were led from Egypt under the protection of the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. Thus they were safely conducted through the Red Sea, while the Egyptians, essaying to cross in like manner, were all drowned. By these acts God had acknowledged Israel as His church. They “did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” The Hebrews, in all their travels, had Christ as a leader. The smitten rock typified Christ, who was to be wounded for men's transgressions, that the stream of salvation might flow to all. AA 315.2

Notwithstanding the favor that God showed to the Hebrews, yet because of their lust for the luxuries left behind in Egypt, and because of their sin and rebellion, the judgments of God came upon them. The apostle enjoined the Corinthian believers to heed the lesson contained in Israel's experience. “Now these things were our examples,” he declared, “to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.” He showed how love of ease and pleasure had prepared the way for sins that called forth the signal vengeance of God. It was when the children of Israel sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play, that they threw off the fear of God, which they had felt as they listened to the giving of the law; and, making a golden calf to represent God, they worshiped it. And it was after enjoying a luxurious feast connected with the worship of Baalpeor, that many of the Hebrews fell through licentiousness. The anger of God was aroused, and at His command “three and twenty thousand” were slain by the plague in one day. AA 315.3

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