1 Corinthians 10:7

King James Version (KJV)

Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Neither be ye idolaters - The apostle considers partaking of the idolatrous feasts as being real acts of idolatry; because those who offered the flesh to their gods considered them as feeding invisibly with them on the flesh thus offered, and that every one that partook of the feast was a real participator with the god to whom the flesh or animal had been offered in sacrifice. See 1 Corinthians 10:21.

Rose up to play - See the note on Exodus 32:6. The Jews generally explain this word as implying idolatrous acts only: I have considered it as implying acts of impurity, with which idolatrous acts were often accompanied. It also means those dances which were practised in honor of their gods. That this is one meaning of the verb παιζειν, Kypke has largely proved. The whole idolatrous process was as follows:

The proper victim was prepared and set apart.

It was slain, and its blood poured out at the altar of the deity.

The flesh was dressed, and the priests and offerers feasted on it, and thus endeavored to establish a communion between themselves and the object of their worship.

After eating, they had idolatrous dances in honor of their god; and,

5. as might be expected, impure mixtures, in consequence of those dances. The people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play; and it is in reference to this issue of idolatrous feasts and dancings that the apostle immediately subjoins: Neither let us commit Fornication, etc.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Neither be ye idolaters - This caution is evidently given in view of the danger to which they would be exposed if they partook of the feasts that were celebrated in honor of idols in their temples. The particular idolatry which is referred to here is, the worship of the golden calf that was made by Aaron Exodus 32:1-5.

As it is written - Exodus 32:6.

The people sat down to eat and to drink - To worship the golden calf. They partook of a feast in honor of that idol. I have already observed that it was common to keep a feast in honor of an idol, and that the food which was eaten on such an occasion was mainly the meat which had been offered in sacrifice to it. This instance was particularly to the apostle‘s purpose, as he was cautioning the Corinthians against the danger of participating in the feasts celebrated in the pagan temples.

And rose up to play - ( παίζειν paizein). The Hebrew word used in Exodus 32:6 (צחק tsaachaq) means “to laugh, to sport, to jest, to mock, to insult” Genesis 21:9; and then to engage in dances accompanied with music, in honor of an idol. This was often practiced, as the worship of idols was celebrated with songs and dances. This is particularly affirmed of this instance of idol worship Exodus 32:19; and this was common among ancient idolaters; and this mode of worship was even adopted by David before the ark of the Lord; 2 Samuel 6:5; 1 Chronicles 13:8; 1 Chronicles 15:29. All that the word “to play” here necessarily implies is, that of choral songs and dances, accompanied with revelry in honor of the idol. It was, however, the fact that such worship was usually accompanied with much licentiousness; but that is not necessarily implied in the use of the word. Most of the oriental dances were grossly indecent and licentious, and the word here may be designed to include such indelicacy and licentiousness.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Carnal desires gain strength by indulgence, therefore should be checked in their first rise. Let us fear the sins of Israel, if we would shun their plagues. And it is but just to fear, that such as tempt Christ, will be left by him in the power of the old serpent. Murmuring against God's disposals and commands, greatly provokes him. Nothing in Scripture is written in vain; and it is our wisdom and duty to learn from it. Others have fallen, and so may we. The Christian's security against sin is distrust of himself. God has not promised to keep us from falling, if we do not look to ourselves. To this word of caution, a word of comfort is added. Others have the like burdens, and the like temptations: what they bear up under, and break through, we may also. God is wise as well as faithful, and will make our burdens according to our strength. He knows what we can bear. He will make a way to escape; he will deliver either from the trial itself, or at least the mischief of it. We have full encouragement to flee from sin, and to be faithful to God. We cannot fall by temptation, if we cleave fast to him. Whether the world smiles or frowns, it is an enemy; but believers shall be strengthened to overcome it, with all its terrors and enticements. The fear of the Lord, put into their hearts, will be the great means of safety.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

7. Neither be ye. The command may be translated, “stop being [or “becoming”] idolaters,” implying that some of the Israelites lapsed into idolatry.

Helps. Gr. antil?psis, derived from a verb meaning, literally, “to lay hold of.” The word occurs only here in the NT, but is frequent in the papyri, with the idea of “assistance,” “succor.” This gift is generally understood to be the ability conferred on those who perform the office of a deacon in the church, particularly as that office calls for ministering to the needs of the poor and the sick. This is a work that may not be given as much publicity as some of the other gifts, but it is nonetheless an important phase of church life. To be able to visit the sick and give them real sympathetic, understanding help, both physically and spiritually, is a powerful means of turning hearts to the Saviour. Caring for the poor and needy by relieving their material lack can be done satisfactorily only by those who are led by the Spirit. This is a most fruitful ministry (see Isa. 58:7; 5T 612, 613; 6T 282, 306, 307; MH 147, 148).

Idolaters. This is primarily a reference to the worship of the golden calf by the people while Moses was in the mount with God (see Ex. 32:1-5). The warning was particularly appropriate for the Corinthians, some of whom apparently felt free to attend feasts in idol temples (see on 1 Cor. 8:10; cf. ch. 10:20, 21).

Governments. Gr. kubern?seis, derived from a verb meaning “to steer,” “to act as a helmsman,” hence, “to guide,” “to govern.” Kubern?seis probably refers to the gifts of administration in the church.

Eat and drink. See on Ex. 32:6.

Tongues. For a definition of this gift see on ch. 14; see Additional Note on Chapter 14.

Play. The quotation is from Ex. 32:6. The Israelites at Mt. Sinai had not forgotten the things they had seen and practiced in Egypt, where idolatry was the state religion. They were well acquainted with the sensual, passionate performances that were associated with the worship of false gods, and they doubtless imitated them at the worship of the golden calf. Feasting and drinking beclouded the mind, so that men were no longer able to discern between good and evil, and they were enslaved by bodily passions, thus exposing themselves to the subtle temptations of the enemy.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

7. Neither be ye. The command may be translated, “stop being [or “becoming”] idolaters,” implying that some of the Israelites lapsed into idolatry.

Helps. Gr. antilÃ„â€œpsis, derived from a verb meaning, literally, “to lay hold of.” The word occurs only here in the NT, but is frequent in the papyri, with the idea of “assistance,” “succor.” This gift is generally understood to be the ability conferred on those who perform the office of a deacon in the church, particularly as that office calls for ministering to the needs of the poor and the sick. This is a work that may not be given as much publicity as some of the other gifts, but it is nonetheless an important phase of church life. To be able to visit the sick and give them real sympathetic, understanding help, both physically and spiritually, is a powerful means of turning hearts to the Saviour. Caring for the poor and needy by relieving their material lack can be done satisfactorily only by those who are led by the Spirit. This is a most fruitful ministry (see Isa. 58:7; 5T 612, 613; 6T 282, 306, 307; MH 147, 148).

Governments. Gr. kubernÃ„â€œseis, derived from a verb meaning “to steer,” “to act as a helmsman,” hence, “to guide,” “to govern.” KubernÃ„â€œseis probably refers to the gifts of administration in the church.

Eat and drink. See on Ex. 32:6.

Tongues. For a definition of this gift see on ch. 14; see Additional Note on Chapter 14.

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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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Ellen G. White
Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 652-3

The Lord designated a special family of the tribe of Levi to bear the ark; and others of the Levites were specially appointed of God to bear the tabernacle and all its furniture, and to perform the work of setting up and taking down the tabernacle. And if any man from curiosity or from lack of order got out of his place and touched any part of the sanctuary or furniture, or even came near any of the workmen, he was to be put to death. God did not leave His holy tabernacle to be borne, erected, and taken down, indiscriminately, by any tribe who might choose the office; but persons were chosen who could appreciate the sacredness of the work in which they were engaged. These men appointed of God were directed to impress upon the people the special sacredness of the ark and all that appertained thereunto, lest they should look upon these things without realizing their holiness and should be cut off from Israel. All things pertaining to the most holy place were to be looked upon with reverence. 1T 652.1

The travels of the children of Israel are faithfully described; the deliverance which the Lord wrought for them, their perfect organization and special order, their sin in murmuring against Moses and thus against God, their transgressions, their rebellions, their punishments, their carcasses strewn in the wilderness because of their unwillingness to submit to God's wise arrangements—this faithful picture is hung up before us as a warning lest we follow their example of disobedience and fall like them. 1T 652.2

“But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Has God changed from a God of order? No; He is the same in the present dispensation as in the former. Paul says: “God is not the author of confusion, but of peace.” He is as particular now as then. And He designs that we should learn lessons of order and organization from the perfect order instituted in the days of Moses for the benefit of the children of Israel. 1T 652.3

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