Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 10:1

What does 1 Corinthians 10:1 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 10:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 10:1 means

Paul reminds the Corinthians that the story of Israel is their story too. By saying “our fathers,” he includes Gentile believers in the spiritual family of faith. All Israel experienced God’s saving guidance: the cloud that led and covered them, and the sea that opened for their deliverance. These were great, public privileges, shared by every member of the community. Paul’s point is not mere history, but warning: even people who have seen God’s mighty acts can later fall into sin and judgment. Privilege does not guarantee perseverance. The Corinthians must not assume that their experiences, gifts, or knowledge place them beyond danger; they should read Israel’s story as a mirror for themselves.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For it is my desire, my brothers, that you may keep in mind how all our fathers were under the cloud, and they all went through the sea;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud: and all passed through the sea.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

Context

Having urged self-discipline in chapter 9, Paul now turns to Israel’s wilderness history as a cautionary example. Verse 1 opens a list of Israel’s shared privileges to show that all were exposed to God’s grace. This sets up a sharp contrast to come in verse 5, where most of them fall under judgment. Understanding this framework helps the reader see why Paul revisits the exodus: he is building a case against complacency in Corinth, particularly as it relates to idolatrous feasts and careless use of “liberty.”

v.1This passage

v.2and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Exodus 14:29

    But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.

  • Hebrews 11:29

    By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were swallowed up.

  • Galatians 3:29

    And if ye are Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise.

  • Numbers 33:8

    And they journeyed from before Hahiroth, and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness: and they went three days’ journey in the wilderness of Etham, and encamped in Marah.

  • Revelation 15:2

    And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire; and them that come off victorious from the beast, and from his image, and from the number of his name, standing by the sea of glass, having harps of God.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:38

    But if any man is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

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