Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 10:11

What does 1 Corinthians 10:11 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 10:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 10:11 means

Paul affirms that these events “happened unto them by way of example” and were “written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.” Scripture is not a mere chronicle; God wrote it to form His people. Believers live at the climactic phase of God’s plan, when Christ has come and the final fulfillment draws near. This heightens responsibility, not lessens it. If Israel’s privileges did not exempt them from judgment, neither will Christian privileges. Yet the written Word provides grace: warnings to turn us from sin and guide us safely. Wise readers take Israel’s history personally, letting it correct pride and steer them to steadfast loyalty to the Lord Jesus.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now these things were done as an example; and were put down in writing for our teaching, on whom the last days have come.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And all these things as types did happen to those persons, and they were written for our admonition, to whom the end of the ages did come,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now all these things happened to them in figure: and they are written for our correction, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Now all these things happened to them [as] types, and have been written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.

Context

Having completed the list of Israel’s sins and judgments, Paul states the purpose of that history for the church: instruction and admonition. He frames the Corinthians’ time as the “ends of the ages,” intensifying the relevance. This sets up the personal caution of verse 12 and the encouraging promise of verse 13. Thus, the argument moves from corporate history to individual vigilance and divine faithfulness, before returning to the specific issue of idolatry in verses 14–22.

v.10Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer.

v.11This passage

v.12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Cross references

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

  • Romans 4:23

    Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was reckoned unto him;

  • Romans 13:11

    And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when wefirstbelieved.

  • Romans 15:4

    For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:29

    But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none;

  • Hebrews 10:25

    not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.

  • Hebrews 10:37

    For yet a very little while, He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry.

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