Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 10:6

What does 1 Corinthians 10:6 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 10:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 10:6 means

Israel’s failures were recorded “as examples” so believers “should not lust after evil things.” Paul is not indulging in hindsight but drawing out God’s intent: Scripture instructs the present by recounting the past. Craving what God forbids lies at the root of the other sins he will list. Desire is not neutral; when turned toward evil, it blinds and hardens. Corinth’s desire for social acceptance at idol temples, or for pleasure, could rationalize compromise. Paul urges a sober reading of Israel’s cravings to expose one’s own. The antidote is to desire God Himself above the fleeting allurements of culture. These examples aim not to crush hope, but to steer hearts toward faithful, joyful obedience.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now these things were for an example to us, so that our hearts might not go after evil things, as they did.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and those things became types of us, for our not passionately desiring evil things, as also these did desire.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now these things were done in a figure of us, that we should not covet evil things, as they also coveted.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But these things happened [as] types of us, that we should not be lusters after evil things, as they also lusted.

Context

Verse 6 introduces the purpose clause for the historical survey: the events are examples for us. From here Paul moves into a rapid series of prohibitions in verses 7–10, each tied to episodes from Israel’s wilderness wandering. The first target is idolatry (v.7), but Paul begins with the root—misdirected desire—because wrong loves lead to wrong worship and behavior. The flow leads toward a comprehensive admonition and then a gospel comfort in verse 13.

v.5Howbeit with most of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

v.6This passage

v.7Neither 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.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Peter 3:21

    which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;

  • 2 Peter 2:6

    and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, having made them an example unto those that should live ungodly;

  • Zephaniah 3:6

    I have cut off nations; their battlements are desolate; I have made their streets waste, so that none passeth by; their cities are destroyed, so that there is no man, so that there is no inhabitant.

  • Numbers 11:4

    And the mixed multitude that was among them lusted exceedingly: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

  • Hebrews 4:11

    Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:11

    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.

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