And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
And {G2532} did {G4095} all {G3956} drink {G4095} the same {G846} spiritual {G4152} drink {G4188}: for {G1063} they drank {G4095} of {G1537} that spiritual {G4152} Rock {G4073} that followed them {G190}: and {G1161} that Rock {G4073} was {G2258} Christ {G5547}.
and they all drank the same drink from the Spirit — for they drank from a Spirit-sent Rock which followed them, and that Rock was the Messiah.
and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.
and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ.
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Exodus 17:6
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. -
John 7:37
¶ In the last day, that great [day] of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. -
Isaiah 48:21
And they thirsted not [when] he led them through the deserts: he caused the waters to flow out of the rock for them: he clave the rock also, and the waters gushed out. -
John 4:14
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. -
Psalms 78:15
He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave [them] drink as [out of] the great depths. -
Psalms 78:20
Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people? -
Numbers 20:11
And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts [also].
1 Corinthians 10:4 is a profound statement by the Apostle Paul, connecting the miraculous provision for the Israelites in the wilderness to the person of Jesus Christ. It highlights God's continuous care for His people and the eternal nature of Christ.
Context
This verse is part of Paul's broader argument in 1 Corinthians chapter 10, where he uses the history of Israel in the wilderness as a cautionary example for the Corinthian believers. He reminds them that despite receiving divine blessings like the "spiritual meat" (manna) and the "spiritual drink" (water from the rock), many of the Israelites fell into sin and rebellion, incurring God's displeasure (1 Corinthians 10:5). Paul's intent is to warn the Corinthians against similar pitfalls, particularly idolatry and immorality, which were prevalent issues in their city, by showing that even those who experienced God's direct provision could fail.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The terms "spiritual drink" (Greek: pneumatikon poma) and "spiritual Rock" (Greek: pneumatikes petras) are key. The word "spiritual" (pneumatikos) here signifies not merely something non-physical, but something divinely given, divinely empowered, and pertaining to the Holy Spirit or divine realm. It implies that these provisions were not just earthly sustenance but carried a deeper, supernatural significance, pointing directly to Christ as the ultimate source of life.
Historical and Cultural Context
The narrative of water from the rock is famously found in Exodus 17:6 and Numbers 20:11. The idea of the "Rock that followed them" is rooted in Jewish traditions of the time, which suggested the miraculous rock or the accompanying stream moved with Israel during their wilderness wanderings, providing continuous water. Paul takes this tradition and, inspired by the Holy Spirit, infuses it with Christian meaning, identifying this ever-present source of life as Christ himself. This serves to reinforce his warning: if even those who partook of Christ's spiritual provision could fall, then the Corinthians should be vigilant in their Christian walk.
Practical Application
This verse offers several crucial applications for believers today: