1 Corinthians 10:8

Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

Neither {G3366} let us commit fornication {G4203}, as {G2531} some {G5100} of them {G846} committed {G4203}, and {G2532} fell {G4098} in {G1722} one {G3391} day {G2250} three {G5140} and twenty {G1501} thousand {G5505}.

And let us not engage in sexual immorality, as some of them did, with the consequence that 23,000 died in a single day.

We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.

Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

1 Corinthians 10:8 delivers a powerful admonition against sexual immorality, drawing a direct parallel to the historical failures and subsequent judgment experienced by ancient Israel. Paul uses this vivid example to caution the Corinthian believers, and all subsequent generations of Christians, about the serious consequences of succumbing to temptation and disobedience.

Context

This verse is situated within a broader passage (1 Corinthians 10:1-13) where Paul strategically uses the wilderness journey of the Israelites as a series of cautionary examples for the church. Despite their spiritual privileges—being led by the cloud, passing through the Red Sea, and receiving spiritual food and drink—many Israelites fell due to various sins. The specific incident referenced in verse 8 is the grievous sin at Baal-Peor, recorded in Numbers 25:1-9. There, Israelite men engaged in sexual immorality with Moabite women and participated in their idolatrous worship, leading to a devastating plague from God.

Key Themes

  • Warning Against Sexual Immorality: The term "fornication" translates the Greek word porneia, which is a broad term for all forms of illicit sexual activity, including prostitution, adultery, and other sexual sins outside of marriage. Paul consistently emphasizes the sanctity of sexual purity, reminding believers that their bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:18).
  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The severe outcome—"fell in one day three and twenty thousand"—highlights God's absolute holiness and the gravity with which He views sin. While the Old Testament account in Numbers 25:9 records 24,000 deaths, Paul's figure of 23,000 may refer specifically to those who died by the plague (excluding those executed by sword) or be a rounded number, but the central message of swift and severe divine judgment remains clear.
  • Learning from History: This verse underscores the principle that past events serve as vital lessons for future generations. Israel's failures are not merely historical footnotes but examples written for our admonition, demonstrating that spiritual blessings do not exempt individuals from the need for vigilance, obedience, and self-control.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Corinthians 10:8 offers timeless guidance and a crucial call to spiritual discipline:

  • Take Sin Seriously: The passage reminds us that God's standards for purity are unwavering. Sexual immorality, often intertwined with idolatry (as seen at Baal-Peor), is a grave offense that carries serious consequences, both in this life and eternally.
  • Be Vigilant Against Temptation: No one is immune to temptation, regardless of their spiritual standing. The Israelites' fall, despite witnessing God's miracles, serves as a warning against spiritual complacency. We must actively guard our hearts and minds against influences that lead to sin.
  • Learn from Others' Mistakes: Wisdom dictates that we learn from the errors of those who came before us. By understanding the causes and consequences of past failures, we can better navigate contemporary challenges and avoid similar pitfalls in our own lives, striving for holiness and peace.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Numbers 25:1

    ¶ And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.

  • Numbers 25:9

    And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:18

    Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

  • Psalms 106:29

    Thus they provoked [him] to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:9

    ¶ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

  • Revelation 2:14

    But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.

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