TRV
Translation
King James Version
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Complete Jewish Bible
And let us not engage in sexual immorality, as some of them did, with the consequence that 23,000 died in a single day.
Berean Standard Bible
We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.
American Standard Version
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
World English Bible Messianic
Neither let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Neither let vs commit fornication, as some of them committed fornication, and fell in one day three and twentie thousand.
Young's Literal Translation
neither may we commit whoredom, as certain of them did commit whoredom, and there fell in one day twenty-three thousand;
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In the KJVVerse 28,576 of 31,102
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Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10 verses 6–14
6 ¶ Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither 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.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 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.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
The apostle, having recited their privileges, proceeds here to an account of their faults and punishments, their sins and plagues, which are left upon record for an example to us, a warning against the like sins, if we would escape the like punishments. We must not do as they did, lest we suffer as they suffered.
I. Several of their sins are specified as cautions to us; as, 1. We should shun inordinate desires after carnal objects: Not lust after evil things, as they lusted, Co1 10:6. God fed them with manna, but they must have flesh, Num 11:4. They had food for their supply, but, not content with this, they asked meat for their lusts, Psa 106:14. Carnal desires get head by indulgence, and therefore should be observed and checked in their first rise: if once they prevail, and bear sway in us, we know not whither they will carry us. This caution stands first, because carnal appetites indulged are the root and source of much sin. 2. He warns against idolatry (Co1 10:7): Neither be you idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. The sin of the golden calf is referred to, Exo 32:6. They first sacrificed to their idol, then feasted on the sacrifices, and then danced before it. Though only eating and drinking are mentioned here, yet the sacrifice is supposed. The apostle is speaking to the case of the Corinthians, who were tempted to feast on the heathen sacrifices, things offered to idols, though they do not seem to have been under any temptation to offer sacrifice themselves. Even eating and drinking of the sacrifices before the idol, and as things sacrificed, was idolatry, which, by the example of the Israelites, they should be warned to avoid. 3. He cautions against fornication, a sin to which the inhabitants of Corinth were in a peculiar manner addicted. They had a temple among them dedicated to Venus (that is, to lust), with above a thousand priestesses belonging to it, all common prostitutes. How needful was a caution against fornication to those who lived in so corrupt a city, and had been used to such dissolute manners, especially when they were under temptations to idolatry too! and spiritual whoredom did in many cases lead to bodily prostitution. Most of the gods whom the heathens served were represented as patterns of lewdness; and much lewdness was committed in the very worship of many of them. Many of the Jewish writers, and many Christians after them, think that such worship was paid to Baal-Peor; and that fornication was committed with the daughters of Moab in the worship of that idol. They were enticed by these women both to spiritual and corporal whoredom; first to feast on the sacrifice, if not to do more beastly acts, in honour of the idol, and then to defile themselves with strange flesh (Num. 25), which brought on a plague, that in one day slew twenty-three thousand, besides those who fell by the hand of public justice. Note, Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge, in whatever external relation they may stand to him, and whatever outward privileges he may bestow upon them. Let us fear the sins of Israel, if we would shun their plagues. 4. He warns us against tempting Christ (as some of them tempted, and were destroyed of serpents, Co1 10:9), or provoking him to jealousy, Co1 10:22. He was with the church in the wilderness; he was the angel of the covenant, who went before them. But he was greatly grieved and provoked by them in many ways: They spoke against him and Moses, Wherefore have you brought us out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for which reason God sent fiery serpents among them (Num 21:5, Num 21:6), by which many of them were stung mortally. And it is but just to fear that such as tempt Christ under the present dispensation will be left by him in the power of the old serpent. 5. He warns against murmuring: Neither murmur you as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer (Co1 10:10), by a destroying angel, an executioner of divine vengeance. They quarrelled with God, and murmured against Moses his minister, when any difficulties pressed them. When they met with discouragements in the way to Canaan, they were very apt to fly in the face of their leaders, were for displacing them, and going back to Egypt under the conduct of others of their own choosing. Something like this seems to have been the case of the Corinthians; they murmured against Paul, and in him against Christ, and seem to have set up other teachers, who would indulge and soothe them in their inclinations, and particularly in a revolt to idolatry. Rather let them feast on idol sacrifices than bear the reproach, or expose themselves to the ill-will, of heathen neighbours. Such conduct was very provoking to God, and was likely to bring upon them swift destruction, as it did on the Israelites, Num 14:37. Note, Murmuring against divine disposals and commands is a sin that greatly provokes, especially when it grows to such a head as to issue in apostasy, and a revolt from him and his good ways.
II. The apostle subjoins to these particular cautions a more general one (Co1 10:11): All these things happened to them for ensamples, and were written for our admonition. Not only the laws and ordinances of the Jews, but the providences of God towards them, were typical. Their sins against God, and backslidings from him, were typical of the infidelity of many under the gospel. God's judgments on them were types of spiritual judgments now. Their exclusion from the earthly Canaan typified the exclusion of many under the gospel out of the heavenly Canaan, for their unbelief. Their history was written, to be a standing monitor to the church, even under the last and most perfect dispensation: To us, on whom the end of the world is come, the concluding period of God's gracious government over men. Note, Nothing in scripture is written in vain. God had wise and gracious purposes towards us in leaving the Jewish history upon record; and it is our wisdom and duty to receive instruction from it. Upon this hint the apostle grounds a caution (Co1 10:12): Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Note, The harms sustained by others should be cautious to us. He that thinks he stands should not be confident and secure, but upon his guard. Others have fallen, and so may we. And then we are most likely to fall when we are most confident of our own strength, and thereupon most apt to be secure, and off our guard. Distrust of himself, putting him at once upon vigilance and dependence on God, is the Christian's best security against all sin. Note, He who thinks he stands is not likely to keep his footing, if he fears no fall, nor guards against it. God has not promised to keep us from falling, if we do not look to ourselves: his protection supposes our own care and caution.
III. But to this word of caution he adds a word of comfort, Co1 10:13. Though it is displeasing to God for us to presume, it is not pleasing to him for us to despair. If the former be a great sin, the latter is far from being innocent. Though we must fear and take heed lest we fall, yet should we not be terrified and amazed; for either our trials will be proportioned to our strength, or strength will be supplied in proportion to our temptations. We live indeed in a tempting world, where we are compassed about with snares. Every place, condition, relation, employment, and enjoyment, abounds with them; yet what comfort may we fetch from such a passage! For, 1. "No temptation," says the apostle, "hath yet taken you, but such as is common to man, what is human; that is, such as you may expect from men of such principles as heathens, and such power; or else such as is common to mankind in the present state; or else such as the spirit and resolution of mere men may bear you through." Note, The trials of common Christians are but common trials: others have the like burdens and the like temptations; what they bear up under, and break through, we may also. 2. God is faithful. Though Satan be a deceiver, God is true. Men may be false, and the world may be false; but God is faithful, and our strength and security are in him. He keepeth his covenant, and will never disappoint the filial hope and trust of his children. 3. He is wise as well as faithful, and will proportion our burden to our strength. He will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able. He knows what we can bear, and what we can bear up against; and he will, in his wise providence, either proportion our temptations to our strength or make us able to grapple with them. He will take care that we be not overcome, if we rely upon him, and resolve to approve ourselves faithful to him. We need not perplex ourselves with the difficulties in our way when God will take care that they shall not be too great for us to encounter, especially. 4. When he will make them to issue well. He will make a way to escape, either the trial itself, or at least the mischief of it. There is no valley so dark but he can find a way through it, no affliction so grievous but he can prevent, or remove, or enable us to support it, and in the end overrule it to our advantage.
IV. And upon this argument he grounds another caution against idolatry: Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. Observe, 1. How he addresses them: My dearly beloved. It is out of tender affection to them that he presses this advice upon them. 2. The matter of his advice: "Flee idolatry; shun it, and all approaches towards it." Idolatry is the most heinous injury and affront to the true God; it is transferring his worship and honour to a rival. 3. The ground of this advice: "Seeing you have such encouragement to trust God, and to be faithful, do you approve yourselves men, be not shaken by any discouragements your heathen enemies may lay before you. God will succour and assist, help you in your trials, and help you out of them; and therefore be not guilty of any idolatrous compliances." Note, We have all the encouragement in the world to flee sin and prove faithful to God. We cannot fall by a temptation if we cleave fast to him.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 6–14. Public domain.
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Clement of AlexandriaAD 215
The Instructor Book 2
Remember the four and twenty thousand that were rejected for fornication.
TertullianAD 220
On Modesty
And of course it is a sufficient one, that so vast a number-(the number) of 24, 000-of the People, when they committed fornication with the daughters of Madian, fell in one plague. But, with an eye to the glory of Christ, I prefer to derive (my) discipline from Christ.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on 1 Corinthians 23
"Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed." Wherefore doth he here make mention of fornication again, having so largely discoursed concerning it before? It is ever Paul's custom when he brings a charge of many sins, both to set them forth in order and separately to proceed with his proposed topics, and again in his discourses concerning other things to make mention also of the former: which thing God also used to do in the Old Testament, in reference to each several transgression, reminding the Jews of the calf and bringing that sin before them. This then Paul also does here, at the same time both reminding them of that sin, and teaching that the parent of this evil also was luxury and gluttony. Wherefore also he adds, "Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand."
And wherefore names he not likewise the punishment for their idolatry? Either because it was clear and more notorious, or because the plague was not so great at that time, as in the matter of Balaam, when they joined themselves to Baalpeor, the Midianitish women appearing in the camp and alluring them to wantonness according to the counsel of Balaam. For that this evil counsel was Balaam's Moses sheweth after this, in the following statement at the end of the Book of Numbers. "Balaam also the son of Beor they slew in the war of Midian with the sword and they brought the spoils. ... And Moses was wroth, and said, Wherefore have ye saved all the women alive? For these were to the children of Israel for a stumbling-block, according to the word of Balaam, to cause them to depart from and despise the word of the Lord for Peor's sake."
PelagiusAD 418
COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 10
Note that it was not just idolatry which led to death [but their immorality as well].
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
First Corinthians 10:8 serves as a stark admonition against sexual immorality, drawing a direct parallel to a specific incident of sin and judgment in ancient Israel's history. Paul employs this vivid historical example to caution the Corinthian believers, and by extension all subsequent generations of Christians, about the severe consequences of succumbing to temptation and disobedience, emphasizing the unwavering holiness of God and the seriousness with which He regards sin.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is an integral part of Paul's extended argument in 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, where he strategically uses the wilderness journey of the Israelites as a series of cautionary examples for the New Testament church. Following his discussion on Christian liberty and the dangers of idolatry in 1 Corinthians 8-9 and his personal example of self-discipline, Paul pivots to historical precedents. 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. Verse 8 specifically highlights the sin of sexual immorality, linking it to the broader theme of idolatry and the need for vigilance, culminating in the warning that anyone who thinks they stand firm should be careful not to fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).
Historical & Cultural Context: The specific incident referenced in 1 Corinthians 10:8 is the grievous sin at Baal-Peor, meticulously recorded in Numbers 25:1-9. During their encampment in Shittim, Israelite men engaged in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who then enticed them to participate in their idolatrous worship of Baal of Peor. This syncretistic act, combining illicit sexual relations with the worship of false gods, provoked the Lord's wrath, leading to a devastating plague that claimed the lives of 24,000 people. For the Corinthian church, this historical account carried particular weight, as Corinth itself was notorious for its rampant sexual immorality and the presence of temple prostitution associated with the worship of Aphrodite, making Paul's warning profoundly relevant to their immediate cultural environment.
Key Themes: 1 Corinthians 10:8 contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within the broader book. Firstly, it underscores the Warning Against Sexual Immorality, a pervasive concern for Paul, who consistently emphasizes the sanctity of sexual purity, reminding believers that their bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit and urging them to flee from sexual immorality. Secondly, the verse highlights Divine Judgment and Consequences, demonstrating God's absolute holiness and the gravity with which He views sin, particularly when it involves both immorality and idolatry. The swift and severe judgment, though the precise number differs slightly from the Old Testament account, serves as a powerful reminder of God's justice. Lastly, it reinforces the theme of Learning from History, establishing that past events serve as vital lessons for future generations. Israel's failures are not mere 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.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Paul's communication in 1 Corinthians 10:8 employs several potent literary devices to convey his warning. The primary device is Allusion, specifically to the historical event recorded in Numbers 25. By referencing the Baal-Peor incident, Paul leverages the shared knowledge of his audience regarding Israel's past failures and God's subsequent judgment. This allusion functions as an Exemplum, presenting the Israelites' experience as a negative example or warning for the Corinthian believers. The phrase "as some of them committed" explicitly frames the past event as a pattern to be avoided. Furthermore, the precise numerical detail, "three and twenty thousand," while possibly a rounded figure or referring to a specific subset of the casualties (a form of Synecdoche or Merism if it represents part of the whole 24,000), serves to emphasize the sheer scale and suddenness of the divine judgment, adding a stark realism to the warning. The overall tone of the verse is one of Admonition, a serious and urgent warning against a specific sin that carries severe consequences, designed to prevent the Corinthian church from repeating the mistakes of their spiritual ancestors.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First Corinthians 10:8 profoundly connects to the enduring biblical themes of God's holiness, the pervasive nature of sin, and the principle of divine judgment. It underscores that God's moral standards are immutable, and His covenant people are held to a high standard of purity, both spiritual and physical. Sexual immorality, as exemplified by the Baal-Peor incident, is not merely a social transgression but a profound offense against a holy God, often intertwined with idolatry as a spiritual "fornication" against Him. This verse reminds believers that spiritual privileges do not grant immunity from the consequences of sin, compelling them to vigilance and self-control in their walk with God. The swift and severe judgment on Israel serves as a timeless warning that God takes sin, particularly that which defiles His people and dishonors His name, with utmost seriousness.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Corinthians 10:8 offers a timeless and crucial call to spiritual discipline and moral purity for believers today. In a world saturated with sexual temptation and increasingly normalized immorality, Paul's warning from ancient history remains profoundly relevant. It reminds us that God's standards for purity are unwavering and that sexual sin is a grave offense that carries serious consequences, not only spiritually but often physically and relationally. We must actively guard our hearts and minds against the pervasive influences that lead to compromise and sin, recognizing that no one is immune to temptation, regardless of their spiritual standing or past experiences with God's grace. The Israelites' fall, despite witnessing God's miracles, serves as a powerful warning against spiritual complacency and overconfidence. Wisdom dictates that we learn from the errors of those who came before us, understanding the causes and consequences of past failures so we can navigate contemporary challenges and avoid similar pitfalls in our own lives, striving for holiness and peace in every aspect of our being.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does Paul mention 23,000 deaths when Numbers 25:9 states 24,000?
Answer: The slight discrepancy between Paul's figure of 23,000 in 1 Corinthians 10:8 and the 24,000 recorded in Numbers 25:9 is a minor textual variation common in ancient writings and does not undermine the theological point. Several explanations are plausible: Paul may have been citing a different tradition or a slightly rounded figure, which was common in ancient numerical references. Alternatively, the 23,000 might refer specifically to those who died directly from the plague, while the 24,000 in Numbers includes those who were executed by the sword by the tribal leaders before the plague was stopped. Regardless of the precise number, Paul's central message remains clear and powerful: a vast multitude perished swiftly due to their sin, serving as a severe warning to the Corinthians.
What is the significance of sexual immorality being linked to idolatry in this context?
Answer: In the biblical worldview, sexual immorality is often deeply intertwined with idolatry, and this connection is particularly evident in the Baal-Peor incident referenced in 1 Corinthians 10:8. The Moabite women enticed the Israelite men not only into sexual relations but also into participating in the worship of their god, Baal of Peor. This highlights that illicit sexual activity frequently involves a turning away from God and a devotion to self-gratification or false gods, making it a form of spiritual "fornication" against the one true God. Paul consistently teaches that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and are meant to glorify God (1 Corinthians 6:20). Therefore, engaging in sexual immorality is a desecration of God's temple and a betrayal of one's covenant with Him, akin to worshipping an idol.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Corinthians 10:8 presents a stark warning rooted in Old Testament judgment, its ultimate fulfillment and resolution are found in Christ. The severe consequences of Israel's sin underscore the depth of human depravity and the unwavering holiness of God, revealing the dire need for a perfect sacrifice. Jesus Christ, as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, perfectly fulfilled the demands of God's justice by bearing the penalty for sin on the cross, thereby offering a path to forgiveness and reconciliation that the Old Covenant sacrifices could only foreshadow. Furthermore, the call to flee sexual immorality and pursue purity is now empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit, whom Christ poured out on His church. Believers are not left to their own strength to overcome temptation but are new creations in Christ, empowered by His Spirit to put to death the deeds of the body and live lives that glorify God. Thus, the warning in 1 Corinthians 10:8 points us to our absolute dependence on Christ's atoning work for salvation and His transforming power for sanctification, enabling us to live in the purity that the Old Covenant commanded but could not fully empower.