1 Corinthians 10:22

22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

1 Corinthians 10:22 in Other Translations

KJV
22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
ESV
22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
NLT
22 What? Do we dare to rouse the Lord’s jealousy? Do you think we are stronger than he is?
MSG
22 Besides, the Master won't put up with it. He wants us - all or nothing. Do you think you can get off with anything less?
CSB
22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?

1 Corinthians 10:22 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 10:22

Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy?
&c.] As they do who are guilty of idolatry in any shape: nothing is more highly resented by God, or stirs him up more to wrath and fury, and to inflict punishment; he cannot bear, nor will he admit of a rival in religious worship; he is a God jealous of his own honour; nor will he give, or suffer to be given by others, his praise and glory to graven images:

are we stronger than he?
to give into idolatrous practices, is to proclaim and enter into a war against God; and what madness must this be? who can be so sottish and stupid as to think of succeeding? when God is omnipotent, and man a poor feeble impotent creature, a worm, and but dust and ashes: thus the apostle dissuades from idolatry, and every species and branch of it; partly from its ill effect, in bringing men into fellowship with devils; and partly from the impossibility of practising it, in consistence with a true and real participation of the cup and table of the Lord; and from the absurdity and stupidity of it, and its dangerous consequence, in exposing men to the vengeance of an almighty incensed Being.

1 Corinthians 10:22 In-Context

20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.
21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.
22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.
24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Deuteronomy 32:16,21; 1 Kings 14:22; Psalms 78:58; Jeremiah 44:8
  • 2. Ecclesiastes 6:10; Isaiah 45:9
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