1 Corinthians 10

Some Bible experts say Paul coined the phrase “baptized in Moses” as a way of comparing Jewish ancestors to believers in his day who were baptized in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:13; Acts 8:16), marking them as followers of Jesus.

Bible experts say Paul seems to be comparing the flakelike manna they received (Exodus 16:31) to the bread Christians eat when they celebrate the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). The food isn’t “spiritual” in the sense that it’s invisible or not part of the physical dimension, some explain. It’s spiritual because of where it comes from. It comes from God. It links us to God. Somehow it connects those of us in the physical world to God and his spiritual kingdom, which we have yet to fully experience.

Again, many scholars say this is probably a reference to the wine Christians drink in the Communion ritual that reminds us of the blood Jesus shed when he died on the cross.

The Jewish Bible doesn’t say anything about a water-loaded rock following the Jews throughout their Exodus from Egypt into what is now Israel and the Palestinian Territories. There were times when water seemed to miraculously burst from the rocks (Exodus 17:1-7; Numbers 20:2-13). Perhaps Paul concluded that these were the same rock. Some scholars say Paul may have borrowed the “traveling rock” idea from one of several Jewish writings. One Jewish commentary talked about a well that was “rock-shaped like a beehive, and wherever they journeyed it rolled along” (Numbers Rabbbah 1.5 on 21:17). This book never made it into the Jewish Bible, which Christians call the Old Testament. Other scholars say Paul may have been referring to the fact that whenever the Jews needed water, God somehow gave it to them.

“That rock was Christ.” Some Bible experts say Paul was making the point that Jesus played a part in ancient Jewish history. Others argue that Paul was simply saying the Jews had the same kind of spiritual benefits that Christians have, which is a connection to God. In spite of that connection, they slipped into idolatry—just as the Corinthians might do if they’re not careful.

Literally, “crave evil.”

Paul seems to be referring to Exodus 32:6, when the Exodus Jews worshiped a golden calf. “The people got up early the next morning to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, they celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry” (New Living Translation).

See Numbers 25:9.

Some ancient manuscripts substitute “Christ” for “Lord.”

There are plenty of examples of the Exodus Jews complaining during the trip. A few examples: Numbers 14:2, 27; 16:11, 41.

More literally “the destroyer.” See Exodus 12:23.

Bible experts say it is hard to know what kind of “hard times” Paul is talking about. Some say that given what Paul has been talking about so far, he’s referring to temptation. But the Greek word he uses, peirasmos, can mean other things as well, including testing, trial, and trouble.

The Greek word expressed here as “linking,” and “experiencing,” is koinonia. It’s a word that can mean to share, to fellowship, or to participate.

Paul recycles part of what he said in 1 Corinthians 6:12. Many Bible scholars say Paul probably was quoting a popular saying. It may also have been a saying that some fake Christian teachers were using to justify their bad behavior.

Paul is paraphrasing Psalm 24:1.

What Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:29-30 has produced at least half a dozen theories by notable Bible experts. Some scholars suggest that these verses were inserted by someone else; the words can seem that abruptly out of place. One other approach says that Paul is trying to set the readers up to embrace the idea that we can use the freedom we have in Christ by showing love and respect for the conscience of another person.