1 Corinthians 10 10

1 Corinthians 10:10 kjv

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

1 Corinthians 10:10 nkjv

nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

1 Corinthians 10:10 niv

And do not grumble, as some of them did?and were killed by the destroying angel.

1 Corinthians 10:10 esv

nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.

1 Corinthians 10:10 nlt

And don't grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death.

1 Corinthians 10 verses

1 Corinthians 10 10 meaning

1 Corinthians 10:10 warns against grumbling and complaining, citing the Israelites' disobedience in the wilderness. It asserts that some of them perished as a consequence of their discontent, executed by "the destroyer." This serves as a severe admonition for believers not to follow their example, emphasizing that such behavior can lead to divine judgment.

1 Corinthians 10 10 Context

First Corinthians 10:10 is part of Paul's extended warning to the Corinthian church against spiritual complacency and falling into idolatry and immorality. Having discussed Christian liberty, especially regarding eating food sacrificed to idols (1 Cor 8-9), Paul begins chapter 10 by drawing stark parallels between the experiences of the Israelites in the wilderness and the situation of the Corinthian believers. He highlights that despite enjoying spiritual privileges (crossing the Red Sea, eating manna, drinking from the rock), the Israelites failed due to their sin, becoming a "paradeigma" (example) for later generations. Each previous verse (1 Cor 10:6-9) details a specific sin (craving evil things, idolatry, sexual immorality, testing Christ) and its divine judgment. Verse 10 adds "grumbling" to this list, showing it too leads to severe consequences. The historical context refers directly to multiple events recorded in the book of Numbers where the Israelites' complaining led to widespread death. Paul's message is that these Old Testament events are not mere historical accounts but vital cautionary tales, relevant to New Testament believers who face their own temptations and require spiritual discipline.

1 Corinthians 10 10 Word analysis

• Nor (μηδέ, mēde): Connects this warning to the preceding negative commands in 1 Corinthians 10:7-9, signifying a continuing series of prohibitions against similar sins that plagued the Israelites.
• grumble (γ ογγύζετε, gongyzete): This is a vivid, onomatopoeic Greek word directly mirroring the sound of complaining, muttering, or murmuring. It describes a deep-seated dissatisfaction and expressing discontent, often directed against God or His appointed leaders, rather than outright rebellion. It implies a lack of faith and trust in divine provision and authority.
• as (καθάπερ, kathaper): Introduces a comparison, indicating that the Corinthians are being warned against acting in the same way the Israelites did.
• some (τινὲς, tines): Refers to a specific segment of the grumbling Israelites, though in context it often refers to a significant number that experienced judgment, not just a few. Paul selectively recalls specific groups of transgressors from the wider population.
• of them (αὐτῶν, autōn): Clearly indicates the Israelites in the wilderness, the "fathers" mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10:1.
• did (διεγόγγυσαν, dieggoysan): An aorist indicative verb, indicating a past completed action, the historical grumbling of the Israelites.
• and were destroyed (καὶ ἀπώλοντο, kai apōlonto): The consequence directly follows the grumbling. Apōlonto is a strong verb indicating being lost, perishing, ruined, or losing one's life. It emphasizes complete destruction, not merely discomfort.
• by the destroyer (ὑπὸ τοῦ ὀλοθρευτοῦ, hypo tou olothreutou):
  • by (ὑπὸ, hypo): Indicates the agent or instrument through which the destruction occurred.
  • the destroyer (ὀλοθρευτοῦ, olothreutou): This significant term (the ho olothreutēs) directly translates "the destroyer." In the Greek Septuagint (LXX), it is specifically used in Exod 12:23 and Heb 11:28 to refer to the agent (often identified as an angel) God sent to kill the firstborn of Egypt during the Passover. This implies an authorized, divine agent of judgment, acting on God's behalf. It underscores that God, through this agent, meted out the judgment.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Nor grumble, as some of them did: This phrase directly equates potential grumbling in Corinth with the specific sin of murmuring by the Israelites. It highlights a common human tendency to complain against God or His provision, revealing a lack of faith and patience. The historical precedent gives weight to the warning.
• and were destroyed by the destroyer: This part unequivocally states the outcome of such grumbling – destruction – and names the specific divine instrument. It connects the action (grumbling) with its severe consequence (perishing) by a divinely appointed agent, thereby reinforcing the seriousness of the warning for the Corinthian believers. It clarifies that this destruction was not accidental but a targeted act of judgment.

1 Corinthians 10 10 Bonus section

The "destroyer" (olothreutes) mentioned in 1 Cor 10:10 carries significant weight. Its primary Old Testament reference, especially in the Septuagint (LXX) translation of Exod 12:23, ties it directly to the angel of the Lord who executed judgment on the firstborn of Egypt during the Passover. This emphasizes that the "destroyer" is not some chaotic, impersonal force, but an authorized agent of God's sovereign will and judgment. While some New Testament passages like Rev 9:11 refer to an "angel of the bottomless pit" named "Apollyon" (Destroyer), in the context of 1 Corinthians 10, the olothreutes functions purely as an instrument of divine wrath against the Israelites' disobedience and unbelief. This shows the continuity of God's character and justice across testaments: covenant people are held accountable, and sin incurs real consequences, orchestrated by God Himself.

1 Corinthians 10 10 Commentary

1 Corinthians 10:10 serves as a powerful concluding warning in Paul's series of didactic examples from Israel's wilderness experience. It singles out grumbling, a seemingly lesser sin compared to idolatry or immorality, yet one with equally dire consequences, including divine destruction. This is crucial because grumbling often stems from unbelief, a dissatisfaction with God's sovereignty and provision. Paul vividly connects the Corinthian's potential murmuring to the Israelites' destructive discontent. The "destroyer" highlights that judgment for such behavior is not incidental but a direct, divinely sanctioned act, just as during the Exodus Passover or later plagues in Numbers. For believers, this means a consistent attitude of thankfulness and trust, even in challenging circumstances, is paramount, guarding against the spiritual poison of discontent which undermines faith and invites divine displeasure.