1 Corinthians 10 11

1 Corinthians 10:11 kjv

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.

1 Corinthians 10:11 nkjv

Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

1 Corinthians 10:11 niv

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.

1 Corinthians 10:11 esv

Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.

1 Corinthians 10:11 nlt

These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.

1 Corinthians 10 verses

1 Corinthians 10 11 Meaning

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.

1 Corinthians 10 11 Context

This verse is part of a larger argument by Paul in 1 Corinthians 10 concerning the responsible exercise of Christian freedom. He is addressing the Corinthian believers' tendency to engage in practices that were permissible for Christians but linked to pagan idolatry and immorality, specifically referencing their participation in meals at pagan temples. Paul draws heavily on the history of Israel in the wilderness as a case study. He reminds them that even though Israel had access to God’s blessings (like the cloud, the sea passage, spiritual food, and drink from the Rock, all of which he identifies with Christ), many of them fell due to disobedience, idolatry, sexual immorality, testing God, and grumbling. This chapter serves as a crucial warning against complacency and a call to self-examination in light of their spiritual heritage and the imminent "end times."

1 Corinthians 10 11 Word Analysis

• νῦν (nun): Now. A temporal indicator, emphasizing the present relevance of the past events being discussed. It marks a transition from describing Israel's history to drawing its application for the current generation of believers.
• δὲ (de): But, and. A conjunctive particle used here to connect the preceding statement (examples) with the following statement (written for us).
• ταῦτα (tauta): These things. Refers specifically to the events of Israel's experience in the wilderness that Paul has just recounted.
• συμβέβηκεν (sumbebēken): Happened, occurred by chance. The perfect tense indicates a completed action whose results have ongoing significance. While it can mean "happened," in this context it emphasizes the divine orchestration behind these events for instructional purposes.
• εἰς (eis): Into, as. Here it means "as" or "by way of." It introduces the purpose of these occurrences.
• ὑποτύπωσιν (hypotypōsin): Example, pattern, outline. A significant word referring to something drawn as a sketch or pattern. It signifies that these historical events serve as illustrative models, offering a template of both divine action and human failure.
• καὶ (kai): And. Connects the two purposes of these events.
• γράφη (graphē): Written. Refers to the authoritative Scriptures.
• δι’ (di'): Through, because of. Indicates the means or agency by which something is done.
• ἡμῶν (hēmōn): Our. Possessive pronoun, connecting the written warnings directly to the Corinthian believers and by extension, all believers.
• τῶν (tōn): The. Definite article.
• ἐπὶ (epi): Upon.
• τὰ (ta): The. Neuter plural article.
• τέλη (telē): Ends, consummations, fulfillment. Refers to the culmination of history, often understood in the New Testament context as the events surrounding Christ’s return and the completion of God's redemptive plan.
• τῶν (tōn): Of the.
• αἰώνων (aiōnōn): Ages, epochs, dispensations. Plural form, suggesting multiple periods or eras within history, culminating in the "end of the ages." This points to the Christian era as the climax of redemptive history.
• ἐστίν (estin): Is.

Grouped Analysis:

• "These things happened as examples" (ταῦτα συμβέβηκεν εἰς ὑποτύπωσιν): The historical experiences of Israel are presented not as random occurrences but as divinely appointed patterns for learning. The use of hypotypōsin highlights that these are exemplary models, not merely events but illustrations of God's faithfulness and judgment, and the consequences of human choices.
• "written down as warnings for us" (γράφη δι’ ἡμῶν): This clause underscores the purposeful preservation of these narratives within Scripture for the specific benefit of subsequent generations of believers.
• "on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come" (ἐπὶ τὰ τέλη τῶν αἰώνων ἐστίν): This phrase "the end of the ages" denotes that the Corinthian Christians were living in the final epoch of redemptive history, the era of fulfillment marked by the coming of Christ and His kingdom. This makes the warnings of past history particularly pertinent and urgent for them.

1 Corinthians 10 11 Bonus Section

The concept of "the fulfillment of the ages" (τὰ τέλη τῶν αἰώνων) is significant. In Jewish thought, the "ages" referred to distinct periods, with the coming age being an era of unparalleled divine intervention and blessing. For Christians, this final age was inaugurated by Christ's first coming and will be consummated at His second coming. Paul's assertion here links Israel's checkered past directly to the present spiritual reality of the church, positioning them as the spiritual successors who must learn from the experiences of their physical ancestors. This doctrine emphasizes that the history recorded in the Old Testament is not merely ancient history but a living, instructive part of God’s unfolding plan, directly relevant to the decisions and spiritual state of New Testament believers. The parallel between Israel’s wilderness journey and the Christian walk (spiritual sustenance, facing temptations, journeying toward a promised rest) is a strong thematic link throughout the chapter.

1 Corinthians 10 11 Commentary

The historical failures of the Israelites in the wilderness serve as potent, written exemplars for the church. These events were not isolated incidents but were deliberately preserved in Scripture as guides and warnings for believers throughout history, especially those living in the end times. Paul emphasizes that God's actions toward Israel provide instructive parallels, teaching believers how to navigate temptations, idolatry, and disobedience, so they do not repeat the same destructive patterns. The temporal marker "Now" and the phrase "on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come" underscore the immediate relevance and urgency of these lessons for the church living in the final era before Christ's return. The ultimate purpose is to foster self-discipline, dependence on God, and unwavering faithfulness.