1 Corinthians 10 6

1 Corinthians 10:6 kjv

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

1 Corinthians 10:6 nkjv

Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.

1 Corinthians 10:6 niv

Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.

1 Corinthians 10:6 esv

Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.

1 Corinthians 10:6 nlt

These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did,

1 Corinthians 10 verses

1 Corinthians 10 6 Meaning

This verse states that the experiences and failures of ancient Israel during their wilderness wanderings, despite their divine privileges, were specifically recorded as object lessons and divine blueprints for New Covenant believers. The primary lesson highlighted here is to guard against craving "evil things"—a desire for what is displeasing to God or forbidden—just as the Israelites gave in to such cravings, leading to their downfall and God's displeasure. It serves as a strong warning against spiritual presumption and allowing sinful desires to take root.

1 Corinthians 10 6 Context

The immediate context for 1 Corinthians 10:6 flows directly from 1 Corinthians 10:1-5, where Paul enumerates the spiritual privileges enjoyed by the Israelites in the wilderness (baptism into Moses, spiritual food, spiritual drink from the rock which was Christ) and their subsequent failure despite these blessings. Most of them perished in the wilderness because God was not pleased with them. Paul is addressing the Corinthians' situation, specifically their presumption that their spiritual knowledge and freedom allowed them to participate in idol feasts without harm. He uses Israel's history as a grave warning, reminding them that spiritual advantages do not guarantee immunity from sin or judgment. Historically, Corinth was a wealthy and notoriously immoral port city, saturated with idolatry and sensuality. The believers there were constantly tempted to compromise their Christian walk by participating in pagan cultural practices. Paul employs the Exodus narrative not merely as history, but as typological instruction directly applicable to the challenges faced by the Corinthian church concerning idolatry, immorality, and self-confidence, leading into the specific prohibitions of verses 7-10.

1 Corinthians 10 6 Word analysis

• "Now these things" (Ταῦτα δὲ - Tauta de):
  • Ταῦτα ("These things") refers back explicitly to the historical accounts and outcomes of the Israelites mentioned in 1 Cor 10:1-5, grounding the spiritual warning in factual events.
  • δὲ ("Now" / "but" / "and") serves as a connective particle, indicating a transition from recounting history to applying its lessons for the present. It signals the interpretive thrust of the verse.
• "happened as examples" (τύποι ἐγενήθησαν - typoi egenēthēsan):
  • ἐγενήθησαν ("happened" / "occurred" / "came to be") emphasizes the reality and historicity of the events, implying they unfolded under God's sovereign oversight, thereby fulfilling a purposeful role.
  • τύποι ("examples" / "types" / "patterns") is a crucial term, plural of typos. It means more than mere illustrations; these events are divinely established patterns or pre-figures that reveal enduring principles of God's dealings with humanity. They serve as blueprints or models (in this case, negative ones) that reveal a consistent divine reaction to certain human actions across dispensations. They provide foresight and warning for later generations.
• "for us" (ἡμῶν - hēmōn):
  • This possessive pronoun explicitly identifies the intended audience: "us" believers in the New Covenant. It directly applies the ancient history to the present-day church, highlighting its enduring relevance and instructional value for Christian life and behavior.
• "so that" (εἰς τὸ - eis to):
  • A Greek prepositional phrase expressing purpose. It clearly states the divinely ordained intention behind why these events occurred and why they are preserved in scripture: as a preventative warning.
• "we would not crave" (μὴ εἶναι ἡμᾶς ἐπιθυμητὰς - mē einai hēmas epithymētas):
  • μὴ εἶναι ("not to be") indicates a strong negative imperative, a prohibition against becoming something.
  • ἐπιθυμητὰς ("cravers" / "longers" / "lustful ones") derives from epithymia. While epithymia can be neutral or even positive (e.g., strong desire for God), in the New Testament and especially in contexts of sin, it almost invariably refers to illicit, excessive, or evil desire, often associated with covetousness or lust. It speaks to a deep, intense longing that disobeys God’s boundaries and provisions.
• "evil things" (κακῶν - kakōn):
  • κακῶν ("evil things" / "bad things" / "wickedness") is a general adjective used here substantively to specify the object of sinful desire. It encompasses anything that is morally or spiritually wrong in God's eyes, contrasting with His provision and will. It is an umbrella term for the specific sins (idolatry, immorality, etc.) mentioned immediately after.
• "as they also craved" (καθὼς κἀκεῖνοι ἐπεθύμησαν - kathōs kakeinoi epethymēsan):
  • καθὼς ("just as" / "even as") establishes a direct and unequivocal comparison, emphasizing the identical nature of the temptation and potential sin.
  • κἀκεῖνοι ("they also" / "and those ones") refers specifically to the Israelites in the wilderness.
  • ἐπεθύμησαν ("craved" / "lusted") is the same verb root as epithymētas, placed in the past tense to signify Israel's actual sin of giving in to illicit cravings, specifically alluded to in passages like Num 11.

Word-Group analysis

• "Now these things happened as examples for us": This phrase underlines the purposeful, divinely directed nature of Old Testament history. It transforms historical facts into didactic patterns, stressing that God allowed these events and their recording to serve as a continuous guide and warning for all believers throughout time, bridging the gap between ancient Israel and the New Covenant Church.
• "so that we would not crave evil things": This clarifies the immediate practical purpose. It directly addresses the heart-level temptation, highlighting that the root of Israel's downfall was unholy desires. The warning is profoundly personal, cautioning believers against succumbing to internal cravings that lead to overt sin, whether in idol worship or any form of spiritual rebellion.
• "as they also craved": This comparison functions as both a warning and a stark reminder of human frailty. It serves as a strong call to humility, indicating that if the physically present God could not prevent Israel's fall due to desire, believers with greater light in Christ must still remain vigilant and not overestimate their spiritual standing or immunity to sin.

1 Corinthians 10 6 Bonus section

• The concept of "type" (typos) is profound; it implies a divine pattern. The events in the Old Testament are not just stories, but divinely authored rehearsals of spiritual realities to come, or divine examples to demonstrate timeless principles of human sin and divine judgment. In this case, they are "antitypes" for our "types"—the past serving as an exact imprint for current experiences.
• The phrase "craved evil things" in 1 Cor 10:6 sets up the subsequent four specific examples of Israel’s sin from 1 Cor 10:7-10 (idolatry, sexual immorality, tempting Christ, grumbling). This highlights that discontented cravings are often the root cause for overt sinful actions, warning against the inner attitudes that precede outward transgressions.
• This passage underscores the unity of God's character and His moral standards across both Testaments. Despite the change in covenants, the principles of human faithfulness and the dangers of sinful desire remain consistent. God's holiness demands accountability from all who bear His name.

1 Corinthians 10 6 Commentary

1 Corinthians 10:6 is a foundational statement about the enduring relevance of Old Testament history for the New Testament church. Paul argues that Israel’s journey through the wilderness was not merely a historical account, but a "type" or "pattern" (typos) specifically designed by God to instruct and warn His people across generations. Despite experiencing immense divine favor—God’s visible presence, miraculous provision, and a clear covenant—the vast majority of that generation failed due to various sins. The common thread identified here is "craving evil things" (epithymia). This pervasive discontentment and desire for what God had not provided or what was expressly forbidden ultimately manifested in various specific sins detailed in the subsequent verses: idolatry, sexual immorality, tempting God, and grumbling.

Paul's purpose is to impress upon the Corinthians (and by extension, all believers) that their spiritual privileges in Christ do not make them immune to the same temptations or judgment. The historical parallels serve as a severe caution against spiritual complacency and pride. Just as Israel’s murmuring began with a dissatisfaction of heart, unchecked desires can subtly lead to greater rebellion. This verse urges vigilance over one’s inner longings, emphasizing that the battle against sin often begins with desires that are not aligned with God’s will. To avoid falling like Israel, believers must cultivate contentment in God's provision and vigilantly guard their hearts against lustful, unholy, or discontented cravings.

Practical usage examples:

• Discernment: When a strong desire for something arises that seems outside of God's stated will, pause and consider if it mirrors the "craving" that led Israel astray.
• Contentment: Reflect on daily provisions and blessings, consciously choosing contentment over desires for more or different, especially material or worldly things.
• Self-Control: Recognize the destructive power of unbridled desire and proactively take steps to "put to death" or deny the fleshly cravings before they lead to sin.