Chapter
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Verse

1 Corinthians 10:1

ESV For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,
NIV For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea.
NASB For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our fathers were all under the cloud and they all passed through the sea;
CSB Now I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, all passed through the sea,
NLT I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground.
KJV Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
NKJV Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea,

What does 1 Corinthians 10:1 mean?

The previous chapter concluded with Paul's statement about treating his spiritual discipline much as an athlete does his physical training. He continues to keep himself under control to avoid the possibility he would be disqualified. He did not mean by this that he feared he would lose his salvation, but that he could wander into sin and be removed from spiritual success in this life.

Paul turns now to a warning to the Christians in Corinth. The God who disciplined the Israelites in the wilderness for sin is also their God. Paul will warn them of the possibility of being disciplined by God, especially for the sins of worshiping idols and participating in sexual immorality.

Paul begins by pointing to the great blessings the Israelites had received after the exodus from Egypt. All of them passed under the cloud. That is, they travelled through the wilderness under the direction and guidance of the Lord in the form of pillars of cloud and fire that went before them to lead the way. In addition, they all passed through the Red Sea on dry land, making possible their escape from the Egyptian army (Exodus 14:21–28). This was evidence of God's great protection for them.

In a similar way, all Christians experience God's guidance through His Word and the Holy Spirit. We experience His protection, by salvation from sin and hell through faith in Christ.
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