1 Corinthians 10:9
ESV
We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents,
NIV
We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.
NASB
Nor are we to put the Lord to the test, as some of them did, and were killed by the snakes.
CSB
Let us not test Christ as some of them did and were destroyed by snakes.
NLT
Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites.
KJV
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
NKJV
nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;
What does 1 Corinthians 10:9 mean?
Paul continues to present examples of God's discipline of the generation of Israelites who died in the wilderness. These are given to demonstrate the fact that God can, and will, bring earthly consequences to His people as a result of their sin. In the previous verses, Paul has referenced God's killing of tens of thousands of Israelites for craving what they had not been given, and for participating in idol worship and sexual immorality.Now Paul warns the Corinthians not to put Christ to the test in questioning his leading in their lives. That's what some of the Israelites did when God led the nation to go one way and not another through the wilderness (Numbers 21:4–6). They complained against both God and Moses, bitterly questioning God's plan and His provision for them. In this case, God sent serpents in among the people and many died. That incident, itself, served as a foreshadowing of the ministry of Jesus Christ and His role in saving mankind (John 3:14).
