1 Corinthians 10:1: Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea.
We are going to see another area of liberty illustrated through the nation Israel. “Moreover, brethren” ties into the last verse of chapter 9. Paul had just been saying that he did not want to be disapproved at the judgment seat of Christ, but he wanted to receive a reward.
“I would not that ye should be ignorant.” When Paul writes that, you can be sure that the brethren were ignorant or unaware of something he is going to explain to them.
The church in Corinth was a mixed church; that is, it was made up of both Jews and Gentiles. Today a Jewish Christian is somewhat unusual, but in that day a Gentile Christian was more unusual since the first Christians were Jews.
When Paul says, “All our fathers,” he is speaking to the Jewish part of the congregation. They, along with Paul, were Israelites and shared the same history.
“Our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea” refers, of course, to the time when the people of Israel were escaping from Egyptian bondage and crossed the Red Sea. 1
Application
- Do you remember a time in your past when you had to escape personal oppression?
- How did God deliver you? Did He use someone else to lead you into His light?
Thought to Share
To be spiritually ignorant is to be unaware of the greatness of God. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Lord, please enrich my life by teaching me more about the spiritual fathers of my faith.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (1 Corinthians) (electronic ed., Vol. 44). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
