1Cor 10:5-11 | RWP | e4.org | With most of them ( εν τοις πλειοσιν αυτων ). "A mournful understatement," for only two (Caleb and Joshua) actually reached the Promised Land ( ). All the rest were rejected or αδοκιμο ( ). Were overthrown ( κατεστρωθησαν ). First aorist passive indicative of καταστρωννυμ , old compound verb, to stretch or spread down as of a couch, to lay low (Euripides), as if by a hurricane. Powerful picture of the desolation wrought by the years of disobedience and wanderings in the desert by this verb quoted from .

‏ 1 Corinthians 10:5-11

With most of them ( εν τοις πλειοσιν αυτων ). "A mournful understatement," for only two (Caleb and Joshua) actually reached the Promised Land (Nu 14:30-32). All the rest were rejected or αδοκιμο (9:27).

Were overthrown ( κατεστρωθησαν ). First aorist passive indicative of καταστρωννυμ, old compound verb, to stretch or spread down as of a couch, to lay low (Euripides), as if by a hurricane. Powerful picture of the desolation wrought by the years of disobedience and wanderings in the desert by this verb quoted from Nu 14:16.

Were our examples ( τυπο ημων εγενηθησαν ). More exactly, examples for us (objective genitive ημων, not subjective genitive, of us). The word τυπο (our types) comes from τυπτω, to strike, and meant originally the mark of a blow as the print of the nails (Joh 20:25), then a figure formed by a blow like images of the gods (Ac 7:43), then an example to be imitated (1Pe 5:3; 1Ti 4:12; 1Th 1:7; 2Th 3:9), or to be avoided as here, and finally a type in a doctrinal sense (Ro 5:14; Heb 9:24).

To the intent we should not lust after ( εις το μη εινα ημας επιθυμητας ). Purpose expressed by εις with the articular infinitive το εινα and the accusative of general reference with επιθυμητας (lusters) in the predicate.

Neither be ye idolaters ( μηδε ειδωλολατρα γινεσθε ). Literally, stop becoming idolaters, implying that some of them had already begun to be. The word ειδωλολατρης seems to be a Christian formation to describe the Christian view. Eating τα ειδωλοθυτα might become a stepping-stone to idolatry in some instances.

Drink ( πειν ). Short form for πιειν, sometimes even πιν occurs (Robertson, Grammar, p. 204).

To play ( παιζειν ). This old verb to play like a child occurs nowhere else in the N.T., but is common in the LXX and it is quoted here from Ex 32:6. In idolatrous festivals like that witnessed by Moses when he saw the people singing and dancing around the golden calf (Ex 32:18f.).

Neither let us commit fornication ( μηδε πορνευωμεν ). More exactly, And let us cease practicing fornication as some were already doing (1Co 6:11; 7:2). The connection between idolatry and fornication was very close (see Jowett, Epistles of Paul, II, p. 70) and see about Baal-Peor (Nu 25:1-9). It was terribly true of Corinth where prostitution was part of the worship of Aphrodite.

In one day ( μια ημερα ). An item that adds to horror of the plague in Nu 25:9 where the total number is 24,000 instead of 23,000 as here for one day.

Neither let us tempt the Lord ( μηδε εκπειραζωμεν τον Κυριον ). So the best MSS. instead of Christ. This compound occurs in LXX and in N.T. always about Christ (here and Mt 4:7; Lu 4:12; 10:25). Let us cease sorely ( εκ- ) tempting the Lord by such conduct.

And perished by the serpents ( κα υπο των οφεων απωλλυντο ). Vivid imperfect middle (cf. aorist middle απωλοντο in verse 10), were perishing day by day. The story is told in Nu 21:6. The use of υπο for agent with the intransitive middle of απολλυμ is regular. Note the Ionic uncontracted genitive plural οφεων rather than οφων.

Neither murmur ye ( μηδε γογγυζετε ). Implying that some of them were murmuring. For this late picturesque onomatopoetic verb see on Mt 20:11. The reference seems to be to Nu 16:41f. after the punishment of Korah.

By the destroyer ( υπο του ολοθρευτου ). This word, from ολοθρευω (late verb from ολεθρος, destruction) occurs only here, so far as known. The reference is to the destroying angel of Ex 12:23 ( ο ολοθρευων ).

Now these things happened unto them ( ταυτα δε συνεβαινον εκεινοις ). Imperfect tense because they happened from time to time.

By way of example ( τυπικως ). Adverb in sense of τυπο in verse 6. Only instance of the adverb except in ecclesiastical writers after this time, but adjective τυπικος occurs in a late papyrus.

For our admonition ( προς νουθεσιαν ημων ). Objective genitive ( ημων ) again. Νουθεσια is late word from νουθετεω (see on Ac 20:31; 1Th 5:12, 14) for earlier νουθετησις and νουθετια.

The ends of the ages have come ( τα τελη των αιωνων κατηντηκεν ). Cf. Heb 9:26 η συντελεια των αιωνων, the consummation of the ages (also Mt 13:40). The plural seems to point out how one stage succeeds another in the drama of human history. Κατηντηκεν is perfect active indicative of κατανταω, late verb, to come down to (see on Ac 16:1). Does Paul refer to the second coming of Christ as in 7:26? In a sense the ends of the ages like a curtain have come down to all of us.