Paul warns from Israel's wilderness history that having privileges does not protect against failure. No temptation is beyond what can be endured, and God provides a way out. Believers must flee idolatry.
1 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 ;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea ;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat ;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink : for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them : and that Rock was Christ .
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased : for they were overthrown in the wilderness .
6 Now these things were our examples , to the intent we should not lust after evil things , as they also lusted .
7 Neither be ye idolaters , as were some of them ; as it is written , The people sat down to eat and drink , and rose up to play .
8 Neither let us commit fornication , as some of them committed , and fell in one day three and twenty thousand .
9 Neither let us tempt Christ , as some of them also tempted , and were destroyed of serpents .
10 Neither murmur ye , as some of them also murmured , and were destroyed of the destroyer .
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples : and they are written for our admonition , upon whom the ends of the world are come .
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall .
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man : but God is faithful , who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able ; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape , that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore , my dearly beloved , flee from idolatry .
15 I speak as to wise men ; judge ye what I say .
16 The cup of blessing which we bless , is it not the communion of the blood of Christ ? The bread which we break , is it not the communion of the body of Christ ?
17 For we being many are one bread , and one body : for we are all partakers of that one bread .
18 Behold Israel after the flesh : are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar ?
19 What say I then ? that the idol is any thing , or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing ?
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice , they sacrifice to devils , and not to God : and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils .
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord , and the cup of devils : ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table , and of the table of devils .
22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy ? are we stronger than he ?
23 All things are lawful for me , but all things are not expedient : all things are lawful for me , but all things edify not .
24 Let no man seek his own , but every man another's wealth.
25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles , that eat , asking no question for conscience sake :
26 For the earth is the Lord's , and the fulness thereof .
27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go ; whatsoever is set before you , eat , asking no question for conscience sake .
28 But if any man say unto you , This is offered in sacrifice unto idols , eat not for his sake that shewed it , and for conscience sake : for the earth is the Lord's , and the fulness thereof :
29 Conscience , I say , not thine own , but of the other : for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience ?
30 For if I by grace be a partaker , why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks ?
31 Whether therefore ye eat , or drink , or whatsoever ye do , do all to the glory of God .
32 Give none offence , neither to the Jews , nor to the Gentiles , nor to the church of God :
33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit , but the profit of many , that they may be saved .