1 Corinthians 10:5
But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
Original Language Analysis
ἀλλ'
But
G235
ἀλλ'
But
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πλείοσιν
many
G4119
πλείοσιν
many
Strong's:
G4119
Word #:
5 of 14
more in quantity, number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion
αὐτῶν
of them
G846
αὐτῶν
of them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εὐδόκησεν
was
G2106
εὐδόκησεν
was
Strong's:
G2106
Word #:
7 of 14
to think well of, i.e., approve (an act); specially, to approbate (a person or thing)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεός
God
G2316
θεός
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
9 of 14
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
κατεστρώθησαν
they were overthrown
G2693
κατεστρώθησαν
they were overthrown
Strong's:
G2693
Word #:
10 of 14
to strew down, i.e., (by implication) to prostrate (slay)
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
Cross References
Hebrews 3:17But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?Jude 1:5I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.Numbers 14:37Even those men that did bring up the evil report upon the land, died by the plague before the LORD.Psalms 106:26Therefore he lifted up his hand against them, to overthrow them in the wilderness:Psalms 95:11Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.
Historical Context
Numbers 14 records Israel's refusal to enter Canaan after the spies' negative report. God decreed that the entire generation (20 years and older) would die in the wilderness over 40 years. This became the paradigmatic warning against unbelief (Psalm 95, Hebrews 3-4). Paul uses this well-known judgment to warn Corinthian believers against presuming on grace while indulging sin.
Questions for Reflection
- What specific sins might make you "overthrown in the wilderness" despite outward Christian participation?
- How do you reconcile God's grace with His serious warnings about judgment for persistent sin?
- Are there areas where you've confused religious activity with genuine transformation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness—After emphasizing all four times (vv. 1-4), Paul now introduces the sobering but. Despite universal participation in redemptive events, God was ouk eudokēsen (οὐκ εὐδόκησεν, "not well pleased") with many (actually most—only Joshua and Caleb of the exodus generation entered Canaan, Numbers 14:30).
The phrase overthrown in the wilderness (katestrotē, κατεστρώθησαν, literally "strewn about" or "scattered") evokes the image of corpses littering the desert (Numbers 14:29, Hebrews 3:17). This wasn't natural death but divine judgment—thanatōsis following covenant violation. Their bones testified to the deadly seriousness of covenant unfaithfulness.
Paul's warning to Corinth: sacramental participation doesn't override moral accountability. The church today can be "baptized," partake of communion, yet remain under divine displeasure due to unrepentant sin. External religiosity without heart transformation leads to spiritual death, just as it did in the wilderness.