1 Corinthians 10:8
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Original Language Analysis
ἐπόρνευσαν
committed
G4203
ἐπόρνευσαν
committed
Strong's:
G4203
Word #:
2 of 14
to act the harlot, i.e., (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry
αὐτῶν
of them
G846
αὐτῶν
of them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
5 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
ἐπόρνευσαν
committed
G4203
ἐπόρνευσαν
committed
Strong's:
G4203
Word #:
6 of 14
to act the harlot, i.e., (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 14
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
1 Corinthians 6:18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.Psalms 106:29Thus they provoked him to anger with their inventions: and the plague brake in upon them.1 Corinthians 6:9Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,Revelation 2:14But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Historical Context
The Baal-peor incident combined idolatry and sexual sin—Moabite women seduced Israelite men into both physical immorality and worship of Baal. This syncretism nearly destroyed Israel before Phinehas's zealous action stayed the plague. Corinth's culture similarly blended religious ritual, sexual activity, and social dining. Paul insists Christians must maintain absolute separation from such compromise.
Questions for Reflection
- How does our sexualized culture make sexual purity seem unrealistic or extreme?
- What connection exists between sexual immorality and idolatry (worship of pleasure, self, etc.) in your life?
- How can you cultivate holy fear of God's judgment while resting in Christ's forgiveness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand—Paul references Israel's sexual immorality with Moabite women at Baal-peor (Numbers 25:1-9). The Israelites joined pagan worship through sexual rituals, provoking God's wrath. The verb porneuōmen (πορνεύωμεν, "commit fornication") covers all sexual immorality, not just prostitution.
Paul states three and twenty thousand died, while Numbers 25:9 records 24,000. This minor discrepancy may reflect that 23,000 died by plague in one day, while others died subsequently, or Paul rounds the number. The emphasis is the swift, devastating judgment: in one day (mia hēmera, μιᾷ ἡμέρᾳ)—divine wrath fell suddenly on covenant breakers.
For Corinth, this warning had urgent application. The city was notorious for sexual immorality, and the church struggled with it (5:1, 6:12-20). Some Corinthians apparently viewed temple prostitution or sexual license as compatible with Christianity. Paul warns: sexual sin joined to idolatry brings swift judgment. God's holiness hasn't changed from Sinai to Corinth.