1 Corinthians 10:1
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;
Original Language Analysis
θέλω
I would
G2309
θέλω
I would
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
2 of 21
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
ἀγνοεῖν
should be ignorant
G50
ἀγνοεῖν
should be ignorant
Strong's:
G50
Word #:
5 of 21
not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore (through disinclination)
ἀδελφοί
brethren
G80
ἀδελφοί
brethren
Strong's:
G80
Word #:
6 of 21
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like g0001)
ὅτι
how that
G3754
ὅτι
how that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
7 of 21
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πατέρες
fathers
G3962
πατέρες
fathers
Strong's:
G3962
Word #:
9 of 21
a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote)
ὑπὸ
under
G5259
ὑπὸ
under
Strong's:
G5259
Word #:
12 of 21
under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
διὰ
through
G1223
διὰ
through
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
18 of 21
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Exodus 14:29But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.Psalms 105:39He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.Hebrews 11:29By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.Psalms 78:53And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.Psalms 66:6He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him.Nehemiah 9:19Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go.Exodus 40:34Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.1 Corinthians 14:38But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.Deuteronomy 1:33Who went in the way before you, to search you out a place to pitch your tents in, in fire by night, to shew you by what way ye should go, and in a cloud by day.Joshua 4:23For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:
Historical Context
Paul wrote 1 Corinthians around 55 CE from Ephesus to address divisions and moral failures in Corinth. This section responds to questions about eating meat offered to idols (8:1ff). Some Corinthians, confident in their "knowledge," attended pagan temple meals, assuming their Christian status protected them. Paul uses Israel's wilderness rebellion (Numbers 13-14, 25; Exodus 32) to warn against presumption.
Questions for Reflection
- What spiritual privileges do you possess (baptism, church membership, biblical knowledge) that might tempt you toward presumption rather than humble dependence?
- How does viewing yourself as part of Israel's redemptive story change your understanding of God's Old Testament warnings?
- In what areas of life are you relying on past spiritual experiences rather than present faithfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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—Paul introduces Israel's exodus as typoi (τύποι, "types" or "examples") for Christian experience. The nephele (νεφέλη, "cloud") represents God's protective presence (Exodus 13:21-22), while passing through the Red Sea prefigures baptism.
Paul addresses Corinthian confidence in sacramental security—they assumed baptism and the Lord's Supper guaranteed salvation regardless of behavior. By stating I would not that ye should be ignorant, he signals a corrective teaching. All Israel experienced the cloud and sea-crossing, yet many perished in the wilderness. Privilege doesn't guarantee perseverance.
The phrase our fathers includes Gentile believers in Israel's covenant history, showing the church's continuity with Old Testament Israel. Christian identity is rooted in redemptive history, making Israel's failures urgent warnings for the church.