A continuation of the exhortation to self-denial and caution, vs. 1-13. Ex- press prohibition of joining in the sacrificial feasts of the heathen, vs. 14-22. Particular directions as to the use of meat sacrificed to idols, vs. 23-33.
The necessity of self-denial argued from the case of the Israelites. Vs. 1-13.
At the close of the preceding chapter the apostle had exhorted his readers to self-denial and effort, in order to secure the crown of life. He here enforces that exhortation, by showing how disastrous had been the want of such self control in the case of the Israelites. They had been highly favoured as well as we. They had been miraculously guided by the pillar of cloud ; they had been led through tlie Red Sea ; they had been fed with manna from heaven, and with water from the rock ; and yet the great majority of them perished, vs. 1-5. This is a solemn warning to Christians not to give way to temptation, as the Israelites did, v. 6. That is, not to be led into idolatry, v. 7, nor into fornication, v. 8, nor into tempting Christ, V. 9, nor into murmuring, v. 10. In all these points the experience of the Israelites was a warning to Christians ; and therefore those who thought themselves secure should take heed lest they fall, vs. 11. 12. God is merciful, and would not suffer them to be too severely tempted, v. 13.
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 ;
Moreover. The true reading is not (Se) moreover^ but (yap) for^ which marks the connection with what precedes. ' We must use self-denial and effort ; /or, brethren, our fathers, not- withstanding all they experienced, perished.' I would not have you ignora7it^ Rom. 1, 10. 11, 25, a formula used when something specially important is to be presented. That (not how that). All our fathers. The emphasis is on all. 'All our fathers left Egypt ; Caleb and Joshua alone entered the promised land.' AH run, but one obtains the prize. The his- tory of the church affords no incident better suited to enforce the necessity of guarding against false security, than that se-