Chapter 10 includes two of the most quoted verses in the entire Bible. One to help fight against temptation (vs13) and the other to give the proper perspective on why we should do anything (vs31). But how often do we consider the context in which these verses come to us? I'm guessing not very often. So, let's consider the context.
10:13 - The context of this verse is Paul's warning against idolatry. He uses several incidents from the history of the Jewish nation (contained in the OT) to warn against falling into the same types of traps that they did. This list includes the most blatant form of idolatry--that of worshiping an image in the place of God. But it also includes other forms of idolatry--that of sexual immorality, testing the Lord and grumbling. Exactly how each of these is idolatry is something that I will leave for you to meditate on, just know that the heart of each of these sins is the sin of idolatry. Also, each of these areas is very tempting and that is why verse 13 comes in and encourages us to stand firm in the time of temptation knowing that our temptations are not unique (he has just showed how the children of Israel fell to these same types of temptations). The final phrases are very encouraging. God has provided a way of escape in every temptation that He allows, and we are able to bear each temptation. We never have to sin! Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!
10:31 - This is the "life verse" of many and rightly so, but consider again with me the context. The eating and drinking Paul has in mind is related to those things offered to idols. That was apparently quite the "hot topic" in Paul's day. Some were making it a huge deal while others looked down on those who made it such a big deal. Paul brings the glory of God to bear on this situation. Whether you eat that which is offered to idols or not, make sure you are acting in such a way that God is glorified. This charge is something that we still need to this day. God and His glory should be the ultimate governing factors in our lives!
Chapter 11 contains Paul's instructions regarding head coverings for women and the observance of the Lord's Supper. I know that there are differing opinions concerning the idea of head coverings for women in the church. I do not intend to disparage those who hold to a view different from mine, however, I fell I must comment about this since it is a major part of this chapter. The main point, as I see it, that Paul was trying to make here was for wives to demonstrate submission to their husbands. This seems to be clear from the beginning of the chapter as Paul introduces the idea of "headship" among differing relationships and also from vs10 - "a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head." An outward sign of submission in Paul's day was for the wife to wear a head covering. Over time and distance, this external sign of submission has lost its significance, therefore, it seems unnecessary to me to continue to require and external sign of submission that no longer communicates such submission. Ladies, the Bible clearly calls the wife to submit to her husband, therefore if you husband asks you to wear a head covering, then it truly will be a sign of your submission to him (and there are many other ways that you need to demonstrate such submission as well!). If he does not require it of you, this does not mean that you do not have to submit to him, but rather it means that you must search for other ways to demonstrate your submission to him.
I think the most important part of Paul's instruction concerning the Lord's Supper for us today comes in vs28. The observance of the Lord's Supper is certainly a special time, but we must also take care to engage in thorough self-examination before partaking. In light of what our Savior did for us on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin, self-examination that leads to confession and repentance from sin is the proper response!
Chapter 12 is a wonderful chapter dealing with spiritual gifts. Here are some highlights. These gifts are spiritual--they are gifts from the Spirit of God Himself (vs4-5). Every Christian has a spiritual gift or gifts (vs6-7). There is a diversity in the distribution of the spiritual gifts (vs8-10). God is wise in how He distributes these gifts to His children (vs11). All gifts are necessary and significant (vs14-22). Let's praise God for His gifts to His children and seek to use them for the building up of the body of Christ--that's why we have them!
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