1 Corinthians 10:22 Meaning and Explanation
“Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul asks pointedly whether they mean to provoke the Lord's jealousy, as if they were stronger than He.
What Does 1 Corinthians 10:22 Mean?
Paul presses with two searching questions. Do they intend to 'provoke the Lord to jealousy,' the very sin that roused God against Israel (Deuteronomy 32:21)? And do they imagine they are 'stronger than he,' able to court such danger without consequence? The questions expose the folly of presuming on God's patience.
God's jealousy here is not petty but the proper response of holy love to a divided heart, as a faithful spouse rightly grieves betrayal. To trifle with idolatry is to test the One who cannot be overpowered. Paul means to humble the overconfident in Corinth. The right posture before such a God is reverence, not bravado. The believer who remembers God's strength and his own weakness will keep close to the Lord rather than provoke Him.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 10:22
What does 1 Corinthians 10:22 mean?
Paul asks pointedly whether they mean to provoke the Lord's jealousy, as if they were stronger than He.