King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 10:8 Mean?

1 Corinthians 10:8 in the King James Version says “Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.”

1 Corinthians 10:8 · KJV

Context

6

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. our: Gr. our figures

7

Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

8

Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

9

Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

Read 1 Corinthians 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does our sexualized culture make sexual purity seem unrealistic or extreme?
  2. What connection exists between sexual immorality and idolatry (worship of pleasure, self, etc.) in your life?
  3. How can you cultivate holy fear of God's judgment while resting in Christ's forgiveness?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
μηδὲ1 of 14

“Neither”

G3366

but not, not even; in a continued negation, nor

ἐπόρνευσαν2 of 14

“committed”

G4203

to act the harlot, i.e., (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry

καθώς3 of 14

“as”

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

τινες4 of 14

“some”

G5100

some or any person or object

αὐτῶν5 of 14

“of them”

G846

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

ἐπόρνευσαν6 of 14

“committed”

G4203

to act the harlot, i.e., (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry

καὶ7 of 14

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἔπεσον8 of 14

“fell”

G4098

to fall (literally or figuratively)

ἐν9 of 14

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

μιᾷ10 of 14
G1520

one

ἡμέρᾳ11 of 14

“day”

G2250

day, i.e., (literally) the time space between dawn and dark, or the whole 24 hours (but several days were usually reckoned by the jews as inclusive of

εἴκοσι12 of 14

“and twenty”

G1501

a score

τρεῖς13 of 14

“three”

G5140

"three"

χιλιάδες.14 of 14

“thousand”

G5505

one thousand ("chiliad")

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 10:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 10:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 25:1-91 Corinthians 6:18Psalms 106:291 Corinthians 6:9Revelation 2:14

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