Ἢ παραζηλοῦμεν τὸν Κύριον; μὴ ἰσχυρότεροι αὐτοῦ ἐσμεν; (1 Corinthians 10:22)
Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?
The Rhetorical Force of the Question
In 1 Corinthians 10:22, Paul concludes a solemn warning with two piercing rhetorical questions: ἢ παραζηλοῦμεν τὸν Κύριον; and μὴ ἰσχυρότεροι αὐτοῦ ἐσμεν;. The particle ἢ (“or”) connects this verse to the preceding admonitions about idolatry, forcing the reader to confront the logical consequence of participating in pagan rituals. The verb παραζηλοῦμεν (present active indicative of παραζηλόω) means “to provoke to jealousy,” recalling Old Testament language where Israel’s idolatry stirred YHWH’s jealousy (cf. Deut 32:21). This is not mere emotion but covenantal indignation—a divine response to betrayal. Paul’s question thus carries a prophetic edge: by sharing in the table of idols, believers risk reenacting Israel’s rebellion. The implied answer is clear—such provocation is unthinkable.
Jealousy and Covenant Fidelity
The description of the Lord as ὁ Κύριος in 1 Corinthians 10:22 underscores His covenantal authority. Divine jealousy is not petty insecurity but holy protectiveness over a sacred relationship. In biblical theology, God’s jealousy is the zeal of exclusive love—a consuming passion that tolerates no rivals. To provoke this jealousy is to challenge His rightful claim over His people. The verse therefore reframes idolatry not as intellectual error but as spiritual adultery. When believers flirt with the world’s altars—whether literal or metaphorical—they affront the covenant faithfulness of the Lord. The weight of Paul’s warning lies not in abstract theology but in relational betrayal: to share a table with idols is to wound the One who invites us to His table.
“Are We Stronger Than He?”: The Folly of Arrogance
The second rhetorical question, μὴ ἰσχυρότεροι αὐτοῦ ἐσμεν; (“Are we stronger than He?”), sharpens the warning with biting irony. The particle μή anticipates a negative answer. The verb ἐσμεν (present indicative of εἰμί) grounds the question in the present, as though Paul were saying, “Do we now presume to have power over God?” The adjective ἰσχυρότεροι (comparative of ἰσχυρός) means “stronger” or “more powerful,” and its placement emphasizes absurdity. The implication is that provoking the Lord is not only sinful—it is suicidal. Those who attempt to test divine patience place themselves in direct opposition to omnipotence. The rhetorical strategy is masterful: Paul moves from the emotional (provoking jealousy) to the logical (challenging strength), leaving his audience cornered by conscience.
Reverence Before the Jealous God
The message of 1 Corinthians 10:22 transcends its immediate context of idolatrous feasts. It warns against every form of spiritual arrogance that treats God’s holiness lightly. Modern believers may not bow to idols of stone, yet they may still provoke the Lord by giving their devotion to competing loyalties—power, pleasure, ideology, or pride. The verse insists on a posture of humility before divine sovereignty. We cannot manipulate or domesticate the Lord. To provoke Him is to presume equality with Him; to avoid provocation is to remember that He alone is Lord. This verse calls the Church to recover reverence—to tremble at the thought of trifling with grace. The antidote to arrogance is awe. To stand rightly before God is to acknowledge that He is jealous for our love and infinitely stronger than our rebellion.
