Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
Tempt Christ. So Irenaeus (264). Delta G f g, Vulgate, 'Aleph (') B C read 'Lord;' A, from Numbers 21:5, 'God.' As "Christ" was referred to in one of Israel's five privileges (1 Corinthians 10:4), so He is mentioned in one of Israel's five corresponding sins. "Christ" or 'Lord' (i:e., the Second Person, Exodus 17:2; Exodus 17:7) answers to "God," Numbers 21:5; so "Christ" must be "God" (cf. Romans 14:11 with Isaiah 45:22-23). Israel's complainings were temptings of Christ, the "Angel" of the covenant (Exodus 23:20-21; Exodus 32:34; Isaiah 63:9). Though they drank of "that Rock ... Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:4), they put Him further to the proof by doubting could He supply water (Numbers 20:3-13). Though eating the meat (manna) that typified Christ, "the bread of life," they cried, "Our soul loatheth this light bread." Being punished by the fiery serpents, they were saved by the brasen serpent, the emblem of Christ (cf. John 3:14; John 8:56; Hebrews 11:26). The Greek х ekpeirazoomen (G1598)] "tempt" means try, so as to wear out by unbelief, Christ's long-suffering (cf. Numbers 14:22; Psalms 95:8-9). The Corinthians were provoking God's long-suffering by verging toward idolatry, through overweening confidence in their knowledge (1 Corinthians 10:22).