What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 10:26? The earth • In the simplest terms, Paul begins by pointing to the entire created world we stand on. Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth,” grounding the idea that every mountain, ocean, and patch of soil comes from Him. • Psalm 95:4-5 echoes, “In His hand are the depths of the earth… The sea is His, for He made it,” reminding us that geography, ecosystems, and natural wonders are divine handiwork, not random accidents. • Because God fashioned the earth, He alone sets its purpose and boundaries; we merely discover what He has already declared good (Genesis 1:31). is the Lord’s • Ownership is the focus here. Deuteronomy 10:14: “Behold, to the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, and the earth and everything in it.” Nothing is outside His claim. • Job 41:11 poses God’s rhetorical question, “Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Everything under heaven is Mine.” The Creator owes no rent; we are tenants. • This truth shapes stewardship: since He owns it all, we manage resources, time, and talents for His glory, not for self-centered gain (1 Peter 4:10). and the fullness • “Fullness” points to every resource and life form the earth contains—fields, forests, animals, culture, and even human economies. Psalm 50:10-12: “Every beast of the forest is Mine… If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is Mine, and the fullness thereof.” • Acts 17:24-25 underlines that God “gives to all men life and breath and everything else.” Our breathing, gifting, and productivity are part of His “fullness.” • When we enjoy food, art, or science, we’re tasting God’s abundance; thanksgiving turns ordinary moments into worship (1 Timothy 4:4-5). thereof • This single word sweeps in anything we might think is exempt. Colossians 1:16-17 affirms, “All things were created through Him and for Him… in Him all things hold together.” From galaxies to microbes, nothing escapes His oversight. • Romans 11:36 sums it up: “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.” Our relationships, careers, and possessions fall under divine ownership. • Therefore, ethical choices—how we handle money, creation care, or social justice—flow from recognizing that every square inch belongs to God. summary Paul cites Psalm 24:1 to remind the Corinthians (and us) that God owns the real estate, the resources, and the results. Knowing “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof” fuels gratitude, counters greed, and frames all of life as stewardship under the rightful King. |
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