1 Corinthians 10:6

Were. Literally, “became.”

Our examples. Or, “examples for us.”

Examples. That is, examples for us to shun. The things that befell the Israelites in their journey from Egypt to Canaan were illustrations of what will surely happen if His people, who enjoy such abundant blessings and favors on their journey toward the heavenly Canaan, make the same mistakes and disobey God as did the host of Israel in the wilderness. Punishment will come to Christians who disobey the Lord just as surely as it came to Israel for their rebellious acts. Knowledge of God that is greater than that possessed by others does not grant license to ignore any of God’s requirements. On the contrary, greater knowledge brings greater responsibility for strict adherence to all God’s instructions. Disobedience under such circumstances is much more serious than in the case of those who do not have so much light (see Luke 12:47, 48; James 4:17).

Lust. The clause reads literally, “that ye might not become lusters after evil things.” The Israelites were habitually governed by desire. They were not guided by calm reason, but by the promptings of unsanctified passions and appetites (see Ex. 16:3; Num. 11:4, 5). There is danger that God’s people will repeat the error of Israel in this respect; this is evident from the warning found in such passages as Matt. 24:37-39; Luke 17:26-30.

Lusted. Gr. epithumed, “to desire earnestly,” “to have an inordinate desire for,” “to desire something beyond the limit of that which is legitimate.”