Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 10:5

"Howbeit with most of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness." — 1 Corinthians 10:5 (ASV)

Regarding the phrase But with many of them, and so on, this refers to their conduct. They rebelled and sinned, and were destroyed. The apostle's purpose here is to remind them that although they enjoyed so many privileges, they were still destroyed. Thus, he admonishes the Corinthians that their privileges did not constitute an absolute security from danger, and that they should be cautious against the indulgence of sin.

The phrase translated here as "with many" (Greek: en tois pleiosin) should have been translated "with most of them." Literally, it means "with the many," signifying that God was not well pleased with the greater part of them; that is, He was pleased with only a few of them.

The statement Was not well pleased means He was offended by their ingratitude and rebellion.

Concerning the words, For they were overthrown, and so on: this means they were destroyed by pestilence, by wars, or died by natural and common diseases, so that they did not reach the land of Canaan. Only two men of that generation, Caleb and Joshua, were permitted to enter the land of promise (Numbers 14:29–30).

It should be noted: 'many' in this passage means 'most'; 'overthrown' means 'destroyed'. Their destruction occurred in the wilderness, as referenced in Numbers 14:29-35; Numbers 26:64–65; Hebrews 3:17; and Jude 1:5.