John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 10:22

"Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?" — 1 Corinthians 10:22 (ASV)

Do we provoke the Lord? Having laid down the doctrine, he assumes a more vehement tone, observing that what was a most atrocious offense against God was regarded as nothing, or, at least, was looked upon as a very trivial error. The Corinthians wanted the liberty they took to be considered excusable, as none of us willingly allows himself to be found at fault; on the contrary, we seek one subterfuge after another to shelter ourselves.

Now Paul says, and not without reason, that in this way we wage war against God. For God requires nothing more from us than this—that we adhere strictly to everything He declares in His word. Do not those, then, who use subterfuges so that they may be free to transgress God’s commandment, arm themselves openly against God? This is why the Prophet denounces that curse against all those who call evil, good, and darkness, light (Isaiah 5:20).

Are we stronger? He warns them how dangerous it is to provoke God—because no one can do this except to his own ruin. Among humans, the outcome of war, as they say, is uncertain; but to contend with God is nothing short of voluntarily courting destruction.

Accordingly, if we fear having God as an enemy, let us shudder at the thought of making excuses for manifest sins, that is, whatever stands opposed to His word. Let us also shudder at the thought of questioning those things that He Himself has pronounced—for this is nothing less than to rise up against heaven in the manner of the giants (Genesis 11:4).