John Calvin 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)

But many of them. We now have the reason why the Apostle stated these things previously—so that we might not claim for ourselves any dignity or excellence above them, but might walk in humility and fear, for only in this way will we ensure that we have not been favored in vain with the light of truth and with such an abundance of gracious benefits. “God,” he says, “had chosen them all as his people, but many of them fell from grace. Therefore, let us take heed, lest the same thing should happen to us, being admonished by so many examples, for God will not allow that to go unpunished in us which he punished so severely in them.”

Again, the objection is raised: “If it is true that hypocrites and wicked persons in that age ate spiritual meat, do unbelievers in the present day partake of the reality in the sacraments?” Some, afraid for fear that the unbelief of men should seem to diminish the truth of God, teach that the reality is received by the wicked along with the sign. This fear, however, is unnecessary, for the Lord offers, it is true, to the worthy and to the unworthy what he represents, but not all are capable of receiving it. In the meantime, the sacrament does not change its nature, nor does it lose anything of its efficacy. Thus the manna, in relation to God, was spiritual meat even to unbelievers, but because the mouth of unbelievers was only carnal, they did not eat what was given to them. However, I reserve the fuller discussion of this question for the 11th Chapter.

For they were overthrown. Proof is here provided, by citing evidence, that they did not please God—since he exercised his wrath upon them severely and took vengeance on their ingratitude. Some understand this as referring to the whole of the people who died in the desert, with the exception of only two—Caleb and Joshua (Numbers 14:29). I understand him, however, as referring merely to those whom he immediately afterwards mentions in different groups.