Posts Tagged: 1 Corinthians 10:13

“Endurance in Testing”

On June 1, 2021 by Dteb With 0 Comments - down to earth believer

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (English Standard Version)

It is easy for me to think that my problems, struggles, and temptations are different from those of others. It is flattering (in a rather perverse manner) to think of my temptations as “unique”. If I can’t be special in some good way, by golly I’ll be unique in my vices!

There are two problems with this way of thinking. First, it is not a helpful way of thinking. Second, it isn’t true. Any human problem is likely to be true for all humans—or, at least, for many humans.

Have you ever watched a nature show on TV where lions, wolves, or some other predatory animal are chasing a herd of would-be dinner entrees? Have you noticed that it is the animal that can’t keep up with the herd (or that chooses to go its own way?) that ends up being on the menu? Our struggles, hang-ups, temptations, and addictions tend to isolate us. As long as they can succeed in getting us alone, they can have their way with us.

Leon Morris, in the Tyndale New Testament Commentary series, writes,

Temptation (see on v. 9) is sometimes understood simply as ‘test’ . . . , a meaning it certainly has on occasion. But here it is used in a broad sense which includes both ‘test’ and ‘temptation’. Nothing exceptional in either way had happened to the Corinthians. They had experienced only what is common to man. And God is not simply a spectator of the affairs of life; he is concerned and active. Believers can count on his help. He will always make a way out. This word (ekbasis) may denote a mountain defile. The imagery is that of an army trapped in rugged country, which manages to escape from an impossible situation through a mountain pass. The assurance of this verse is a permanent comfort and strength to believers. Our trust is in the faithfulness of God.

It is quite likely that the Christ-followers in Corinth to whom Paul was writing, were thinking that their temptations were unique to them. Why else would Paul remind them here that their struggles were simply human struggles?

There are really no unique struggles that any of us experience. We are unique, but our temptations are not.

And, of course, we need to remember that God is faithful and will make a way of escape. However, Paul is realistic. He points out that escape doesn’t mean that we can entirely get out of our temptations, only that we can endure them.

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