“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.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

This commonly referenced verse is rightfully used for the discipleship of a new follower of Christ; it also helps the seasoned saint persevere against tough times of temptation. However, I was often intrigued by the last two phrases. They confused me, and they even seemed to contradict each other. It appears that some others had also struggled because I noticed that I often didn’t hear the last phrase used when the verse was quoted by others, maybe because of the apparent contradiction. 

Regarding this apparent contradiction, the verse says, “with the temptation God will also provide the way of escape.” That is easily understood because I know that Scripture encourages us to flee temptation (1 Cor. 6:18, 2 Tim. 2:22, & 1 Tim. 6:11). The puzzle is in the next phrase, speaking of the temptation, “that you may be able to endure it.” The concept of “endure” is to remain in or remain through. So what does this “endure” look like? How am I supposed to remain through a temptation while at the same time fleeing from it?

Still, I also have found joy and encouragement as I have better understood peirasmos, the word translated as “temptation.”

As stated above, this verse is very helpful in dealing with temptation. Still, I also have found joy and encouragement as I have better understood peirasmos, the word translated as “temptation.” It is the same word translated as “trial” in James 1:2-12, which begins with “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds….”

Sooooo, in 1 Corinthians 10:13, should I see peirasmos as “temptation” or as “trial”? Is this one of those passages where the context determines how we should understand the word? In English, we have many words like that, words that have multiple meanings, such as “trunk.” “Trunk” can reference a tree trunk, car trunk, storage trunk, or elephant trunk. The context provides the intended meaning, and it is never more than one meaning at the same time. Not so with peirasmos; it is trial and temptation, both at the same time. Understanding this double-facet meaning of peirasmos resolves what I previously saw as an apparent contradiction. Enduring, remaining through, makes sense in the last phrase when peirasmos is understood as a trial. The preceding phrase regarding escape works well with the temptation facet of peirasmos.

Because we do not have an English word that adequately portrays both at the same time, our translators need to choose either temptation or trial. As stated by John MacArthur in his commentary, both meanings are appropriate for this passage.

The basic meaning of temptation (peirasmos) is simply to test or prove, and has no negative connotation. Whether it becomes a proof of righteousness or an inducement to evil depends on our response. If we resist it in God’s power, it is a test that proves our faithfulness. If we do not resist, it becomes a solicitation to sin. The Bible uses the term in both ways, and I believe that Paul has both meanings in mind here.

In fact, to realize that God thinks more highly of me than I think of myself brings incredible joy, as He knows I can handle that which I didn’t believe I could.

In the absence of an English word with both meanings, what happens when we read 1 Corinthians 10:13 with the concept of “trial” included? “No trial has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tried beyond your ability, but with the trial he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Read that again, digest it, and consider how it relates to your current trial. Maybe you, like me, have been tempted to throw your arms up in the air, saying the trial is more than you can handle. Yet, God has already proclaimed that it is not more than you can handle, as “He will not let us be tried beyond our ability.” I can be a little slow at times, but I have learned that whenever God and I disagree, He is not the one that is wrong. In fact, to realize that God thinks more highly of me than I think of myself brings incredible joy, as He knows I can handle that which I didn’t believe I could.

Pastor Allen Waldrep

PASTOR OF CONNECTIONS

Pastor Allen came on staff in 2003. He enjoys most things tech, riding bikes with his wife Robin, and unwinding while doing yardwork. They have three grown children who bring the *grandkids* when visiting!