God is Faithful: An Exegetical Study on 1 Corinthians 10:13 - Part 3

The following exegetical study is Part 3 of 3 in a series that examines the contextual meaning and application of 1 Corinthians 10:13, a beloved verse for those experiencing temptation. Part 1 focuses on the phrase, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.” Part 2 focuses on the phrase, “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability.” Part 3 focuses on the phrase, “but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape that you may be able to endure it.”

1 CORINTHIANS 10

13 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.

A Note to the Reader: Part 3 assumes the reader understands the historical context of 1 Corinthians and/or has read God is Faithful - Part 1 and God is Faithful – Part 2.

 
Part 3 – God is Faithful

“But With the Temptation”

 In the latter half of verse 13, the Apostle Paul writes, “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.” Within this text, Paul conveys that God’s faithfulness is evident through at least three provisions: 1) limiting the strength of the temptation, 2) granting the ability to resist succumbing to temptation, and 3) providing the way of escape from temptation.[1] These three provisions testify to God’s sovereignty over all things, as only he can limit the magnitude and extent of all trials and temptations. Certainly, this is a reason for the Corinthians and the modern-day believer to worship God.

Additionally, it is of great comfort for the believer to know that the path to deliverance exists instantaneously upon the very inception of temptation. According to Paul, temptation never comes alone. The word “with” in the phrase “but with the temptation,” teaches us that temptation always comes alongside God’s provision of endurance. Where there is a temptation, there is the provision for escape too. Temptation and escape are a package deal, like a child’s toy “with” batteries included. Therefore, the believer possesses the hope of holiness in every instance in which he or she finds themselves battling the enticement to sin.

“He Will Also Provide” 

Again, the Apostle Paul points the Corinthian church to rest their hope in God’s provision, which is one element of his faithfulness. Within the phrase “he will also provide,” each word carefully portrays the majesty and character of Yahweh, beginning with a direct reference to him by using the pronoun “he.” Such a reference must invoke attentiveness within the reader because when the biblical authors make a comment about God, they encroach upon sacred matters. When the prophets and apostles mention the Lord, they are describing his actions, intentions, character, and/or promises. In this instance, Paul’s sacred reference to Yahweh imparts hope within the Corinthian church by commenting directly on God’s intent to provide for his people.

The word “will” in verse 13 enacts a promise, which is the reason for the hope within this verse; for, when God promises something, it shall come to pass. The term “also” means “in addition to” and testifies to God’s abundant resources (Psalm 50:10-12). The word “also” expresses a sentiment of Divine generosity as God not only limits the strength of the temptation, but he also provides “the way of escape.” Do not permit the subtlety of the term “also” within verse 13 to dull its impact on the verse at large. “Also” expresses God’s love, generosity, resources, and power which were given to Ancient Israel, Christian Corinthians, and the modern-day people of God. Certainly, the word “also” elicits praise and worship of the Divine Giver.

The term “provide” is a verb meaning “to make” or “do.” It is helpful for the reader to know that this part of speech is a verb because such information portrays God as actively working on his people’s behalf. For the Corinthians, this meant that every time a temple prostitute descended upon the city to ply her craft, the Lord worked on their behalf to make a way of escape. Therefore, it is proper to conclude that 1 Corinthians 10:13 gives hope by promising help. This fact ought to invoke worship of the Heavenly Helper who makes the way of escape possible.

“The Way of Escape That You May Be Able to Endure It”

The word escape in Greek is ekbasin and means “an exit.” This term is applied figuratively within 1 Corinthians 10:13. Within the Holy Scriptures, there are excellent examples of men and women escaping the would-be clutches of temptation. Of course, Jesus’ example in Matthew 4 is an excellent display of God’s provision of escape and endurance through his word on behalf of his Child (also see Luke 4). Another biblical example of God providing “the way of escape that you may be able to endure it” is in Genesis 39:6-10, which says:

Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. And after a time his master's wife cast her eyes on Joseph and said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master's wife, “Behold, because of me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my charge. He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” And as she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie beside her or to be with her.

Joseph is an excellent example of what it means to endure unto escape. Potiphar’s wife tries to lure and entice Joseph “day after day” (Genesis 39:10). The temptation kept coming and the tempter kept knocking. Day after day the temptation came but he did not listen to her to lie with her. How did Joseph resist? What was his “way of escape?” The literal escape for Joseph was to flee from the woman – to put physical distance between himself and herself. However, the motive behind his physical escape from sexual immorality was an unwavering allegiance to God (v. 9). Joseph did not view the temptation as an opportunity to indulge his flesh but rather as an offense against God. His resolve to remain faithful to the Lord launched him to escape the temptation and endure the repeated attempts of Potiphar’s wife to seduce him. Joseph’s situation in Genesis 39 captures the essence of what it means to “escape that you may be able to endure it.”

Endurance

The word “endure” means “to bear by being under.” Images of bench pressing while weight training or carrying heavy stones upon one’s shoulders may serve as appropriate pictures that capture Paul’s sentiment toward Corinth. Additionally, a very similar word[2] is used in Hebrews 12:2, describing Jesus’ endurance on Calvary, saying, “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (emphasis added). Jesus’ perseverance and fortitude on the cross provide another vivid picture of what it means to endure. For the Corinthians, Christ’s endurance on the cross enables and motivates their endurance when the temptations to commit idolatry, sexual immorality, put Christ to the test, and grumble present themselves.

The Dynamic Between Escape and Endurance

It is wise to note at this juncture that sometimes “the way of escape” is a literal exit via physical removal of either the temptation or the one being tempted. Escape is a means of endurance because, for some magnitude of time, the tempted individual bears the weight of the temptation before their physical departure. Another biblical word that captures the meaning and essence of the term escape is “flee.” Immediately following 1 Corinthians 10:13, Paul instructs the Corinthians, saying, “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (v.14). Therefore, looking for an escape to flee is a faithful means of handling temptation (2 Timothy 2:22; 1 Corinthians 6:18).

However, sometimes placing physical distance between oneself and tempting circumstances is not possible and endurance is the only path. Think back to the meaning of the word endurance – “to bear by being under” – and picture a person carrying a heavy stone on their shoulders. Sometimes, they may safely drop the weight altogether. That is like an escape. Other times, they must continue to carry the weight until the appointed time comes when they are either strong enough to persist in carrying it or may place it down on the earth safely below them. Perhaps, one may come along and help bear their burden along with them (Galatians 6:2). This example is likened to endurance. Christ’s death on the cross is an outstanding example of endurance, for he did not remove himself from the cross but rather endured the trial; he bore the weight of God’s wrath unto fruition (Hebrews 12:2). Once an individual has borne the weight of trial or temptation, they have (at least temporally) escaped the possibility of sinning, thus escaping the temptation. Therefore, just as escape is a means of endurance, endurance is a means of escape. The two work individually to accomplish the other (i.e., escape leading to the completion of endurance and complete endurance leading to escape).

Application

One technique the interpreter may use to determine the application of this passage is to ask, “What is this verse’s purpose within the passage?” Thankfully, the German Reformer, Martin Luther, helps clarify the answer to this question in his sermon on 1 Corinthians 10:6-13. He states:

As we said, the admonition is to those already Christians. Paul would have them know that although they are baptized unto Christ, and have received and still enjoy his blessing through grace alone, without their own merit, yet they are under obligation ever to obey him; they are not to be proud and boastful, nor misuse his grace. Christ desires obedience on our part, though obedience does not justify us in his sight nor merit his grace.[3]

From Luther’s perspective, it seems that the overarching goal of 1 Corinthians 10:13 is to spur the Corinthian Christians to obedience in the face of temptation. In fact, the Apostle Paul’s mission in writing the letter is to admonition those in the church who are grievously disobedient (1 Corinthians 1:11; 5:1). Paul calls the Corinthians to faithful obedience within their pagan culture, and 1 Corinthians 10:13 displays that God’s faithfulness is the basis and means by which the Corinthians will be obedient. Therefore, as Luther expresses, the purpose of 1 Corinthians 10:13 is to motivate God-honoring obedience by providing awareness of the means of obedience (God’s provision), which also removes all excuses for disobedience.

A Pastoral Application

The following discourse is an excerpt from a sermon titled Under Law or Under Grace and teaches one believer’s response to the knowledge that they can resist sin:  

[Paul] is saying, “Stop sinning and start obeying.” But this appeal to the will rests on the knowledge of who you are now in Jesus Christ and believing that truth when you face temptation. And then you must choose to act upon it. We have an active responsibility to stop the reign of sin. Active responsibility. Paul directs and commands us. Oh, he does not say, “Let go and let God,” does he? No. Rather, to stop sin you must take aggressive action to deny its attempt to rule your life. This is where the old saying, “Just say no,” [comes in], right? Remember that? It’s a valid credo. You can obey that command because in Christ the power of sin has been broken, you see? It’s been broken.

Years ago, I read about a young man who professed to be a Christian. He was enslaved to some sin; being a young man you can probably imagine what that was. And he went to a lot of different psychologists, counselors . . .  and they spent hours trying to help him analyze his past, how he was brought up, trying all these various psychological techniques but nothing worked. And so, he shared his battle, finally, with his pastor. He said, “What do you think I should do?” The pastor in his great wisdom said, “I think you should stop doing it.” And the young man was actually stunned. He said, “In all these years that I’ve been seeing someone, no one actually told me to just stop. I didn’t know it was an option.”

Isn’t that what Paul is telling us when he says, “Flee immorality” in 1 Corinthians 6:18? Is it not what Paul is telling us when he says to, “Flee from idolatry” in 1 Corinthians 10:14? Is it not what Paul told young Timothy? Flee from what? “Flee from youthful lusts.” Second Timothy 2:22. Fleeing is the opposite of hanging out with sin. Let alone welcoming it into your life. My brothers and sisters, this is not legalism, it’s practical biblical thinking. If the music or the movies you’re watching defile you and they put tempting thoughts in your brain, then you must flee that. If internet pornography tempts you, you’ve got to put up some big fences, so you don’t go near the edge. Flee the internet. This is not rocket science. It’s not rocket science.[4]

As this faithful pastor points out, the verse immediately following 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “Flee from idolatry.” So, if the present reader wishes to apply the hope-filled doctrine of this threefold series on 1 Corinthians 10:13, then go out and obey 1 Corinthians 10:14 with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Flee from the idols of Baal among the Moabites and Midianites in Numbers 25. Flee from the idols of Aphrodite among the Corinthians. Flee, like Joseph, from those who tempt you unto defilement (Genesis 39:12). Flee, unlike Ancient Israel, from the temptations of idolatry, sexual immorality, putting Christ to the test, and grumbling. Flee the pagan cultural practices around you that tempt you to sin. When you flee, do so with direction and purpose by fleeing not only away from temptation but also to the Sovereign Creator who promises his provision and comfort. And if you ever find yourself unable to flee, under the weight of trial or temptation, reach out to your pastors and elders for help, surround yourself with God’s people, and bow to your knees in prayer. Lastly, turn your eyes to Jesus and meditate on one of the most hope-giving promises within the Holy Scripture for those who experience temptation:

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, emphasis added).

Notes:

[1] John Calvin. Commentary on The Epistles of the Apostle Paul to The Corinthians (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2003), 331-332.

[2] Hupomenó in Hebrews 12:2 means to stay behind, bear, or endure. Hupopheró in 1 Corinthians 10:13 means to bear by being under. The difference is the second term within each word: menó and pheró. Menó is to wait while pheró is to be under. The two differ slightly in that the former seems to refer to “how long” one can endure while the latter discusses “how much” one can endure.

[3] Martin Luther, The Complete Sermons of Martin Luther Volumes 4.2, ed. and trans. John Nicholas Lenker (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 181-2.

[4] Pastor Steven Stanley, Under Grace or Under Law – Romans 6:12-14, April 30, 2023.