King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 10:13 Mean?

1 Corinthians 10:13 in the King James Version says “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be temp... — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. common: or, moderate

1 Corinthians 10:13 · KJV


Context

11

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. ensamples: or, types

12

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. common: or, moderate

14

Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

15

I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it—After stern warnings, Paul offers encouragement. The word peirasmos (πειρασμός, "temptation/trial/testing") covers both external trials and internal temptations. Common to man (anthrōpinos, ἀνθρώπινος, "human/ordinary/within human capacity") means your struggles aren't uniquely severe or insurmountable.

The central affirmation is God is faithful (pistos de ho theos, πιστὸς δὲ ὁ θεός)—He keeps covenant promises to sustain His people. He will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able establishes a divine limit on testing. God sovereignly controls the intensity and duration of trials, ensuring they remain endurable. This doesn't mean comfort—Israel's temptations were severe—but that God's grace matches every test.

Make a way to escape (ten ekbasin, τὴν ἔκβασιν, literally "the way out") promises divine provision for endurance. Importantly, the escape is to bear it (hypenegkein, ὑπενεγκεῖν, "to endure/carry"), not to avoid it. God provides strength to persevere through trials, not necessarily removal from them. This verse is a bulwark against despair: no temptation is irresistible when met with God's enabling grace.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Stoicism taught self-sufficiency in trials through reason and willpower. Christianity offers better hope—God's faithfulness and enabling grace. The Corinthians faced real temptations: social pressure to conform, economic inducements to participate in guild banquets at temples, sexual immorality normalized in their culture. Paul assures them that God's power to preserve exceeds any trial's power to destroy.

Reflection Questions

  1. What temptations feel uniquely difficult for you, and how does Paul's promise that they're "common to man" provide perspective?
  2. How have you experienced God providing "a way to escape" that enabled endurance rather than escape from trials?
  3. In what current struggles do you need to trust God's faithfulness rather than your own strength?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
πειρασμῷ1 of 31

temptation

G3986

a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity

ὑμᾶς2 of 31

that ye

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

οὐκ3 of 31

no

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

εἴληφεν4 of 31

There hath

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

εἰ5 of 31
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

μὴ6 of 31
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἀνθρώπινος·7 of 31

such as is common to man

G442

human

πιστὸς8 of 31

is faithful

G4103

objectively, trustworthy; subjectively, trustful

δὲ9 of 31

but

G1161

but, and, etc

10 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεός11 of 31

God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

12 of 31

that

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐκ13 of 31

no

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐάσει14 of 31

suffer

G1439

to let be, i.e., permit or leave alone

ὑμᾶς15 of 31

that ye

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

πειρασθῆναι16 of 31

to be tempted

G3985

to test (objectively), i.e., endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline

ὑπὲρ17 of 31

above

G5228

"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super

18 of 31

that

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

δύνασθαι19 of 31

may be able

G1410

to be able or possible

ἀλλὰ20 of 31

but

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ποιήσει21 of 31

make

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

σὺν22 of 31

with

G4862

with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi

τῷ23 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πειρασμῷ24 of 31

temptation

G3986

a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity

καὶ25 of 31

also

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τὴν26 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἔκβασιν27 of 31

a way to escape

G1545

an exit (literally or figuratively)

τοῦ28 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δύνασθαι29 of 31

may be able

G1410

to be able or possible

ὑμᾶς30 of 31

that ye

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ὑπενεγκεῖν31 of 31

to bear

G5297

to bear from underneath, i.e., (figuratively) to undergo hardship


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 10:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 10:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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