1 Corinthians 10:13 There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful… The verb to tempt meant originally to try, to test, or to prove. This is its meaning in John 6:6; Acts 26:7; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Revelation 2:2, etc. This is its meaning in the Lord's Prayer, which means "Lead us not into trial." The text suggests that — I. GOD PERMITS THEM. "God will not suffer you," etc. It has been asked, Is not a being responsible for an evil which he can prevent? Answer. 1. If the prevention would outrage the constitutional liberty of the moral creature, it would be wrong. 2. If the permitter of this evil had determined to subordinate it to the highest beneficence, its permission involves no wrong. If I had the power of preventing a terrible trial befalling an ungodly man, which I knew would turn him to God, should I be justified in preventing it? II. HE ADAPTS THEM. "Above that ye are able." He adapts them — 1. To the character. The trial that would touch one man's leading central imperfection would not affect another. Some men require a blow that shall wound their sensuality, others their greed, others their ambition, others their love. The trial that is needed He will "suffer" to come. 2. To the capacity. He will not allow any trial to happen which the sufferer is incapable of bearing. "As thy day so thy strength shall be." III. HE SUBORDINATES THEM. "Will with the temptation also make a way to escape." Or, "make the issue that ye may be able to bear it." Whether the trial is a temptation to your patience, honesty, resignation, confidence in God, etc., He will cause this issue to be good. And this virtually will be for you a deliverance. All the good in heaven have come out of "great tribulations." (D. Thomas, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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