1 Corinthians 10:13
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.
Original Language Analysis
πειρασμῷ
temptation
G3986
πειρασμῷ
temptation
Strong's:
G3986
Word #:
1 of 31
a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity
εἴληφεν
There hath
G2983
εἴληφεν
There hath
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
4 of 31
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
6 of 31
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεός
God
G2316
θεός
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
11 of 31
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ὃ
that
G3739
ὃ
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 31
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
πειρασθῆναι
to be tempted
G3985
πειρασθῆναι
to be tempted
Strong's:
G3985
Word #:
16 of 31
to test (objectively), i.e., endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline
ὑπὲρ
above
G5228
ὑπὲρ
above
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
17 of 31
"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
ὃ
that
G3739
ὃ
that
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
18 of 31
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἀλλὰ
but
G235
ἀλλὰ
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
20 of 31
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ποιήσει
make
G4160
ποιήσει
make
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
21 of 31
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
22 of 31
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
23 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πειρασμῷ
temptation
G3986
πειρασμῷ
temptation
Strong's:
G3986
Word #:
24 of 31
a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
25 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
26 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
2 Peter 2:9The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:2 Timothy 4:18And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.2 Thessalonians 3:3But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.Hebrews 12:4Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.1 Thessalonians 5:24Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.Luke 22:46And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.Jeremiah 29:11For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.Daniel 3:17If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.Deuteronomy 7:9Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;Revelation 3:10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- What temptations feel uniquely difficult for you, and how does Paul's promise that they're "common to man" provide perspective?
- How have you experienced God providing "a way to escape" that enabled endurance rather than escape from trials?
- In what current struggles do you need to trust God's faithfulness rather than your own strength?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.