1 Corinthians 10:12,13

The “examples” just set forth are full of warning (a), but with an aspect of (b) encouragement besides. (a) “So then” ὥστε with impv [1463], as in 1 Corinthians 3:21 (see note) “he that thinks (ὁ δοκῶν : see note, 1 Corinthians 3:18) that he stands, let him take heed (βλεπέτω) lest he fall!” For “such thinking, as it leads to trust in oneself, is the beginning of a perilous security” (Hf [1464]); this vanity was precisely the danger of the Cor [1465] (see 1 Corinthians 4:6 ff., 1 Corinthians 5:2, etc.). For the pf. ἑστάναι, in this emphatic sense (to stand fast), see parls. A moral “fall” is apprehended, involving personal ruin (1Co 10:5; 1 Corinthians 10:8; Romans 11:2; Romans 11:22). (b) The example which alarms the selfconfident, may give hope to the despondent; it shows that the present trials are not unprecedented: πειρασμὸς ὑμᾶς οὐκ εἴληφεν εἰ μὴ ἀνθρώπινος, “It is only human temptation that has come upon you” such as men have been through before. 1 Corinthians 10:13 follows sharply on 1 Corinthians 10:12, ἀσυνδέτως, correcting a depressing fear that would arise in some minds. εἴληφεν (see parls.) describes a situation which “has seized” and holds one in its grasp (pf.). ἀνθρώπινος connotes both quod hominibus solet (Cv [1466]) and homini superabilis (Bg [1467]), such as man can bear (R.V.), σύμμετρος τῇ φύσει (Thd [1468]). Some give an objective turn to the adj [1469], reading the clause as one of further warning : “It is only trial from men that has overtaken you” (so, with variations, Chr., Est., Gr [1470], Bg [1471] opponitur tentatio demoniaca). But the sequel implies a temptation measured by the strength of the tempted; moreover, as El [1472] says, P. would have written οὔπω ἔλαβεν, rather than οὐκ εἴληφεν, if foreboding worse trial in store; nor did he conceive the actual trials of the Cor [1473], any more than those of the Thess. or Asian Churches (1 Thessalonians 3:5; Ephesians 6:10 ff.), as without diabolical elements (see 20 ff., 1 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 2 Corinthians 11:14), εἰ μὴ is attached to ἀνθρώπινος alone: lit [1474] “temptation has not seized you, except a human (temptation)” i.e., “otherwise than human”. πιστὸς δὲ ὁ Θεός contrasts the human and Divine; for the natural trial a supernatural Providence guarantees sufficient aid (see parls.). ὅς = ὅτι οὗτος (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:18): “God is faithful in that (or so that) He etc.”. Paul ascribes to God not the origination, but the control of temptation (cf. Matthew 6:13; Luke 22:31 f., James 1:12 ff.): the πειρασμὸς is inevitable, lying in the conditions of human nature; God limits it, and supplies along with it the ἔκβασις. For the ellipsis in (ὑπὲρ ὃ) δύνασθε, cf.1 Corinthians 3:2; 1 Corinthians 3:2 The art [1475] in ὁ πειρασμός, τὴν ἔκβασιν, is individualising: “the temptation” and “the egress” match each other, the latter provided for the former; hence καί, “also,” indivulso nexu (Bg [1476]). Issue is a sense of ἔκβασις in later Gr [1477]; in cl [1478] Gr [1479] disembarkation, then exit, escape. In τοῦ δύνασθαι ὑπενεγκεῖν (for gen [1480] inf [1481] of purpose, see Wr [1482], p. 408) the subject is not expressed; as coming under God's general dealing with men, it is conceived indefinitely “that one may be able to bear”. Shut into a cul de sac, a man despairs; but let him see a door open for his exit, and he will struggle on with his load. ἔκβασις signifies getting clear away from the struggle; ὑπενεγκεῖν, holding up under it, the latter made possible by the hope of the former. How different all this from the Stoic consolation of suicide: “The door stands open”! In the Cor [1483] “temptation” we must include both the allurements of idolatry and the persecution which its abandonment entailed.

[1463] imperative mood.

[1464] J. C. K. von Hofmann's Die heilige Schrift N.T. untersucht, ii. 2 (2te Auflage, 1874).

[1465] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[1466] Calvin's In Nov. Testamentum Commentarii.

[1467] Bengel's Gnomon Novi Testamenti.

[1468] Theodoret, Greek Commentator.

[1469] adjective.

[1470] Greek, or Grotius' Annotationes in N.T.

[1471] Bengel's Gnomon Novi Testamenti.

[1472] C. J. Ellicott's St. Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians.

[1473] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

[1474] literal, literally.

[1475] grammatical article.

[1476] Bengel's Gnomon Novi Testamenti.

[1477] Greek, or Grotius' Annotationes in N.T.

[1478] classical.

[1479] Greek, or Grotius' Annotationes in N.T.

[1480] genitive case.

[1481] infinitive mood.

[1482] Winer-Moulton's Grammar of N.T. Greek (8th ed., 1877).

[1483] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.