“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.” — 1 Corinthians 10:13
Temptation is common to all
Scripture speaks plainly: temptation is not unique to a select few. It is common to man. Every believer, no matter how mature or devoted, faces pressure, testing, and the pull of sin. This truth removes pride and despair at the same time. We cannot boast as though we are beyond temptation, nor should we lose heart as though our struggle is strange.
The enemy often lies by isolation, whispering that no one else struggles as you do. God’s Word exposes that lie. Temptation is part of life in a fallen world, but it is never proof of failure. It is the arena where faith is tested and obedience is proven.
God sets the limits
The verse does not focus on human strength first, but on divine faithfulness. God is faithful. He remains constant, watchful, and sovereign over every trial His people face. Temptation does not arrive by accident, nor does it exceed God’s authority.
The Lord places clear boundaries: He will not allow His people to be tempted beyond what they are able to bear. This does not mean temptation will be easy, but it does mean it will never be unbearable. God knows the measure of your strength because He is the One who gives it.
This truth anchors the believer. We are not abandoned to overwhelming pressure. We are held within the care of a faithful God who governs every test.
The way of escape is always present
God does more than limit temptation—He provides a way out. With every temptation, there is a path of obedience, a door that leads away from sin and toward life. The escape may be practical, such as removing yourself from a situation. It may be spiritual, such as calling on the Lord, recalling Scripture, or resisting in faith.
The escape is not always dramatic, but it is always sufficient. God does not promise the removal of temptation, but He promises the ability to endure it without yielding. Victory is not found in human willpower alone, but in trusting God’s provision at the moment of testing.
Endurance brings spiritual maturity
The purpose of this promise is not comfort alone, but growth. Temptation endured strengthens faith, sharpens discernment, and deepens dependence on God. Each victory becomes a testimony that obedience is possible through God’s grace.
The believer is not called merely to survive temptation, but to bear it faithfully. This endurance prepares the Church for the days ahead, when pressure will increase and compromise will be celebrated by the world. Those who learn to stand now will stand then.
Conclusion
1 Corinthians 10:13 declares a clear and powerful truth: temptation is common, but defeat is not inevitable. God remains faithful. He sets the limits, provides the escape, and supplies the strength to endure. The believer is never trapped, never abandoned, and never without hope.
In every temptation, look not to your weakness, but to God’s faithfulness. The way of escape is already present. Walk in it.