About Brian Ray Expertise Questions about the Bible, its authority and what the Bible teaches. Bible doctrines or
teachings including Jesus Christ, God, The Holy Spirit found in the New Testament and Old
Testament. Questions "for arguments sake" or from anyone really disinterested in
understanding the truth should ask someone else!
Experience Student of the Bible
Education/Credentials BA degree with a minor in Bible and Youth Education
Question IN THE FIRST LETTER OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS10:13 IT SAYS BASICALLY THAT GOD WILL NOT GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE. I REALLY WANT TO KNOW, IF THIS IS SIMPLY PAULS FEELINGS OR DOES GOD HIMSLEF SAY THIS ANYWHERE IN SCRIPTURE? PLEASE HELP.
Answer Hi Faith,
This is a great question with significant implications!
I Corinthians 10:11-13
11These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. 12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Your analysis of this passage is accurate:
"GOD WILL NOT GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN HANDLE"
When Paul gave instructions to the churches, he did so as God's mouthpiece. The Pauline Epistles or books written by Paul that are included in the New Testament bear an authority only comparable to other works included in the canon or list of books that are recognized as scripture.
My understanding is that the Pauline Epistles are God's instructions to the early church. Now that we have the completed revelation of God expressed in the collective 66 books of the Old and New Testaments, there is no longer a need for further revelation - we have it all now - it is complete.
In the book of James - chapter 1 we read about the nature and purpose of trials. There are trials that come upon believers that are the result of our sin nature. If we entertain an evil thought, it will become an evil deed. These trials are the result of a believer failing to live according to the Holy Spirit and succumbing to the desires of our flesh. Another type of trial is when we endure circumstances that God places in our lives in which he intends to increase our faith and strengthen us. Satan comes onto the scene regarding the desires of our flesh and bring temptations before us intended to cause us to fail. Scripture tells us that Satan comes before God accusing us. In a manner similar to his attacks on Job, Satan seeks to cause us to stumble and fall. Before Satan can do anything in this regard, he must obtain the permission of God. Whether we're under Satan's attack or the natural weakness of our flesh, this scripture assures us that God will not allow anything to come across our path that is as you say "more than you can handle". The "way out" referred to in the verse may look like Joseph's fleeing from the seduction by Potipher's wife. Other versions of scripture phrase it as a "way of escape"!
The only other scripture that occurs to me to speak closely to this issue is where we are told that "Christ was tempted in all points as we are - except without sin"
I hope this answers your question. Any follow-up questions for clarification are always welcome.
