Who was 1 Corinthians 10:13 written to, and what does it say about temptation?
The verse was addressed to the Corinthians, believers in Corinth, a city filled with idolatry and paganism. Paul tells these believers, plagued with temptations and testings, that no temptation has overtaken them except what is common to man. The verse assures them their testing is not unique.
Les explains that the Corinthians were in the midst of abject idolatry and paganism. Corinth was a bustling double seaport and commercial city with a large Jewish community. Paul came into this ungodly city with no fanfare and preached the gospel, and many pagans were saved. To these Corinthians, who were plagued with temptations, problems, and testings, Paul writes in verse 13 that no temptation or testing has taken them but such as is common to man. Les emphasizes that the verse addresses their situation of living in a pagan, idolatrous society.
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.
More Questions
What does 1 Corinthians 10:13 mean when it says no temptation has taken you but such as is common to man?
First Corinthians 10:13 means you cannot say your temptation is unique, because every temptation is common to man and Christ Himself has already faced it.
What does it mean that temptation is 'common to man' in 1 Corinthians 10:13?
First Corinthians 10:13 teaches that the temptations believers face are common to man—they are not the only ones who experience such temptation.