"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it."
— 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)
1 Corinthians 10:13 is the "God will provide a way out" verse. This page gives the verse, where it sits in 1 Corinthians 10, and a plain reading. For more on the theme, see Bible verses about temptation, Love and temptation, and Bible verses about self-control.
Free PDF
Get the free 30 Days of Love Verses PDF
Sign up for the daily Bible verse email, and get the free 30 Days of Love Verses PDF. 30 Days of Love Verses · Open the PDF
The verse
The King James reads: "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."
"Temptation" is peirasmos (G3986), a test or trial, and "tempted" is the verb peirazo (G3985). "Overtaken" (KJV "taken") is lambano (G2983), to take hold of. "Common to mankind" is anthropinos (G442), simply "human." "Faithful" is pistos (G4103). "A way out" is ekbasis (G1545), an exit, and "endure" (KJV "bear") is hypophero (G5297), to bear up under.
Where it sits in 1 Corinthians 10
Paul opens the chapter with Israel in the wilderness. They were all rescued from Egypt and fed by God, yet many fell into idolatry and grumbling. "These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us" (1 Corinthians 10:11).
Right before verse 13 comes a warning: "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12). Right after it comes the practical step: "Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry" (1 Corinthians 10:14).
What the verse is saying
The verse makes three claims. The pull you feel is human and shared, not unique to you. God is faithful, so the test has limits. And there is an exit, so giving in is not the only option.
It does not promise that temptation will feel small, or that it will stop. The "way out" is given "so that you can endure it." Paul pairs the promise with action in verse 14: flee. Love for God and for others is part of that exit, as 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 describes love that "does not delight in evil."
Questions people ask
What does 1 Corinthians 10:13 say?
In the NIV it says, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it."
Does 1 Corinthians 10:13 say God won't give you more than you can handle?
Not exactly. The verse is about temptation: God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, and he provides a way out. The popular saying "God won't give you more than you can handle" is broader than what this verse says.
What is the "way of escape" in 1 Corinthians 10:13?
The Greek word ekbasis means an exit. Paul names one right away in verse 14: "flee from idolatry." The way out is often a choice to step away.
What is the context of 1 Corinthians 10:13?
Paul is warning the church in Corinth using Israel's failures in the wilderness as examples (1 Corinthians 10:1-12), then urges them to flee idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14).
What other verses talk about resisting temptation?
Matthew 26:41 (watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation), James 4:7 (resist the devil, and he will flee from you), and Hebrews 4:15 (Jesus was tempted in every way, yet without sin) are close companions.
