How Important Is Context When We're Reading the Bible?

Just because something sounds good, but it's not good, it actually means that what sounded good is not good. Did you catch me? Just because something sounds good, but it isn't good, it means that that thing is not good.

This is kind of a myth. It sounds fulfilling, but it actually doesn't. One thing that happens when it comes to the Bible is that we take verses out of context and make things sound really good in the way we want them to sound.

Then, when that thing doesn't work out, we get really frustrated and angry. We're like, "Oh, that's just mythic. It's just a myth. It's just a lie." We need to take these verses and put them back in their original context in the way they were intended to be read, right? So here's a great example: 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to men."

God is faithful, and he won't let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide a way of escape that you can endure. This is 1 Corinthians 10:13 from the ESV transition. 

Let's go with the myths or what sounds a bit mythical here. God won't give you more than you can handle. When you handle it, you will win and become a victor. So, what you need to do right now is stop whining. You have to stop doubting. You have to stop complaining. If you can't handle it or overcome it, the actual issue is an issue of your faith.

What's actually happening is that friend, you're probably not praying, worshiping, or trusting God enough. You need to lift yourself up from your bootstraps and take God's word seriously. There's nothing that you're experiencing that you can't overcome. Remember, no temptation has overtaken you; if it can't overtake you, you need to overtake it.

What Does 1 Corinthians 10:13 Mean?

What does this verse actually mean? Does it mean everything that I just said? Yes and no. So, let's take this back into its context.

Remember, Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, and his words are actually rooted in a very specific historical, social, and cultural context for us to consider. Here's how we need to re-understand this verse. Paul, in verse 12, is dealing with the issue; this is so fascinating, a food that was dedicated to idols that the Corinthians felt pressured into eating.

They felt they had no choice but to adhere to this social and cultural pressure because there wasn't another option, no way out. In response to this, Paul says in verse 13 that nothing we face corresponds to our natural human condition that we can't endure.

One of the challenges we have with this verse and its application is that we want to see it in one specific dimension. We want to limit this verse to an earthly dimension when Paul wants us to see it from a multidimensional perspective. Let me break this down for you.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common. That first word in Greek, pirasmos, can mean temptation, being seduced into sin, or trials, and testing. Paul reminds the Corinthians that they don't have to be overtaken or succumb to social pressures to participate in festivals that would compromise their Christian conviction.

The issue of food dedicated to idols falls within the realm of common to man and is not some supernatural divine test outside their capacity or scope. There may be consequences that result in persecution by saying no, but this doesn't mean they don't have a choice. It just means their choices come with consequences.

Paul affirms their human agency while also reminding them that they are being supported and aided by divine help that starts with Jesus's faithfulness. God is faithful and will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. With the temptation, he will also provide a way of escape that you can endure. God's help comes to us in two ways.

First, because what we face is within the natural bounds of the human situation, it'll be within the bounds of what we can endure. Second, which is the qualifier for the first, everything that we face as humans is limited by time and space. This means there's always an end date to the trial or the temptation, even if we may not be aware of what that is.

The sobering reality is that we will endure some things, including the fallen nature of the human condition as a result of sin and sickness in this world. It's here that Paul asks us to switch our perspective from one-dimensional to multi-dimensional. We need the divine perspective, which is a ray of hope for the earthly reality, for every temptation and trial we face.

There's always an associated way of escape. The Greek word for this is ekbasis, which means a way of escape or an escape hatch.

It can also simply mean an end, like the ending of a movie. This speaks to the divine perspective that complements our earthly one. For example, the long endurance of sickness may result in healing, where the sickness ends and the earthly life continues.

Or it may lead to death, where the sickness still ends. Earthly life ceases, but an eternal life in the new heavens and the new earth starts. This is the divine perspective Paul wants us to remember.

In the words of the late great pastor, theologian, and scholar Eugene Peterson, who echoes Paul, "The Christian life is a journey that leads us into a long obedience in the same direction." This is what Paul is getting at when he says we will be able to endure it. This is a type of endurance that is marked by patience.

Patient endurance is only fruitful when it endures toward obedience to Jesus. Our obedience matters, and it has consequences. I don't think we need to focus on overcoming and winning or proving to the world that we are victors because these are descriptive of what Jesus has already done on the cross.

Our focus is on obedience, endurance, and patience. Jesus modeled this in the incarnation and beckons us to participate in this work as we await the king and his coming kingdom.

Have you ever come to a point where you got tired of reading the Bible? Lysa TerKeurst understands how it feels when your heart gets disconnected and Jesus seems out of reach. Studying the Bible on our own can be intimidating — but we’ll never grow in our walk with Jesus unless we make reading Scripture more than just another thing on our Christian checklist. Do you want to dive deeper? Do you want the Bible to make sense and make a difference in how you live your life? This resource, "3 Bible Study Basics You Must Know" by Lysa TerKeurst, is for you.
Living in the peace we want doesn’t come from the absence of pain and chaos, but by knowing Jesus is with us in those things. If you’re longing for this kind of soul-settled assurance, join Dr. Joel Muddamalle in the pages of his new book, The Hidden Peace: Finding True Security, Strength, and Confidence Through Humility.
This content was provided by Proverbs 31 Ministries. Proverbs 31 Ministries reaches women in the middle of their busy days through free devotions; podcasts; speaking events; conferences; resources; and training in the call to write, speak and lead others. Learn more by visiting our website!
Photo Credit: Proverbs 31 Ministries, used with permission.