The Houdini God

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.  1 Corinthians 10:13  NASB

Endure – Houdini was a great escape artist.  Time after time he extracted himself from apparently unbreakable bonds.  Unfortunately, we often read this verse, without its context, as if God is training us to be like Houdini.  We think that God is going to show us how to escape from our temptations.  But Paul implies something else.  Paul implies that God is going to show us how to endure temptations without succumbing to them.  God’s escape plan is not the exit door.  It is reinforcements to resist.

Now let’s add the context.  The verses immediately preceding and following this one both begin with Greek words translated “therefore.”  The two words are not the same in Greek.  This is important.  But the implication is that this verse is the conclusion of a previous thought and the basis of another thought.  It is not a standalone idea.  The previous thought is that anyone who thinks he can resist alone is in danger.  Life is treacherous.  History is a nightmare.  Naivety is inappropriate and foolish.  As a result of these truths about human existence (therefore), Paul offers his commentary on temptation.  Then, after his readers have understood this commentary, Paul expresses his action conclusion (flee idolatry).  This “therefore” essentially means “on this account – with emphasis.”  The whole argument goes something like this.  Watch out!  Don’t be arrogant about your own abilities.  Temptations are a real fact of human life.  But God is involved and will show you a way to endure them.  Because of this, run from idolatry.

Paul’s point demolishes human pride, even human spiritual pride.  We are not such giants of the faith that we can’t fall.  Once we realize the precariousness of our humanity, Paul offers comfort and hope.  God has not abandoned us to our own devices.  God brings reinforcements when we need them, and since living in this world is accompanied by the force of the yetzer ha’ra, we need reinforcements often.  Furthermore, God knows that we have our limits and He ensures we are not placed in situations that exceed them.  The purpose of all this heavenly interaction is to help us endure living in a broken world.   The Greek is hupophero.  The idea is to bear up under pressure.  It does not imply removal of the opposing force.  It implies the ability to resist that force, to bear the load.  Given that this remark is made to the Corinthians, the implication is instructive.  There is probably no better example of a dysfunctional assembly of believers than those in Corinth.  Yet even with all their temptations and failures, Paul insists that they aren’t experiencing anything that isn’t a typical human situation and that God is still in the midst protecting them from even greater disaster.  They can endure it without falling.

What’s Paul action plan as a result of this insight?  Flee idolatry!  Why would he say this?  Because the Corinthians were probably tempted to retreat to their ancestral gods in an effort to find relief from their struggles.  False gods offer freedom from temptation.  YHWH does not.  YHWH offers the ability to resist.  False gods offer either exits or excuses.  YHWH offers neither.

Maybe we need some contextual revision to the way we often use this important verse.  Maybe when we think that God is going to show us the exit or provide us with an excuse we turn Him into a god of idolatry.

Topical Index:  escape, hupophero, idolatry, 1 Corinthians 10:13