1 Corinthians 10:11-13 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Now all these things These various calamitous events; happened unto them for ensamples That we might learn wisdom at their expense, and not trust to external privileges, while we go on in a course of disobedience to the divine authority. The apostle's meaning is, that punishment inflicted on sinners in a public and extraordinary manner, makes them examples of the divine vengeance to their own generation, and to all succeeding ones which have any knowledge of their history. And they are written for our admonition To warn us Christians; upon whom the ends of the world Or, of the ages; των αιωνων, are come That is, at the end of the Mosaic dispensation, whose duration was measured by ages or jubilees. Or it may signify the last dispensation of religion, namely, that of the gospel, which succeeded the patriarchal and the Jewish. The expression has great force. All things meet together and come to a crisis under the last, the gospel dispensation; both benefits and dangers, punishments and rewards. And under it Christ will come as an avenger and a judge. Wherefore As if he had said, Seeing that so many who enjoyed great spiritual privileges, yet were punished for their sins, therefore let him that thinketh he standeth Or rather, that most assuredly standeth, (for the word δοκει, rendered thinketh, most certainly strengthens, rather than weakens the sense,) or is confident that he is able to resist temptation, and to continue steadfast in the practice of his duty; and that, thereupon, he shall be secure from punishment; take heed lest he fall Into sin and perdition. There hath no temptation Πειρασμος, trial, of any kind, whether by way of suffering, as the word means, James 1:2; 1 Peter 1:6; and in many other places; or of inducement to sin, as the expression signifies, James 1:13-14; but such as is common to man Usual and ordinary among men: or, as the Greek word more especially imports, proportioned to human strength. At the time the apostle wrote this, the Christians at Corinth had not been much persecuted; see chap. 1 Corinthians 4:8. But Or and; God is faithful To his promise, and therefore will not suffer you to be tempted Or tried; above that ye are able Through the strength which he imparts, to endure the trial, and stand in the evil day; but will, with the temptation By which he suffers you to be assaulted; make a way to escape Greek, την εκβασιν, a passage out That is, will provide for your deliverance; that If you be not wanting to yourselves; you may be able to bear it Yea, and may acquire new strength by, and comfort from the combat.