Just when we think, “I can’t take it anymore,” we won’t have to.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Interesting word, “temptation.” It’s not nearly as specific as you might think.

Taken on face value, 1 Corinthians 10:31 offers us a precious-enough promise, God’s assurance that we will never be so overwhelmed with a temptation that we will have no choice but to succumb to its seductions. He wants us to know that whenever or wherever we are hit between the eyes with an especially enticing opportunity to indulge the desires of our flesh, God will always “provide (us) a way out” so that we can stand up against it.

Good to know.

But wait! It gets even better. The word “temptation” is a much broader term that it might appear at first blush. Paul carefully crafted this verse by intentionally using a word in the original that can also properly be translated “test.” If you will permit a fuller rendering of this verse – an expanded paraphrase, if you will – it could justifiably be rendered as follows: I’ve got great news for you. News that should brighten your future. God gives you His promise that you will never be tempted nor tested in any way that is unusual or unique. You are not alone. You will never be called upon to face any situation in life, no matter how dire or overwhelming it might seem, that others haven’t already faced before you. We know this because God is faithful. He always does what He says He will do. And in this situation, He promises that you will never be tempted nor tested beyond your ability to handle it. No matter how alluring the temptation, no matter how difficult the test, God will always give you a way out – His grace and power to meet or beat it, so that it will not overwhelm and defeat you.

Now that is a precious promise.

But talk is cheap. What if Paul, who wrote 1 Corinthians, is just particularly good at producing platitudes – pithy little statements that sound good but are have no basis in fact?

Let’s find out. On two fronts. Temptations and tests.

It seems that Paul knew a lot about tantalizing temptations. In one of his rare moments of honest, open, and public introspection, Paul admitted that he, like us, struggled daily with his body of flesh that longed for satisfying stimulation. He admitted to the believers in Rome, “I am merely a human, and I have been sold as a slave to sin. In fact, I don't understand why I act the way I do. I don't do what I know is right. I do the things I hate… I know that my selfish desires won't let me do anything that is good. Even when I want to do right, I cannot. Instead of doing what I know is right, I do wrong… What a miserable person I am. Who will rescue me from this body that is doomed to die?”

If the story ended there, we might be justified for thinking that this poor soul needs some serious therapy. But happily, it doesn’t. Paul went on to victoriously declare this: “Thank God! Jesus Christ will rescue me.”

Just when it seemed that Paul couldn’t take it anymore, he didn’t have to. Jesus provided “a way of escape” – “a way out.” In the words of the MSG translation, “he'll always be there to help you come through it.”

So far so good, at least as far as temptations are concerned. But what about life’s pressures and problems, tests? Once again, Paul possessed enormous “street cred” as one who suffered through a variety of tests, arguably of a much greater magnitude than you or I will ever experience. Things like, “Five times the Jews gave me thirty-nine lashes with a whip. Three times the Romans beat me with a big stick, and once my enemies stoned me. I have been shipwrecked three times, and I even had to spend a night and a day in the sea. During my many travels, I have been in danger from rivers, robbers, my own people, and foreigners. My life has been in danger in cities, in deserts, at sea, and with people who only pretended to be the Lord's followers. I have worked and struggled and spent many sleepless nights. I have gone hungry and thirsty and often had nothing to eat. I have been cold from not having enough clothes to keep me warm.”

Yet, at the beginning of this very same letter, Paul triumphantly acknowledged, “Praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort. He comforts us when we are in trouble, so that we can share that same comfort with others in trouble. We share in the terrible sufferings of Christ, but also in the wonderful comfort he gives.”

No doubt about it. Just when Paul was tempted to think that he couldn’t take it anymore, he didn’t have to. Neither do we.