1 Corinthians 10:12
What does 1 Corinthians 10:12 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 10:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 10:12 means
“Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” Confidence can be sanctified, but presumption is deadly. The Corinthians who claimed knowledge and freedom risked overestimating their strength and underestimating temptation. Paul counsels self-distrust under God: stay alert, avoid situations that inflame weakness, and remember that past victories do not guarantee future safety. Humility keeps one close to God’s help. This is not meant to paralyze, but to prompt sober dependence. The one who stands by grace also perseveres by grace, walking carefully. Spiritual pride falls hardest because it refuses warning. Better to heed God’s cautions than to learn by painful collapse under temptation and discipline.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So let him who seems to himself to be safe go in fear of a fall.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862so that he who is thinking to stand--let him observe, lest he fall.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Wherefore, he that thinketh himself to stand, let him take heed lest he fall.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890So that let him that thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
Context
After summarizing Israel’s story as instruction for the church, Paul makes a direct personal application. Verse 12 issues a succinct warning against spiritual overconfidence. This links the historical examples to the Corinthians’ situation—especially those attending idol feasts in the name of liberty. The next verse (13) will balance this warning with encouragement about God’s faithfulness in temptation, so that caution does not become despair. Then Paul will command a decisive break from idolatry in verse 14.
v.11Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.
v.12This passage
v.13There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Peter 3:17
Ye therefore, beloved, knowing these things beforehand, beware lest, being carried away with the error of the wicked, ye fall from your own stedfastness.
- 1 Corinthians 4:6
Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other.
- Romans 11:20
Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
- Revelation 3:17
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked:
- 1 Corinthians 8:2
If any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth not yet as he ought to know;
- Proverbs 28:14
Happy is the man that feareth alway; But he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
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