The Most Misused Verses in the Bible,Surprising Ways God's Word Is Misunderstood by Eric J. Bargerhuff

Author:Eric J. Bargerhuff [Bargerhuff, Eric J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: REL006000, Bible—Criticism--interpretation--etc., Christian life—Biblical teaching
ISBN: 9781441270078
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2012-04-30T17:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

No More Than You Can Handle

“God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability.”

—1 Corinthians 10:13

It’s a comment that’s often meant to be a word of encouragement. The road gets rough, and sure enough someone steps in with good intentions and says, “Remember, God promised he would never give us more than we can handle.” But somehow that doesn’t always lighten the load. In fact, it is fair to question if it’s even true, and secondly, where it’s found!

The apostle Paul had a lot of difficult times. As a pioneer missionary who often traveled into hostile territory, he spoke readily about his sufferings for Christ. Paul used some pretty hefty words in 2 Corinthians 6 to describe the seriousness of this suffering: afflictions, hardships, distresses, beatings, imprisonment, hard work, sleepless nights, hunger, sorrow, mistreatment, having nothing, and so on (see 2 Corinthians 6:4–10).

Was it more than he could handle? Listen to what Paul says at the beginning of this very same letter:

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. (2 Corinthians 1:8–9)

It sure sounds like God gave Paul more than he could handle. His personal strength was sapped, and he fell into despair such that he wanted to die. But why? Why would God do that? All we have to do is read on and finish out the rest of verse 9.

. . . But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. (2 Corinthians 1:9)

Ah, so this is why God allowed Paul to be “burdened beyond his strength.” The Lord was teaching Paul not to rely upon his own strength but rather to rely upon the strength that comes from God—the same strength and power God exerted when he raised Christ from the dead (Ephesians 1:19–20).

So the popular notion that “God will never give us more than we can handle” is in reality a blatant falsehood—a lie. He will give us more than we can handle, and this for the express purpose of bringing us to the end of ourselves so that we realize our very life, breath, and sustaining power comes only from God all the time. Jesus clearly said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

So where does this well-intentioned idea come from anyway? My suspicion is that it is a spin-off of what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:13:

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

If you look closer at the text, it has a specific nuance that is worthy of note. Paul is not talking about the general circumstances and hardships of life.

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