12. *0 doxuv) he , who stands, and thinks that he stands. — scrdvai , that he stands ) well-pleasing to God , ver. 5. —
lest he fall ) ver. 8, 5.
13. Ileipatrfibg, temptation) It is mere human temptation, such as may be overcome by a man, when the man has to do either with himself, or with others like himself; to this is opposed the temptation of demons ; comp. ver. 20, 14. Paul had greater experience ; the Corinthians were inexperienced, and therefore more free from concern. — oux e/Xqipevy has not taken) he says o-jx, not ovx'en. He is, therefore, speaking of some temptation, with which they are at present struggling ; comp, with s/Xjjpsv, hath taken, , Luke v. 5, 26 ; 2 Cor. xii. 16. — nnsrog 3 s, but faithful) An abbreviated expression, of which the one member must be supplied from the other. Hitherto you have not been severely tempted ; you owe that not to your own care, but to the pro- tection of God ; but now a greater temptation hangs over you ; in it God also will be your defence, but be ye watchful. Thus 3s, hut , extends its meaning to ver. 14. God is faithful in afford- ing the assistance which both His word and His former works promise . — tfeipueOrivui, to be tempted) by men or demons. — dvvaffQe, you are able) viz., to bear , from the end of the verse. — odv, with) God permits us to be moderately tempted; and at the same time provides a way of escape. — xa/, also) the connection being unbroken. — sx/Sacvv) a way of escape , which takes place gradually, even while some things remain to be borne. The same word is found, Wisd. ii. 17, viii. 8, xi. (14), 15.
14. ’a tfo rijg z/3c,j\oXarps/ag, from idolatry) The consequent [idolatry] is put for the antecedent [things offered to idols], with a view the more to deter the Corinthians from indulging in this sin : i.e. avoid things offered to idols, and the religious use of them, in so far as they are things offered to idols. Hav- ing premised this caution in the 23d ver., he show's that the use of those things in a civil point of view is indeed law^ful, but still they ought to be used with great caution.
15. ®pov//xoig, to the wise) to whom a few words are sufficient to enable them to form their judgment concerning this mystery.
16. To rroriipiovy the cup) The cup is put before the bread; because according to his design [to reprove the eating of meats sacrificed to idols, answering to the bread of the Lord’s Supper],