1 Corinthians 10:12
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12 in other translations
| BSB | So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall. |
|---|---|
| WEB | Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall. |
| ASV | Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. |
| YLT | so that he who is thinking to stand--let him observe, lest he fall. |
| DARBY | So that let him that thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. |
| BBE | So let him who seems to himself to be safe go in fear of a fall. |
| Webster | Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall. |
What does 1 Corinthians 10:12 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
That thinketh he standeth. That supposes himself to be firm in the love of God, and in the knowledge of his truth; that regards himself as secure, and that will be therefore disposed to rely on his own strength.
Take heed lest he fall. Into sin, idolatry, or any other form of iniquity. We learn here,
(1.) that a confidence in our own security is no evidence that we are safe.
(2.) Such a confidence may be one of the strongest evidences that we are in danger. Those are most safe who feel that they are weak and feeble, and who feel their need of Divine aid and strength. They will then rely on the true source of strength; and they will be secure.
(3.) All professed Christians should be admonished. All are in danger of falling into sin, and of dishonouring their profession; and the exhortation cannot be too often or too urgently pressed, that they should take heed lest they fall into sin. The leading and special idea of the apostle here should not be forgotten or disregarded. It is, that Christians in their favoured moments, when they are permitted to approach near to God, and when the joys of salvation fill their hearts, should exercise peculiar caution. For
(a.) then the adversary will be peculiarly desirous to draw away their thoughts from God, and to lead them into sin, as their fall would most signally dishonour religion;
(b.) then they will be less likely to be on their guard, and more likely to feel themselves strong, and not to need caution and solicitude. Accordingly, it often happens that Christians, after they have been peculiarly favoured with the tokens of the Divine favour, soon relapse into their former state, or fall into some sin that grieves the hearts of their brethren, or wounds the cause of religion. So it is in revivals; so it is in individuals. Churches that are thus favoured are filled with joy, and love, and peace. Yet they become self-confident and elated; they lose their humility and their sense of their dependence; they cease to be watchful and prayerful, supposing that all is safe; and the result often is, that a season of revival is succeeded by a time of coldness and declension. And thus, too, it is with individuals. Just the opposite effect is produced from what should be, and from what need be. Christians should then be peculiarly on their guard; and if they then availed themselves of their elevated advantages, churches might be favoured with continued revivals and ever-growing piety; and individuals might be filled with joy, and peace, and holiness, and ever-expanding and increasing love.
(c) "Wherefore" Prov 28:14, Rom 11:20
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:6-14
Carnal desires gain strength by indulgence, therefore should be checked in their first rise. Let us fear the sins of Israel, if we would shun their plagues. And it is but just to fear, that such as tempt Christ, will be left by him in the power of the old serpent. Murmuring against God's disposals and commands, greatly provokes him. Nothing in Scripture is written in vain; and it is our wisdom and duty to learn from…
1 Corinthians 10:12 in the original Greek
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Cross references for 1 Corinthians 10:12
- Romans 11:20
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
- 2 Peter 3:17
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
- Proverbs 16:18
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
- 1 Corinthians 8:2
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
- Matthew 26:40-41
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
- Matthew 26:33-34
Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
- Proverbs 28:14
Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
- Revelation 3:17-18
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
- 1 Corinthians 4:6-8
And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- 1 Corinthians 10:11
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
- 1 Corinthians 10:12
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:12 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Así que, el que piensa estar firme, mire no caiga. |
|---|---|
| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Ainsi, que celui qui croit être debout prenne garde qu’il ne tombe. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Daher, wer zu stehen sich dünkt, sehe zu, daß er nicht falle. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Itaque qui se existimat stare, videat ne cadat. |