1 Corinthians 10:12 kjv
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12 nkjv
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12 niv
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!
1 Corinthians 10:12 esv
Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12 nlt
If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.
1 Corinthians 10 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 10:12 | "Let him who thinks he stands..." | 1 Cor 10:12 |
| Gal 6:1 | "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual..." | Gal 6:1 (restoring a fallen brother) |
| Phil 2:12 | "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling..." | Phil 2:12 (continual effort) |
| Heb 3:12-13 | "See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you have an evil..." | Heb 3:12-13 (exhortation to stand firm) |
| Ps 119:117 | "Uphold me, that I may be saved..." | Ps 119:117 (God's sustaining power) |
| Prov 16:18 | "Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall." | Prov 16:18 (pride leads to downfall) |
| Rom 11:20 | "That is true because of their faithlessness, but you stand by faith..." | Rom 11:20 (grace vs. native branches) |
| Matt 24:4 | "And Jesus answered them, “Take care that no one deceives you." | Matt 24:4 (warning against deception) |
| 1 Pet 5:8 | "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around..." | 1 Pet 5:8 (spiritual vigilance) |
| Rom 12:3 | "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you..." | Rom 12:3 (humility in self-assessment) |
| 1 Cor 3:18 | "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks..." | 1 Cor 3:18 (warning against self-deception) |
| 1 Cor 15:2 | "And by which you have been saved, if you hold firmly to the word..." | 1 Cor 15:2 (holding to the gospel) |
| Gal 5:4 | "You are severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified..." | Gal 5:4 (falling from grace) |
| Acts 20:29-30 | "I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you..." | Acts 20:29-30 (external and internal threats) |
| 1 Cor 8:9 | "But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become..." | 1 Cor 8:9 (concern for weaker believers) |
| Jude 1:20-21 | "But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith..." | Jude 1:20-21 (building oneself up in faith) |
| Ps 73:2-3 | "But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my..." | Ps 73:2-3 (personal struggle with envy) |
| John 15:5 | "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I..." | John 15:5 (dependence on Christ) |
| 2 Tim 2:12 | "If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him..." | 2 Tim 2:12 (endurance and denial) |
| Rev 3:11 | "I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may..." | Rev 3:11 (holding fast to what one has) |
| Ezek 18:24 | "But when the righteous person turns from his righteousness and..." | Ezek 18:24 (righteousness can be lost) |
| Deut 8:14-17 | "lest, when you have eaten and are full, and have built good..." | Deut 8:14-17 (warning against forgetting God in prosperity) |
1 Corinthians 10 verses
1 Corinthians 10 12 Meaning
Guard against overconfidence; a strong spiritual standing is not an impenetrable shield against falling into sin. True security comes from humility and continued reliance on God, not self-assuredness based on spiritual gifts or past experiences.
1 Corinthians 10 12 Context
This verse is part of a larger section in 1 Corinthians (chapters 8-10) where Paul addresses issues related to food sacrificed to idols and the concept of Christian liberty. Specifically, chapter 10 deals with abstaining from idolatry. Paul is responding to Corinthian Christians who felt their advanced spiritual knowledge gave them a superior position, allowing them to participate in idol feasts without being affected. He is warning them against presumptuous pride and emphasizing the need for self-awareness and constant dependence on God, lest they fall into sin despite their spiritual privileges. This caution stems from the Israelites' repeated failures in the wilderness, as discussed in the preceding verses.
1 Corinthians 10 12 Word Analysis
“When” (Hótan): This is a temporal conjunction, indicating a condition or circumstance. It links the following clause to the present consideration of believers' spiritual state.
“He” (Ho): The third-person singular masculine pronoun. Refers to any individual believer.
“Who” (Hos): A relative pronoun, introducing a subordinate clause that describes "he."
“Thinks” (Dokeō): This verb means to seem, appear, be of opinion, or suppose. It suggests a subjective self-assessment, which may or may not align with objective reality or God's judgment. It implies a conviction or belief about oneself.
“He stands” (He is standing): Refers to maintaining a firm position, not only physically but, in a spiritual sense, being secure in faith, holding fast to God's promises, and living righteously. It evokes the image of a soldier in battle, confident of victory. The present tense suggests a current state of perceived security.
Group Analysis: “When he thinks he stands”: This phrase captures the danger of overconfidence in one’s spiritual position. The Greek word "dokeō" suggests that this "thinking" or "believing" is a matter of personal opinion or assumption, not necessarily grounded in reality or God's perspective. It highlights the deceptive nature of self-perception, particularly when inflated by perceived spiritual status or achievement. It cautions against spiritual pride, which can lead to a false sense of security.
“Let him” (Blepetō): This is a present imperative verb, meaning "to see," "to look," or "to watch out." It's a command to be watchful, vigilant, and cautious. The continuous nature of the present imperative implies a need for ongoing awareness and alertness.
“Take care” (Prosechō): This is also an imperative verb, meaning to pay attention to, to guard oneself against, or to beware of. It reinforces the sense of vigilance and self-protection needed in one's spiritual walk. It’s a strong warning to be actively on guard.
Group Analysis: “Let him take care”: This command signifies a serious and ongoing personal responsibility to maintain spiritual integrity. It's not a passive waiting but an active, mindful guarding against potential spiritual dangers that could undermine one's stand in faith. It’s an urgent call to personal responsibility in the face of spiritual threats.
“Lest” (Mē): A particle introducing a negative purpose clause or a warning. It signals the potential negative consequence of not taking care.
“He falls” (Pesē): From the verb "piptō," meaning to fall, to stumble, to be overthrown, or to fall away. In a spiritual context, it signifies a lapse into sin, a loss of one’s spiritual footing, or a deviation from the true faith. The subjunctive mood suggests the possibility or the dreaded outcome to be avoided.
Group Analysis: “Lest he falls”: This emphasizes the precariousness of one’s spiritual position if not actively maintained. The word "falls" encompasses both a momentary lapse into sin and a more permanent departure from faith. It serves as a solemn warning of the severe consequences that can result from complacency or self-reliance, urging believers to remain vigilant and dependent on divine grace.
1 Corinthians 10 12 Bonus Section
The analogy of standing is rich in biblical imagery. It evokes a stable position, perhaps like a soldier at attention, or a runner at the starting line, or even standing before God in judgment (Rev 6:17). However, Paul's warning is that this standing is not self-achieved or automatically permanent. It requires ongoing care and attention, much like a vine's branches must remain connected to the vine to bear fruit and not wither (John 15:4-6). The Hebrew root for "stand" can also imply "to remain" or "to endure." The vulnerability exists because human nature, even after conversion, is still prone to sin and susceptible to the enemy's devices. The concept is similar to a runner in a race who, if they become too proud of their speed, might ease up or look at their competitors and lose their focus, thus stumbling. It underscores that faith is a living relationship, requiring constant interaction and dependence on Christ.
1 Corinthians 10 12 Commentary
The core message is a warning against spiritual arrogance. It’s dangerous to assume that because you are strong in faith or have spiritual gifts, you are immune to sin. The Corinthians were likely boasting in their knowledge, thinking they could engage with pagan practices without consequence. Paul, referencing the Israelites' disobedience and judgment in the wilderness (1 Cor 10:1-11), reminds them that their spiritual status or privileges do not guarantee their perseverance. "Standing" implies faithfulness and integrity in Christ. "Falling" refers to succumbing to temptation, abandoning one's commitment, or drifting into sin. The command "take care" (prosechō) highlights the believer's active role in maintaining their spiritual integrity through vigilance and humility. True security is found not in self-assurance but in continually relying on God's grace and maintaining a posture of dependence.