Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Parallel translations
- WEB Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’t fall.
- BSB So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.
- NKJV Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.
- NASB Therefore let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall.
- NLT If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Confidence in one's spiritual security can breed pride that leads to a fall. Believers must remain watchful and humble.
Overview
Having recounted Israel's failures, Paul applies the lesson directly: self-assured presumption is dangerous. The verse cautions against complacency, not genuine assurance, calling for vigilant dependence on God rather than trust in oneself. It guards the doctrine of perseverance from becoming an excuse for carelessness, reminding us that those who truly stand do so by God's keeping power, humbly and watchfully.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Rom 11:20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
- 2 Pet 3:17Ye 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.
- Prov 16:18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
- 1 Cor 8:2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
- Matt 26:40–41And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?
- Matt 26:33–34Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
- Prov 28:14Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
- Rev 3:17–18Because 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:
- 1 Cor 4:6–8And 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.
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 10:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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