Literally, “the way out.” The “the” indicates that for every particular temptation there is a particular provision made by God for escape. This “way out” is not a way to avoid the temptation, but a way out of the tragedy of falling into sin, of being overcome by the temptation. At the same time that God permits the trial or temptation to come, He will also have in readiness the means whereby we may gain the victory and escape from committing sin. Jesus, the Christian’s example of right living, found that “way out” in the written Word of God (see Luke 4:4, 8, 12). So we, His followers, may find the “way out” in Jesus, the living Word (see John 1:1-3, 14). He is ever ready and willing to deliver those who call upon Him and to keep them from falling into sin (Ps. 9:9; 27:5; 41:1; 91:15; 2 Peter 2:9; Rev. 3:10).

 That is, permit. The fact that God, to whom the Christian entrusts himself, will not permit the enemy to tempt His children beyond their strength and ability to endure should be a source of great encouragement. It is not God’s wish that men should suffer. God does not tempt man (see James 1:13). Man has brought this condition of affairs upon himself by his disobedience (see Gen. 1:27, 31; 3:15-19; Eccl. 7:29; Rom. 6:23). Since this is the case, God uses these experiences to develop human character according to His will (see 1 Peter 4:12, 13; MH 470, 471, 478). When men are tempted, therefore, they should remember that the temptation comes, not because God sends it, but because He permits it. Moreover, if rightly met, in the strength God supplies, temptations may be the means of accelerating the Christian’s growth in grace. Seeing that God has given assurance that temptations are never beyond the individual’s strength to endure, man himself is entirely responsible for falling into sin.

 God is true to His promises, true to the call He has extended to men to serve Him. If He permitted temptations to come to His people that were beyond their strength to overcome, then His promises would appear to be wholly unreliable (see Ps. 34:19; 1 Cor. 1:9; 2 Peter 2:9). The faithfulness of God is the Christian’s source of security against the enemy. There is no security in depending on self, but if the believer relies entirely on the promises of our covenant-keeping God, he will be safe. However, he should remember that God will not deliver him if he deliberately places himself on the enemy’s ground by going where he is likely to meet temptation (see Matt. 7:13, 14, 24, 25; 1 Cor. 9:25, 27; 10:14; Gal. 5:24; 2 Tim. 2:22; EW 124, 125; MB 118).

Gr. anthrōpinos, “human,” that is, normal for human beings, such as human beings can bear. The Corinthians were not to think that the conditions under which they were expected to live faithful lives were exceptional, and that they had difficulties to meet that were peculiar to them. Their trials and temptations were no different from those experienced by men the world around. This statement seems to be added to the warning of the preceding verse as an encouragement. The Corinthians were in danger of falling, and must watch, but they could take heart because the temptation would not be beyond their strength to endure successfully.