“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” - 1 Cor. 10:12
Paul spends three chapters in the book of 1 Corinthians calling the church to turn from idolatry. His argument culminates in chapter 10, where he reminds them that the majority of the wilderness generation also received many blessings, but were not actually saved.
The argument reveals Paul’s concern for the church. They had professed Christ, but were moving into idolatry with arguments about freedom and knowledge, rather than with genuine reliance on Christ.
Paul’s warning in 10:12 is a stark reminder that externals simply don’t matter. The wilderness generation had participated in crossing the Red Sea, had received supernatural sustenance, and had heard the voice of God on the mountain.
Still, they quickly fell when Moses left them, and their bodies fell in the wilderness.
Paul connects these events to the Corinthian church, and to every successive generation. The warning is simple—external participation in the body of Christ is no guarantee.
This is what Paul means when he says ‘him who thinks he stands’. The one who believes he is standing because of his external conformity is actually not standing at all. Instead, he is resting on things that simply won’t support him in the end.
Instead, Paul’s warning has a message of hope. The one who stands on Christ—who truly knows and loves the Savior—will stand and not fall.
Confidence in our righteousness or our participation in religious things is empty. But confidence in Christ and His finished work is certain and sure.
Paul’s warning should send our hearts back to Christ. Where is our confidence? Do we trust in Him and His finished work and love for us? Or have we allowed other things to become our hope?
