Does God enable the faithful to endure torture?

[Alfred Persson]

Christians throughout the earth are being horribly tortured for their faith, even burned alive. I was wondering if I would pass the test and recalled this verse:

No temptation (3986 πειρασμός peirasmos) has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Cor. 10:13 NKJ)

“Temptation”
3986 πειρασμός peirasmos {pi-ras-mos'}

Meaning: 1) an experiment, attempt, trial, proving 1a) trial, proving: the trial made of you by my bodily condition, since condition served as to test the love of the Galatians toward Paul (Gal. 4:14) 1b) the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy 1b1) an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances…Strong’s

Context favors meaning #1(a), not #1(b) because Paul speaks of escaping so one can endure. One doesn’t “escape to endure” sin, that more properly refers to physical pain. But many commentators understand it refers to both.

If it refers to physical trail, then NET Bible translates the meaning better than other versions:

No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it. (1 Cor. 10:13 NET)

God doesn’t stop the torture, He provides a “way of escape” mentally, so one can endure it, pass the test.

We can infer this from Stephen’s martyrdom:

59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:59-60 NKJ)

Stephen was enabled by heavenly vision to endure the pain, and be concerned only that those stoning him be forgiven.

This premise of divine empowering is found in some texts:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. (Isa. 43:2 NKJ)

3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Ps. 23:3-4 NKJ)


Christ went through the pain and suffering Himself, and was tested enabling Him to aid those also being tested:

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. (Heb. 2:18 NKJ)

This accounts for the reports in the early church in Polycarp, Tertullian, Origen and apocryphal works, of Christians being granted the power to endure their torment, and sometimes rejoicing in the midst of it.

This encouraged me. I have often wondered "do I have what it takes to endure torture?" Honestly, I doubted I do.

Thankfully it doesn't depend on me. God promises I will not be tested more than I can endure, therefore He enables I endure it unto salvation.

No man can remove me from God's hand:

27 "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
28 "And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
29 "My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. (Jn. 10:27-29 NKJ)

25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
26 "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (Jn. 11:25-26 NKJ)

 

[Alfred Persson]

Relevant Scriptures:

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13 NKJ)


Eph 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
1Ti 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,

Col 1:11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;

2Co 12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2Ti 4:17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.