[Greek] ἔκβασις (ekbasis), [Latin] posse sustinere, [French] maintenir, [Latin] exitus, [German] konnen, [German] ende: exit, outcome, way of escape, endpoint of duration, result; 1Cor.10:13, Heb.13:
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means departure, way out of, embarkation, disembarkation, escape from, completion, termination, and accomplishment.
Plato’s Laws 10.784a: “Everything comes into being by this process of change and alteration. The departure necessarily goes together with an increase in being.”
Sophocles’ Electra 154: “Not to you alone has sorrow come, though you face it with less restraint.”
Euripides’ Hippolytus 834: “My lord, it is not upon you alone that ills have come!”
Homer’s Odyssey 5.410: “I have cleaved my way across the sea, nowhere does there appear a way to come forth from the sea.”
Aeschylus’ Suppliant Women 771: “The disembarking of an army cannot be effected with success before a ship has confidence in her mooring.”
Euripides’ Medea 279: “My enemies are making full sail against me, and there is not haven from disaster that I can reach.”
Epictetus: “There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.”
New Testament: This term means end (of a duration), result, and way of escape. Paul warns the Corinthians about being overconfident, potentially leading one to fall. God will not let us be tried beyond our own capability. God will also provide a way out of these struggles. The Hebrews’ writer calls upon the Hebrew Christians to consider their leaders’ outcome (achievements in life) in following the word of God. The Christians are called to imitate their faith.
Scripture:
“Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” Heb.13:7
The Christians are called to consider and follow the example of their spiritual leaders. Although the leaders have passed, the message of Christ lives on. The Christians have no cause to lose their faith.
“No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial He will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.” 1Cor.10:13
This scripture comes immediately after Paul’s warning against being overconfident of falling into temptation, sin, and idolatry. Yet, God will provide a means for you to bear and to get past these struggles.
Etymology: The Greek verb ekbasis consists of (ek-) out and (-baino) to go. The Greek noun basis means a step, a going, and a stand. The Latin noun posse means power and ability. The Latin verb sustinere means to support, to sustain, to hold back. The Latin clause posse sustinere means to be able to bear.
“I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.” St. Mother Teresa
“But, God. Why do I have to handle so much!” Me
Conclusion:
Possible, possibly, possibility, exit, maintain, halt, basis, can [able to do], sustain
In Greek Hellenism, this term makes reference to exiting, transitioning from one stage to another, and enduring.
Epictetus offers an interesting psychological perspective in how one deals with struggles beyond one’s control: just accept what is happening to you.
On a personal level, 1Cor.10:13 has become one of my favorite scriptures. I have gone through many repeated struggles, many times not understanding why. I am also frequently amazed that I have been able to get through these struggles. Yet, I must give credit to the Holy Spirit for giving me this strength. Yet, I feel encouraged that God has and will provide a way out it for me.
I thought that I was destined to have a married life. Instead, God, having other plans for me, saw to it that I would remain single, becoming a single catechist. (God provided me a better way out from my struggles.)
Update: We must pray that those affected by Hurricane Ian will be able to rebuild their lives after this devastation.
Many of us are already thinking: “God, why do you allow these things to happen?”
Perhaps: “Is God telling us to focus on Him, rather than earthly things?” Maybe God is providing us a way to focus on eternity.
Because of this hurricane, perhaps God is providing a way for some of us to accumulate spiritual treasures (donations [blood, supplies, and services], praying for others, and serving others, etc.) At the end of the day, we can’t take our earthly stuff (things) with us to heaven.
Many of us are already painfully aware when seeing our elderly loved ones transition from a healthy state to hospice care.
It goes without saying each of us will handle sorrow and tragedy in our own unique way. (Just as with the victims of natural disasters and political suppression).
Many of can take comfort that we have friends and God accompanying us in this journey of struggles.
It is always a wonder how God provides each of us a way out of struggles and difficulties.
Many of us are looking forward to the upcoming election to select candidates who lead us out of these failed policies.
Many of us are facing unavoidable struggles and difficulties in which there seems to be no way out.
The West must continue to provide support for a positive outcome for Ukraine.
We all should look to the saints in setting an example for how to live our lives.
A current military principle following Epictetus: “Embrace the suck!”
As we exit this post, we will look at which treasures we need to store up for our (retirement) eternal life. Some will set aside or keep in storage the wrong priorities in life. We all must be careful not to store up God’s wrath as we all will be judged by Him. As a result, we all need to be aware to take advantage of opportunities to gather up spiritual treasures. These are situations where others need our help to get them of out of their trials.
Next post: to store up and to lay up (not basketball)