March 10, 2024
Evening Service

Chapter 6 Review:

·      Paul reprimanded those in the church who were taking a brother to court rather than allowing someone in the church to judge for them or simply choosing to accept the loss rather than bring shame to the church.

·      He then magnified any sexual sin as it not only defiles the physical body as well as the inner spirit.  This is again where he revisited the example that each of us are the temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells and we should be glorifying God with both our body and spirit.

·      Paul brought to our remembrance that we are not our own, but “we were bought with a price” of Jesus’ blood which allows us to enter into a relationship with God our Father.

·      As we begin chapter 7, he follows up his warning on sexual immorality by answering a question given to him about how living a celibate life is good and an explanation of marriage.

1Co 7:1-5 Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.  (2)  Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.  (3)  Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.  (4)  The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.  (5)  Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

            Paul here is explaining how God designed sexual intimacy to be reserved for marriage between a man and his wife.  They are to be sexually fulfilled through one another and no one else.  It is a close intimacy that the two of them share and they should each seek to please their spouse in this area.  In keeping each other satisfied it keeps each of them from looking elsewhere for the affection that is designed for marriage only.  As Paul says here, do not deprive one another of this but for only a consented time which is dedicated to growing in the Lord through fasting and prayer.  Many marriages crumble when a spouse withholds intimacy as a tactic to get what they want or as a punishment to the other.  In these instances, our enemy lurks in the shadows with temptations that should not occur in a Christ based home.  This should be something a married couple can talk about and work through issues together.  Through time sex has been viewed in extremes on both end of the scenario.  The older generation portrayed sexual intimacy as “dirty” and the other end of the scale views it in the manner of “if it feels good do it.”  The Hebrew writer tells us:

 

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled.

·      God designed sexual intimacy to be enjoyed between a married man and woman fulfilling one another’s needs and deepening our relationship with one another.  It is a gift from God.

·      Paul now continues now examining those who are single.

 

 

 

 

1Co 7:6-9 But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment.  (7)  For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.  (8)  But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; (9) but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

·      Marriage is not for everyone and Paul describes being able to remain celibate is a gift from God.

·      However, if one is not able to exercise self-control it is better to marry than to be consumed with passion.

·      He now switches back to his focus on marriage trying to clear up some misconception that was causing many Corinthians to get divorced in order to live a closer life to God.

 

1Co 7:10-16 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband.  (11)  But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.  (12)  But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.  (13)  And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.  (14)  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.  (15)  But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.  (16)  For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

·      Divorce is not an option God wants us to pursue.  Marriage is a vow before God to remain together “until death do we part.”  There are circumstances in which divorce is justified and he touches on this shortly here.

·      Paul instructs us that if our spouse is an unbeliever and is willing to stay with us, do just that.  In doing so, a Christian spouse sanctifies (sets apart) the other unbelieving spouse as well as any children involved.  This scenario also make is much more likely that the spouse can be won over to the faith through seeing the wonderful life following Jesus brings.

·      If the spouse chooses to leave, Paul says the believer is to let them go and is not under any bondage after that.

·      Paul begins this next section summarizing what he just told us.

 

1Co 7:17-24 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.  (18)  Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised.  (19)  Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.  (20)  Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called.  (21)  Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.  (22)  For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise, he who is called while free is Christ's slave.  (23)  You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.  (24)  Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.

 

·      Being a Jesus Follower is not about changing yourself externally to conform to the expectations of others, but it is about transforming yourself internally by the work of the Holy Spirit in to image of Jesus.  2 Cor. 3:18 says “we are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

·      Paul continues:

 

1Co 7:25-31 Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy.  (26)  I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—that it is good for a man to remain as he is: (27) Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.  (28)  But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless, such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.  (29)  But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, (30) those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, (31) and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.

·      Paul summarizes again his teaching that both married and unmarried can faithfully serve the Lord.

·      It is interesting that Paul tells those of this generation that “time is short” (verse 29).  If that was true then, how more true it is now.  We need to be proactive in putting first things first.  There is no time to be wasting on frivolous things. 

·      Paul continues with that thought explaining himself.

 

1Co 7:32-35 But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord.  (33)  But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife.  (34)  There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.  (35)  And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.

·      Paul states the obvious as how being married does take some of our focus and energy away from serving the Lord and places it upon pleasing our spouse.  This too can be a downfall in a marriage where spouse places the needs of the other even over their dedication to serving the Lord.  The spouse takes first place in their life pushing God down to second, which will not be blessed.

·      If one was able it would be a very fulfilling life to give yourself totally to God’s service, being married to only Him and giving Him your full attention.  This is not a gifted life that many are able to accomplish.

·      Paul now speaks in a way that many commentaries disagree on.  It seems to make the most sense here that he is continuing his thought on a man choosing a life of celibacy.  Here when he refers to “his virgin,” he is not referring to his daughters, but to his own virginity (referring to is as a she).

 

 

 

 

 

1Co 7:36-40But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry.  (37)  Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well.  (38)  So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.  (39)  A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.  (40)  But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment—and I think I also have the Spirit of God.

·      Paul is instructing a man who at first chooses a life of celibacy and then his desires are stirred up within himself, does not sin by choosing to marry.  He also encourages the one who can stand steadfast in his decision does well (verse 37).

·      Paul also, in verse 39, frees a widow to remarry as long as she remarries within the church (in the Lord).  However, to remain a widow can be rewarding as well in serving the Lord fully.

 

Marriage is a very important part of our society and also our spiritual view of Christ and the church.  We as the church are referred to as the “Bride of Christ” and Jesus as the Bridegroom.  In a proper marriage between a man and a woman their relationship should symbolize the same relationship of Jesus and His church.  This is designed to give us a better understanding of how each one is to work properly.

 

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word and the clarity it gives us to live this Christian life we have been called to.  Empower us to place you first in all of our relationships as You have commanded us to.