June 25, 2012
WALKING FROM POINT A TO POINT B WITHOUT GETTING TRIPPED UP
1 Corinthians 7
Doug Lewis
Central Truth
As redeemed people who were bought with a price, we are called to be faithful followers of Christ in whatever circumstance God places us.
Key Verse | 1 Corinthians 7:17
Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches. (1 Corinthians 7:17)
1 Corinthians 7
Principles for Marriage
1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 1 7:6 Or I say this: 7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.
12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you 2 7:15 Some manuscripts us to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Live as You Are Called
17 Only let each person lead the life 3 7:17 Or each person walk in the way that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservant 4 7:21 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; also verses 22 (twice), 23 when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, 5 7:24 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 29 in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
The Unmarried and the Widowed
25 Now concerning 6 7:25 The expression Now concerning introduces a reply to a question in the Corinthians' letter; see 7:1 the betrothed, 7 7:25 Greek virgins I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. 26 I think that in view of the present 8 7:26 Or impending distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman 9 7:28 Greek virgin; also verse 34 marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. 29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.
36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, 10 7:36 Greek virgin; also verses 37, 38 if his 11 7:36 Or her passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. 37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. 38 So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.
39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
Footnotes
[1] 7:6 Or I say this:[2] 7:15 Some manuscripts us
[3] 7:17 Or each person walk in the way
[4] 7:21 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; also verses 22 (twice), 23
[5] 7:24 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 29
[6] 7:25 The expression Now concerning introduces a reply to a question in the Corinthians' letter; see 7:1
[7] 7:25 Greek virgins
[8] 7:26 Or impending
[9] 7:28 Greek virgin; also verse 34
[10] 7:36 Greek virgin; also verses 37, 38
[11] 7:36 Or her
Dive Deeper | 1 Corinthians 7
Have you ever walked long distances for many hours? Maybe you were in a charity event, raising money based on the number of miles you covered. Perhaps you went hiking in a national park, camping out under the stars. You may even have been stranded because your car broke down, and the last gas station was several miles back. Last year, my family participated in an event at White Rock Lake called "Carry the Load." It took place on Memorial Day weekend to bring attention to the heavy loads borne by our military and military families in service of our country. To illustrate their sacrifice, participants shouldered weighted packs around the lake for varying periods, some in excess of 20 hours. You can imagine how much they appreciated family and friends who walked beside them, brought refreshments, and sometimes took the load onto their own shoulders. There was no happier moment for the supporters than when they set their packs down.
Today's passage deals with a variety of relationships during a time of "present distress," with key emphases on marriage and singleness (verse 26). I am struck by the sweetness of the Holy Spirit in giving detailed instruction on these topics. The Apostle Paul makes clear that both are worthy callings. In short, whether married or unmarried, be content. See each as an opportunity to walk in a manner that will glorify God, perhaps serving as an instrument in God's hands to lead another to Christ (verse 16). In so doing, it will require sacrifice, faithfulness, and oftentimes shouldering the load for another person that God has brought across your path. At other times, you will be that person from whose back the weight is lifted as others step alongside to walk with you through a trying season. Whether you are the one being helped or the one helping, trust Him to be faithful. As Paul also points out, live each day with the realization that our time has been shortened, making the most of our days in His service as recipients of the manifold grace of God (verse 29).
Discussion Questions
1. What does it look like to walk worthily in your present circumstances? Compare today's passage with Romans 6:4 and Ephesians 5:8-11.
2. What prevents you today from wholeheartedly embracing your walk as a single or married person? How do you square your attitude with today's passage and Colossians 3:23-24?
3. How is your walk impacted in light of Hosea 2:19-20?
4. How can you help to "shoulder the load" of another person during his or her time of difficulty?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
1 Corinthians 7-11 (June 25-29)
Read 1 Corinthians 10:1-11.
• In verses 1-10, who is the writer talking about?
• Do you remember all the things that happened with to Israelites in the wilderness?
• What does verse 11 tell us about the Israelites?
• What does it mean for something to be an example for you? What about a warning for you?
• Have you ever thought about learning from someone else's mistakes or example?
• What are some things you have learned from other people just by watching them?
Activity: God gave us His Word so that we would have a clear guide on how to live in a way that brings Him great glory. Let's think back on the stories that He gave us as examples and what we can learn from them. For each story, have someone give a short version of what happened in the story and then everyone talk about what we can learn from them.
Stories: Noah and the Ark; Moses and the Red Sea; Eve in the Garden; Daniel in the Lion's Den; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Fiery Furnace; Joshua and the Wall of Jericho; David and Goliath.