April 26, 2010 Lesson 5 of 1 Corinthians 7

In this chapter Paul is answering specific questions about marriage. These questions had been sent to him by the church at Corinth. His instructions are strict in view of the moral laxity of pagan Corinth and the ‘distress’, etc. referred to in verses 26-35. He shows that marriage and the single life are equally permissible and that each person must find out in which state God intends them to live.
Why did Paul remain single (v7-8)? See v 25-35. Are his reasons relevant for us today? Answer: Paul remained single because he believed not that marriage was bad, rather, that marriage could be a distraction from spreading the gospel. I believe that he does make a point that we tend to get wrapped up in us our lives and pull attention away from God and the study and spread of His Word.


In verses 17-24 Paul is dealing with the wider question of the Christian’s position in the society of his day. What rule is laid down for the Christian three times in these verses? How does this apply to us? Answer: the rule: Stay where God has put you. Don’t look for something different. Everyone is to do His will, not our own, based on the gifts He gave us.


Gather out Paul’s practical teaching about married life (2-5, 10-16) and compare his more theological treatment in Eph 5:22-33. Answer: I think they are saying the same thing about marriage. I think in today’s passage Paul is saying let’s not get wrapped up in marriage and things of the world. Let us focus on God and his return.


Notes
V14There seems to have been a fear in come minds that continued union with an unbeliever after conversion to Christ might be defiling to the Christian partner. Paul says the opposite can happen.
V17-24. Being ‘called’ in this section refers not to a person’s place and function in human society, but to God’s call through Christ to sinners.
V26, 28, 29, 31-35. The trying and transitory character of this present world, the added anxieties of married life, and desire to give undivided devotion to the Lord may provide reasons for abstaining from Unnecessary change or involvement.
V36-38. A difficult section. Paul was probably advising a young man about his fiancée. But he could have been advising a father or guarding about a girl under his care.