Now we can look at 1 Corinthians 7
Here we move into more controversial waters, but before we do, let’s look at some phrases from verses later in this chapter: (v.26) ‘Because of the present crisis’, (v.29) ‘the time is short’, (v.31) ‘For this world in its present form is passing away’.
It is thought that this letter was written around A.D. 55 and it seems that there was an atmosphere of imminent trouble but no-one can be sure what it actually was.
It may have been that with the coming of a new Roman Emperor (Nero, in A.D. 54) there may have been increased anti-Jewish (or anti-Christian) tension. The first Jewish-Roman war started in A.D. 66 but war had almost been triggered when Caligula ordered his statue to be erected in the Temple at Jerusalem. His assassination in A.D. 41 prevented that order being carried out.
Or another possibility is that Paul thought that the second coming of Christ was imminent – but there is little to support that argument and the term ‘present crisis’ (v26) would hardly be appropriate.
Another possibility is that there was a famine (not an unusual occurrence).
Whatever the problem may have been, it is in this atmosphere of uncertainty that Paul now answers various specific questions concerning marriage, but he is careful to distinguish between his own opinion, and commands from the Lord.
It’s best we read through the whole chapter at this point: 1 Corinthians 7
(Perhaps seven readers could each share: 1-6, 7-11, 12-16, 17-24, 25-28, 29-34, and 35-40)
It is obvious that in this chapter Paul is answering specific questions (Now for the matters you wrote about v1) it is also obvious that he was not married when he wrote this letter (v8). It is also apparent that his mind is still concerned with the whole problem of sexual immorality within the church at Corinth (v2). So his reply seems more concerned with the sexual side to marriage instead of the deep love between husband and wife.
So in verses 2, 9 and possibly 36, Paul encourages marriage – and obviously sex within marriage – as the best solution. And for those who are married, to not deny their partner normal sexual relations (v 3-5).
What do we understand by ‘Concession’ in verse 6?
Probably: give-and-take, mutual agreement.
Note that Paul is careful in several of these verses to point out that he is suggesting his own view, not the Lord’s command. He also sees how those who are not married have more time to work for the Lord, and again as he is not married he thinks that that is a good reason to be single! (Verses 26-35)
Now Paul returns to the question of what should people do during the present crisis? Obviously, to unmarried Paul, it is better to be as he is (It saves so many problems!) so he feels that at the moment, it is best for people to stay single (v8, 26-28, 32 & 33, 36-40). But he is quick to point out that the Lord’s command is not to take that as a reason for divorce (v10-13, 27).
Another concern relates to unbelieving partners: look at verses 12-17
12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.
13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.
14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.
16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
Verses 12 and 13 are straightforward. In those days separation and divorce was commonplace and easy. But the bond of marriage, both for Christians and Non-Christians, is one ordained by God as the lifelong permanent relationship between one man as husband and one woman as wife.
Jesus himself confirmed that when two people marry they become ‘one flesh’. Adultery is a sin against that marriage bond and only if that bond has been adulterated and thus broken could there be a valid reason for divorce Matthew 5:32; 19:9; Mark 10:11; Luke 16:18.
So becoming a Christian was no reason to leave a marriage. As Paul is answering specific questions here, it may be that some people in Corinth had thought that one way or another the believing partner might become defiled by living in such close company with someone who was opposed to the Gospel, but Paul argues that the opposite is true.
14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
So how do we understand v14?
What doesn’t it mean?
It can’t mean:
- That the unbelieving partner would be made holy, or become a ‘Christian by association’.
- That the unbelieving partner would gradually be drawn towards Christianity, leading to eventual conversion (Paul is speaking in the present tense and adds that the children are holy now).
It is possible that those asking the questions wondered if their marriage would now be looked upon as impure or offensive because the other party is not a believer. Or that their children may be regarded as somehow illegitimate or unclean. Paul is simply saying that the opposite is true.
But this now raises a further question – are there other areas of my life that should change now I have become a Christian? Again we should remember that Paul is replying to specific questions, and what they were we can only guess.
17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised.
19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts.
20 Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him.
21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you— although if you can gain your freedom, do so.
22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave.
23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.
So what areas of my life should change now that I have become a Christian? Obviously if a person is in an adulterous relationship, Paul has already taught that it must stop. Again if someone earned his living dishonestly, that also must change. (it is also worth reading 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
There can also be situations where our boss (master) can instruct us to do something which is against our Christian conscience, and this may mean that we are unable to continue in that employment.
But what about those in normal secular employment – should they leave and seek employment with other Christians?
No – verses 20 and 24. It is tempting to think that Christians working together must be what the Lord wants but the opposite is true. We are called to be disciples in the world, and until he moves us, we are to stay where we are. How can we be a witness to unbelievers if we keep away from them?
The argument seems to be that we were called to become a Disciple while we were in a particular situation, so it is most probable that that is where we are to witness. For those people we work amongst, we may be the only Christian contact that they will have.
How about the topic of slavery (v21-23)? How might it apply in our society?
Now read 1 Corinthians 7:25-31
25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
Verse 25
25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord,
It seems that there were questions going round the church about whether it would be sensible to marry while there seemed to be trouble brewing. But Paul had difficulty answering as he felt he could only give his own personal views, not the Lord’s. Perhaps he realised that as he was not married, he was not really qualified in these matters!
Looking again at v28 ‘those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this’ v29 ‘the time is short’ and v31 ‘those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.’
But I sense that he was less concerned about whether to marry or not; looking at verses 29-31 Paul seemed to be steering the Christians away from worrying about the problems in this life, but rather to consider whether or not they were ready for the next.
What does the first sentence in verse 31 mean for us today?
Mobile phones????!
Paul also thought that once married, some would have divided loyalty and spend less time working for the Lord.
Now read 1 Corinthians 7:32-40
32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs – how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world – how he can please his wife – 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world – how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
36 If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honourably towards the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin – this man also does the right thing.
38 So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.
39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. 40 In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is – and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
Having said all he did in verses 25-31, he still had specific questions to answer and as a bachelor he did his best. So we have verses 32-40 where Paul basically said ‘It’s best if you stay single, unless you need to get married, in which case you had better get married’.
We’ll leave it there.
