“N OW C ONCERNING ” R EPLY T O T HEIR L ETTER - L IBERTY IN C HRIST - 7:1-16:4 1 C ORINTHIANS 7:1-40 Q UESTIONS ON M ARRIAGE (Instruction, Restrictions, Present Distress, Liberties)

 Marriage not advisable due to “ current distress ” (vs.26) —but marriage is preferred over the sin of fornication (7:1,2)  Both husbands and wives are to fulfill marital responsibilities to one another—if there is a need for fasting and prayer—it must be a temporary separation and by consent of both parties— (7:3-5)  Marriage is a liberty —not a requirement (7:6-9) P RINCIPLES OF M ARRIAGE 1 Corinthians 7:1-9

 Do NOT DIVORCE —but if the sin of DIVORCE occurs—there are only TWO options unless the exception of Matthew 19:9 applies— (7:10,11)  Christians married to unbelievers must not DIVORCE their unbelieving spouses—but if the unbeliever leaves—the Christian must hold fast to the Lord—they may save their spouse— (7:16; cf. 1 Peter 3:1,2) M ARRIAGE V OWS TO BE K EPT 1 Corinthians 7:10-16

Questions About Marriage 1 Corinthians 7:17-19 “ Only, let every one lead the life which the Lord has assigned to him, and in which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. Was any one at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was any one at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.” “ Instruction, Restrictions, Present Distress, Liberties

Questions About Marriage 1 Corinthians 7:20-23 “Every one should remain in the state in which he was called. Were you a slave when called? Never mind. But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity. For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.” “ Instruction, Restrictions, Present Distress, Liberties

Questions About Marriage 1 Corinthians 7:24-27 “ So, brethren, in whatever state each was called, there let him remain with God. Now concerning the unmarried, I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. I think that in view of the present distress it is well for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek marriage. ” “ Instruction, Restrictions, Present Distress, Liberties

Questions About Marriage 1 Corinthians 7:28-30 “ But if you marry, you do not sin, and if a girl marries she does not sin. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. I mean, brethren, the appointed time has grown very short; from now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 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. ” “ Instruction, Restrictions, Present Distress, Liberties

Questions About Marriage 1 Corinthians 7:31-33 “ And those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the form of this world is passing away. I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife. ” “ Instruction, Restrictions, Present Distress, Liberties

Questions About Marriage 1 Corinthians 7:34,35 “And his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman or girl is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please her husband. 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.” “ Instruction, Restrictions, Present Distress, Liberties

Questions About Marriage 1 Corinthians 7:36,37 “If any one thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry--it is no sin. 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.” “ Instruction, Restrictions, Present Distress, Liberties

Questions About Marriage 1 Corinthians 7:38-40 “ So that he who marries his betrothed does well; and he who refrains from marriage will do better. A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If the husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. But in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I have the Spirit of God.” “ Instruction, Restrictions, Present Distress, Liberties

 Social status does not make one more spiritual—but keeping the commandments of God is what matters (7:17-19)  Be content with your social status — belonging to the Lord is what matters (7:20-23)  Serve God is what ever state you are called— (circumcised or uncircumcised; slalve or free; married or unmarried) (7:24) S ERVING G OD W HERE Y OU A RE 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

 Being circumcised is no longer a commandment of God—therefore a change in what constitutes God’s commandments has occurred. (cf. Galatians 5:6; 6:15; Colossians 2:14-17; Ephesians 2:14-16)  We are no longer under the Law of Moses, but the Law of Christ which contains the “commandments” of God for Christians to obey. (Matthew 7:21-23; John 14:15; Hebrews 5:8,9) S ERVING G OD W HERE Y OU A RE 1 Corinthians 7:18,19

 'The central and important issue with Paul was not the external circumstances, but one's response to the call of God. Paul is not saying: "Is your calling to slavery?" He did say: "Were you called (while) being a bondservant?" Well, then, while you are a slave, walk as one called by God. Slavery doesn't prevent you from living like Christ.'  (McGuiggan p. 110) S ERVING G OD W HERE Y OU A RE 1 Corinthians 7:20-22

 “ Now concerning virgins ”—the opening words of this phrase suggest that this was a specific question raised in the Corinthian’s letter. (F.F. Bruce, pg.73)  “ Virgins ”-in the context we find advice given to both unmarried men (7:26-28a) and women (7:28,34,36- 37)  “ But I give my judgment ”-inspired advice- (7:25;vs. 6,7) C ONCERNING V IRGINS 1 Corinthians 7:25,26

 “ Bound unto a wife ”—”did thou marry at one time, and art thou thus married now?” (Lenski, p.313) ‘Are you married?’ (NIV) (7:39; Romans 7:2)  “ Seek not to be loosed ”-do not be seeking (Greek Ex. N.T., pg.832) ‘Present active imperative…”do not be seeking release.” (Robertson, p.132)  Implies that some in Corinth were pro-divorce for “spiritual” reasons. C ONCERNING V IRGINS 1 Corinthians 7:27

 The unmarried may marry and not be guilty of sin —Paul clarifies his statement-” are you loosed from a wife do not seek a wife ”  Must be understood in light of other scripture —Paul is not permitting those unscripturally divorced to remarry!!! (Matthew 5:32; 19:9; Romans 7:3) C ONCERNING V IRGINS 1 Corinthians 7:28

1 Corinthians 7:27,28 = Divorced People? Never married man is “loosed from a wife” His female counterpart is “a virgin” If “Loosed” man is Divorced The “a virgin” is a Divorcee

 Christians must remember that we can’t elevate any of the things of this life above God.  There’s nothing wrong with recreation, entertainment, family events, or social activities—but we must keep all such things in proper perspective. (Matthew 6:33)  Appreciate the good things of life, but we must be willing to sacrifice them, if need be— (1 Timothy 4:4; Luke 14:33) C ONCERNING V IRGINS 1 Corinthians 7:29-31

 “ But I want you to be without care ”-’He closed verse 28 by saying he wished to help them avoid pain. He repeats that in verse 32. Marriage brings vulnerability with it.’ (McGuiggan, pg.117)  “ Things of the world ”- not sinful things—but the things necessary for one’s spouse and family—how they may please each other (33,34) — (cf. Ephesians 5:25-29; 1 Peter 3:7; Colossians 3:19; Deuteronomy 24:5) C ONCERNING V IRGINS 1 Corinthians 7:32-35

 Marriage isn’t for the selfish! -A God given obligation in marriage is to "please" the partner in the marriage. A "normal" marriage from God's point of view, is one in which both partners are " concerned " about " pleasing " the other.  A.T. Robertson - 'But, alas, how many unmarried women (and men) are after the things of the world today and lead a fast and giddy life.' (p. 134; 1931) C ONCERNING V IRGINS 1 Corinthians 7:32-35

 “If any one thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry--it is no sin. 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. So that he who marries his betrothed does well; and he who refrains from marriage will do better.” C ONCERNING V IRGINS 1 Corinthians 7:36-38

 “ A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If the husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. But in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I have the Spirit of God.” C ONCERNING W IDOWS 1 Corinthians 7:39,40

 ‘So long time’ -cf. “while” of Romans 7:2  ‘ She is free to be married ’- ‘The widow is permitted to remarry (though many Jews didn't like that view).' (McGuiggan p. 118)  ‘ To whom she will ’-Being a widow - she had full freedom to make her choice - in contrast to a daughter still at home.  ‘ Only in the Lord ’-various views exist as to what this statement means. C ONCERNING W IDOWS 1 Corinthians 7:39,40

 Her liberty is limited —(1) Marriage must be lawful (2) To marry only in the Lord.  Does this mean she can ONLY marry a Christian?  Could it mean marry one who is eligible to marry by the Lord’s standards…  Never married  Mate has died  One scripturally divorced C ONCERNING W IDOWS 1 Corinthians 7:39,40

“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.” Ephesians 6:1 —same phrase.

 But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment— ( compare with 1 Timothy 5:14 )  Paul claims that the Holy Spirit is the source of his counsel – “ inspiration.”  Paul has been dealing largely with things that fall under the heading of “ Authorized Liberties ” – or “ Expedients.”  However - his counsel in these areas has been guided by Divine wisdom. C ONCERNING W IDOWS 1 Corinthians 7:39,40

“N OW C ONCERNING ” R EPLY T O T HEIR L ETTER - L IBERTY IN C HRIST - 7:1-16:4 1 C ORINTHIANS 7:1-40 Q UESTIONS ON M ARRIAGE (Instruction, Restrictions, Present Distress, Liberties)