An Apostles Heart on . . .

Paul was now making a shift from what he heard, to what he read. He in our passage this morning is going to address some questions asked in writing of him.

Corinthians wrote to Paul inquiring on various topics

Marriage (1Cor7:1-40)

As we look at our passage over the next couple of weeks please keep in mind that Paul is responding to them, to the questions they had of him. We do not have the actual questions, but can make some great assumptions from what Paul says what the questions were.

Paul is not giving a “theology” on marriage but answering direct, specific questions. If you want theology on marriage there are many places that need to be combined on that.

An obstacle in this chapter is many critics believe Paul was “anti-marriage” and he was a “woman hater.” That is not true, Paul answers where Jesus spoke, and his inspired words where it was not addressed by Jesus.

(Transition): The following are other questions that Paul addresses in response to the letter from the Corinthians to him. Those we will deal with when we get to those sections.

Food offered to Idols (1Cor8:1-13)

Spiritual gifts (1Cor12:1-31)

Resurrection of the dead (1Cor15:1-58)

Mission helps (1Cor16:1-4)

(The church in Corinth picture inserted here)

The Corinthians lived in troublesome times; in the Greek world, in their society they were surrounded by, they did not value marriage as God did. Even in the Jewish community marriage was not as God originally created it. The church was trying to live by what God originally set and that was in direct conflict to the culture around the. So, the Corinthians were confused and concerned and that is why they wrote to Paul and had questions. Confused on what teachings they should follow at any cost. What teachings were to be modified? So, again a reminder that Paul is addressing specific questions that the Corinthian church is asking him. And that is the point of view that we need to come to this passage with.

Now in our culture today, the church finds itself in conflict today too doesn’t it? - drive through marriages, no contest divorces for any reason at all. From the LBGQTA agenda trying to redefine marriage, many believe that we are narrow minded, outdated, bigoted and offensive. We too may wrestle with the teachings and the principles just as the Corinthians did.

As we look at this passage this morning may we remember

Written to specific people, specific time, specific questions

There are some things in this section that are cultural, local, temporary and we need to keep that in mind.

As we look, try to look with 1st century eyes, Paul is expecting the imminent return of CHrist and final judgment forthcoming and he wants to warn the church of it.

Paul shares much of his own inspired words when Jesus did not have words to address their specific questions.

You will see the worlds way and God’s way displayed.

It seems that as we look at this chapter, maybe consider these things.

Are people looking for loopholes to get out of marriage?

Were people looking with the lens of divorce?

Don’t let this divisive issue make you a judge of someone’s faithfulness

(Transition) that is a lot to say just in the introduction to our passage today. Just one more thought, we is a gift from go, marriage is a covenant with God, divorce is messy, dirty and heartbreaking to God and to the parties involved in it.

Paul addresses in 1Cor7, three groups of people, today we are looking at two

Christians married to Christians (1Cor7:1-11)

Christians married to non-Christians (1Cor7:12-16)

And some sage advise (1Cor7:17-24)

Christians married to Christians

Our passage deals with celibacy, sex and marriage and the first section of scripture addresses each within the confines of a Christian marriage.

I think we will break it down as we go this morning for all three sections can be lengthy and we don’t want to miss anything. So, look, see, what sticks out to you as we go and if I go to fast or anything let me know.

1 Corinthians 7:1–2 NASB95

1 Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband.

Question: What does Paul say is good (v.1)?

Good for a man not to touch a woman.

we can know from (v.1) that Paul is answering a question back to them and from the answer here it must have to do with Celibacy. So, is celibacy (remaining unmarried) more spiritual than being married?

Question: Look at (v.2) why is each man to have his own wife, and wife have her own husband?

Because of sexual immorality

OK, maybe this is why people think Paul is a marriage hater, because it is only because of sexual immorality. But he is addressing the question, the question pertains to celibacy and Paul is saying hey that is not for everyone, and he will cover more on this as the section continues.

1 Corinthians 7:3–4 NASB95

3 The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, 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 also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

1 Corinthians 7:5–6 NASB95

5 Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 But this I say by way of concession, not of command.

Question: what is the problem, reason why not to deprive one another according to (v.5)?

Because of lack of self-control

Sexual immorality, lack of self control, so men cleave to your wife, wife cleave to your husband, take care of each other except for an agreed time.

Question: Look at (v.6) Is this the Lords command, or Paul’s concession

It is Paul’s concession.

Jesus does not address the issue of celibacy outside of speaking of Eunuch’s and you can read that in Mt19:10-12) for we know what God says, it is not good for man to be alone (Gen2:18)

1 Corinthians 7:7–8 NASB95

7 Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that. 8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.

Question: Look at (v.7) How does Paul look at Celibacy since that is the topic, question at hand?

A gift from God.

Not a gift that everyone has, but he also is saying to others the gift of marriage is given

Now look at (v.8) it seems Paul is saying it is better to be celibate, unmarried, for that is how he is. Again, keep in mind the question, keep in mind the gift, keep in mind God’s original direction (marriage); oh wait, keep in mind the thought pattern Paul is writing from the imminent return of Christ.

(Transition) now we see a shift from speaking on celibacy to speaking on marriage, from Paul’s inspired words to the Lords words.

1 Corinthians 7:9–10 NASB95

9 But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 10 But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband

1 Corinthians 7:11 NASB95

11 (but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.

Question: why get married according to (v.9)?

For it is better than to burn with passion.

Then you see the shift addressing the married, wife stay married to your husband, husband do not divorce your wife, but wait have another question to ask.

Question: Paul, summarizing Jesus teachings says if divorced (wife leaving husband) then what are the instructions?

She is to remain unmarried, or be reconciled to husband.

Now another reminder, all have value in the kingdom the married and the unmarried, to some the gift of marriage, to others the gift of celibacy both should be done for the glory of God and the kingdom of God.

Remember the implied question back in (v.1) about celibacy, the Gentile Christians thought being unmarried was a higher calling and more spiritual. It would also seem that the Church asked about divorce too and Paul starts to address that, and has more to say on the question too.

Divorce has to be the last option for we know Jesus says be reconciled, we know God hates divorce and even when it is permissible (for fornication) it is not good. Restoration is better if possible when repentance and forgiveness are brought into it.

(Transition) God’s plan was for man to leave his parents and to cleave to his wife and be one flesh, so it is heartbreaking when divorce happens. And that leads to a Corinthian problem.

Christians married to non-Christian’s

I guess this section could have started in (v.10) but in the majority of it, it is addressing gentiles, or those who were gentiles and are now married to unbelievers.

1 Corinthians 7:12–13 NASB95

12 But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away.

Question: Is this Paul’s commission or the Lord’s command (v.12) pay attention to the wording?

To the rest, I say, not the Lord . . .

to the rest would be those who were not Christians married to Christians. There were many who were coming to Christ who were already married and some believed they needed to leave the unbelieving spouse

Question: What is the instruction given in (vv.12-13)?

In summary must stay married, must not put away.

It was because of hardness of heart that Moses allowed for divorce.

Jesus gave only one reason for divorce, and even though there is a reason does not mean it has to be exercised does it?

Salvation does not discount marriage, it does not change the status us marriage, if anything salvation should enhance marriage. May we take a quick jaunt over to what Peter says about Christian to non-Christian marriage?

1 Peter 3:1–2 NASB95

1 In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the behavior of their wives, 2 as they observe your chaste and respectful behavior.

1 Peter 3:3–4 NASB95

3 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.

Question: In looking at 1Pt3:1-4; how can an unbelieving husband be won?

By chaste respectful behavior (v.2); by hidden person of the heart (v.4) and gentle and quiet spirit (v.4)

(Transition) Now turning back to our passage; Paul gives some more information to help the Corinthian problem and we can learn from it too.

1 Corinthians 7:14–15 NASB95

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. 15 Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.

1 Corinthians 7:16 NASB95

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?

Becoming a Christian should never be a reason for divorce

Any separation from unbelieving spouse needs to be at the initiating of the unbelieving spouse

Paul assures the believer that the children are sanctified because of your Christianity

Paul reminds them to be be an example to the unbelieving spouse for you don’t know if you may be God’s instrument to help bring salvation to them.

In our society today we can see the same type of issue, someone becomes a Christian and outlook and behavior changed, values changed, directions change. One is bound for heaven and the other is not. More diligence is needed to protect your walk with Christ and not to compromise your Christian morals as laid out in the scripture and still be respectful to unbelieving spouse. Hence why we are told by Paul in 2Cor6 about a believer marrying an unbeliever is not good, it is an act of disobedience. You can read that in 2Cor6:14-15 on your own.

(Transition) A quick summary thus far, for that leads us to our next section some sage advise.

Do not leave your husband (v.10)

If you do, then remain unmarried or reconcile (v.11)

These are Paul’s words not the Lord’s commands (vv.12-16)

Some sage advise

An Apostles heart gives some sage advice regarding marriage (implied here) as well as our calling, position in Christ.

When you were called, you were transferred out of the darkness into the kingdom of the beloved Son. You became the Lord’s possession. You were not perfect before and could have been called in any position, possession or circumstance.

1 Corinthians 7:17–18 NASB95

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. 18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised.

Question: What is Paul’s direction (v.17)?

As God has called, in this manner walk

Paul goes on and gives manners in which called after that.

circumcision, uncircumcision

Slave, or freeman

1 Corinthians 7:19–20 NASB95

19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.

Question: According to (v.20) how is someone to remain?

Remain in the condition in which you were called.

1 Corinthians 7:21–22 NASB95

21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. 22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave.

1 Corinthians 7:23–24 NASB95

23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.

Question: Draw a conclusion here, why are you to remain in the condition in which you were called (vv.23-24)?

You were bought with a price, regardless of your condition, circumcision, uncircumcision, slave or free, married or unmarried. All are the same.

Be content in marriage, be content in being unmarried, be content with being a widow. So regardless of your place or position, be content.. Stay as you are.

(summary to close) - be content, stay as you are, God loves you regardless, so love others too and be content with them in whatever position they are in too. Remember Paul is writing to the church, a church that had division problems. Paul share his heart trying to answer questions they asked, may we too be willing to share our heart too. Possession matters not position. Are you in possession of Jesus Christ? If so, then the rest is not salvation issues.