Apostles heart on married, unmarried

Specific

The Corinthian church wrote to Paul with some specific concerns to them. Paul continues to address them in return. Where the Lord spoke, taught pointed to the Lord. Where the Lord did not, Paul offers his wisdom. Previously Paul had briefly addressed the unmarried and the widows (1Cor7:8-9) now will go and fill in more blanks, give more thoughts and details on this important subject.

1 Corinthians 7:8–9 NASB95

8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I. 9 But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

Question: Who is speaking here, is it God’s words or Paul’s thoughts (1Cor7:8-9)?

It is Paul speaking to the unmarried and to the widows here.

The question must have been “must a Christian get married, or should a Christian abstain from or put away marriage?” Jesus did not give any specific teaching on the subject so Paul offers his words on the subject to the unmarried (virgins) and the widows.

Previously we have in this chapter looked at celibacy, being unmarried, looked at marriage, sex, divorce and touched on remarriage too. We finished off with be content where you are.

1 Corinthians 7:24 NASB95

24 Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.

This morning we will touch on, because Paul addresses these things.

Present distress (circumstances) (1Cor7:25-28)

Implications of eternal perspective (1Cor7:29-35)

Some final thoughts concerns, application (1Cor7:36-40)

Consider present distress

Remember as we look at the passage Paul is responding to specific questions from specific people in a specific place at a specific time. We need to come to the passage with 1st Century eyes and look for 21 century application.

1 Corinthians 7:25–26 NASB95

25 Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy. 26 I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is.

1 Corinthians 7:27–28 NASB95

27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.

What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?

It was a time of distress (v.26) The world was going through some changes (v.31). There was limited time left for serving (v.29) The view at the time to the Christians was the imminent return of the Lord. So time was limited to serve the Lord but there were questions, so now let’s look at the passage and pull from it.

1 Corinthians 7:25–26 NASB95

25 Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy. 26 I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is.

Question: In (v.25) is this from the Lord or is it Paul’s opinion?

I have no command of the Lord. . . I give an opinion

Jesus did not teach on every subject, concerning virgins in the current time of distress Paul addresses their question and gives his inspired opinion.

The present distress as mentioned a few minutes ago could be their view of the return of the Lord anytime now, so why get married. It can be Fathers are concerned for their virgin daughters and should he arrange a marriage (culture) or not? You can tie this in with (v.36) seems to be addressing as a father a daughter who is of age.

(Transition) now let’s step back a couple more steps and see what more could be the present distress.

1 Corinthians 7:27–28 NASB95

27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.

Question: In looking at (vv.27-28) what is Paul trying to convey in your own words?

I believe part of the current distress is some couples were becoming Christians, some only one person was and they were thinking they should divorce unbelieving spouse.

Paul is still giving his opinion and with the view of limited time to serve he is saying, stay as you are, it is not a sin. Paul feels it is better to be unmarried (v.8) for then you can undivided serve the Lord.

(Transition) Paul is not instructing everyone not to get married, he already spoke on that, what he is doing is saying be prepared for what accompanies marriage, difficulties (troubles) because of the times, with the 1st century eyes of eminent return of Christ and split concerns (married for the wife and the Lord).

So, even today people looking to get engaged and married need to consider these things too, with marriage there is blessings, and troubles, be ready for them, and in marriage it will impact you and the Lord (insert story how it magnified the Lord even more in my marriage for my ministry work; share how it impacted Tabby too).

This all leads to next section

Implications of eternal perspective

Peter, John, Paul were all looking for the return of Christ, in fact Peter and the apostles asked Jesus for signs on when it was going to happen (Mt24:3; 1Cor1:7; Php3:20; Tit2:13; 2Pt3:12-13) if you want to check out some of the passages. Having the right perspective matters.

Matthew 24:3 NASB95

3 As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

So Peter here is acknowledging his belief that Christ was coming again. (Mt24:3)

Titus 2:13 NASB95

13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,

Paul says we are looking for the blessed hope, the appearing (Tit2:13)

(Transition): There are a couple other scriptures referenced in section header, you can look those up. I just want you to get the mindset of the times now may we turn to the passage.

1 Corinthians 7:29–30 NASB95

29 But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; 30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess;

1 Corinthians 7:31–32 NASB95

31 and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away. 32 But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;

1 Corinthians 7:33–34 NASB95

33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

1 Corinthians 7:35 NASB95

35 This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.

What did you see, what did you notice, what sticks out to you?

Question in looking at (1Cor7:29-31) What is Paul saying?

The time is shortened

Form of this world is passing away

With the eternal perspective that the return of Christ is upon them,

Now something else to consider for Paul considered himself dead to the world (Gal6:14) and we are dead to sin, but alive in Christ (Rom6:11) - these are not on your outline, maybe just note them down

Galatians 6:14 NASB95

14 But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Dead to the world, dead to sin.

Romans 6:11 NASB95

11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

So maybe the perspective is life as you know it is over, it is new in Christ Jesus and that needs to be the focus. Remember the current situation

Expecting Christ’s return

New Christians thinking they were to divorce unbelieving spouse. but let me now press on and lets see what more

Question: Look at (v.32) what is Paul’s desire, his want?

To be without care, be concerned about how to please the Lord.

Question: According to (v.33) what is the married man concerned about?

How to please his wife

Wait, is that a bad thing? Is that not a primary thing for a husband? I guess we could look at Eph5:21-33, but then maybe not today, that is for another day.

Question, not on your sheet, what was the view of Paul and the people at that time? - the imminent return of Christ

Question: Why does Paul in (v.35) say this is for your own profit?

So that you may serve the Lord without distraction ( refer to LK2:37-38)

Luke 2:37–38 NASB95

37 and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. 38 At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

(Transition) There is still a little more to go as Paul circles back to speak a little more on previously addressed issues, so we will join Paul on the continued journey and then wrap this up.

Final thoughts and concerns

Paul now speaks to fathers of virgin daughters, and a strong reminder that marriage is to be for life.

1 Corinthians 7:36–37 NASB95

36 But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry. 37 But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, he will do well.

1 Corinthians 7:38–39 NASB95

38 So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better. 39 A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?

I’ll bet you thought I forgot to ask that question, huh? No way, was just holding out on you.

Question: Who is Paul addressing in (v.36)?

To the father of a virgin daughter (implied)

Another question, why do you think Paul is even addressing this issue here?

Could it be because of the current distress?

Maybe it is because they asked him in letter.

Remember that the largest part of this chapter has been “stay as you are as you were called.” with the view that Christ was coming soon. So there seems to be questions about virgin daughters (and he mentioned them before (v.25).

Question: Read (vv.37-38) what is Paul saying, in summary here?

The father is to do best, either give daughter in marriage or not, either way it is not sin.

In (v.38) he says not to give is better, again backing up what has previously said “stay as you are.”

This is a time and a culture where most marriages were arranged, so the father wants to know should he still do this?

Paul let’s them know it is OK for them to stay unmarried, to stay a virgin so can serve the Lord undivided.

(Transition) that sets us up into (vv.39-40) Lets look at those again and see if we get the main point!

1 Corinthians 7:39–40 NASB95

39 A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

Question: What is Paul’s position regarding widows? (look at (v.40 for answer)?

She is happier if she remains as she is.

Question: read (v.39) again, what conclusion can you draw from the verse regarding the longevity of marriage?

Marriage is to be for life, until death due us part (implied)

(Transition) Paul is not extensive, nor was the Lord and does not address every situation. Each situation is unique. Paul is addressing specific questions from specific people at a specific time in a time of current distress.

I think in review of chapter 7 the seriousness given to marriage, God takes marriage seriously, as does Paul. We know there is a divorce clause in the scripture, but that is not God’s will for we know God hates divorce (Mal2:14-16). And let me just sum up chapter 7.

Celibacy - it’s not for everyone

If you are married, keep healthy sex life

Don’t look for a divorce

Marriage is sacred; it is a blessing and needs to be treated as such

Remember time is short when have eternal perspective so serve the Lord.

(Pray) (Exit)