sf182 - Instructions Concerning Marriage (1 Corinthians 7 1-40)

1 Corinthians 7:1-40

Introduction

The remainder of 1 Corinthians Paul answers questions presented by the Corinthians.

Chapter 7 – Marriage

Chapter 8 – Food offered to idols

Chapter 15 – The resurrection of the dead

Chapter 16 – The missionary offering for the Jews

What we have are answers to specific questions not full systematic theologies.

He gives instructions to three groups…

Christians Married to Christians

Christians Married to Non-Christians

Unmarried Christians

1A. Instructions to Christians Married to Christians. (7:1-11)

1B. Purity and loyalty are essential to marriage. (7:1-2)

Self-control is to be practiced. (7:1)

Temptation is to be avoided. (7:2)

2B. Availability to your mate is required. (7:3-6)

Mutual submission is commanded. (7:3-4)

Temporary celibacy is permitted. (7:5-6)

3B. Singleness is commended. (7:7-9)

Concession, (surgnome); awareness, he is aware of the advantages of singleness and the responsibilities of marriage.

Singleness is a gift from God. (7:7-8)

Singleness is not for everyone. (7:9)

Let them marry, aorist imv; Get married!

Burn, present tense, to be inflamed

4B. Divorce is unacceptable. (7:10-11)

We are to seek to remain married. (7:10; Matthew 5:32; 19:8-9)

We are to seek to be reconciled with our mate. (7:11)

2A. Instructions for Christians Married to Non-Christians. (7:12-24)

Paul does not disclaim divine inspiration for what he wrote, instead he is referring to what Jesus taught (Matthew 5:31-32; 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12; Luke 16:18).

1B. We are to seek to stay married. (7:12-16)

God has ordained marriage. (7:12-13)

Genesis 2:24 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

God will use your marriage. (7:14, 16; 1 Peter 3:1-2)

The marriage bond can be broken in three ways. (7:15)

Ø Abandonment

Depart (chorizo, present passive, 2nd occurrence is imperative) to divide, separate; carries the idea of divorce.

The context seems to indicate that the abandonment was related to the believer’s faith.

Ø Adultery (Matthew 19:9)

Sexual immorality (perinea, noun), generally, of every kind of extramarital, unlawful, or unnatural sexual intercourse

Adultery (moichao, present middle), middle, of the man commit adultery, be an adulterer

Ø Death (7:39)

Romans 7:2 “For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband.”

“In the Scripture, whenever legitimate divorce occurs, remarriage is assumed. Where divorce is permitted, remarriage is permitted.” (MacArthur)

2B. We are to bloom where we are planted. (7:17-24)

Our religious past is not important. (7:17-20)

Ø Called, refers to the effectual call to salvation

Ø Our present relationship is what is important.

Our social standing is not important. (7:21-24)

Ø Availability not ability.

3A. Instructions to Unmarried Christians (7:25-40)

Judgment (gnome); judgment, consideration, and conviction

1B. Consider the present circumstances. (7:25-31)

The difficulty of the days (7:25-26)

Distress, (ananke); a stress, calamity

The imminence of Christ’s return (7:27-31)

2B. Face the responsibilities honestly. (7:32-35)

The single lifestyle allows for a better focus on Christ. (7:32, 35)

The married lifestyle presents more distractions. (7:33-34)

3B. Keep your relationships pure. (7:36-38)

Do not lead the other person in the relationship on. (7:36)

Do not allow yourself to be trapped into doing something wrong. (7:37)

It is always right to do right. (7:38)

4A. Remember that marriage is for life. (7:39-40)

Marriage is to be permanent.

Re-marriage is permitted if it is to a believer and if it is God’s will.

Application

Singleness is good if God has gifted you to be single.

Marriage is to be taken seriously.

Marriage is to be held as sacred.

God is to honored in all our relationships.

1 Corinthians 7:1-40

1A. Instructions to Christians Married to ___________________________. (7:1-11)

1B. Purity and loyalty are _______________________ to marriage. (7:1-2)

Self-control is to be practiced. (7:1)

Temptation is to be avoided. (7:2)

2B. Availability to your ________ is required. (7:3-6)

Mutual submission is commanded. (7:3-4)

Temporary celibacy is permitted. (7:5-6)

3B. Singleness is ________________________. (7:7-9)

Singleness is a gift from God. (7:7-8)

Singleness is not for everyone. (7:9)

4B. Divorce is unacceptable. (7:10-11)

We are to seek to ______________________ married. (7:10; Matthew 5:32; 19:8-9)

We are to seek to be reconciled with our mate. (7:11)

2A. Instructions for Christians Married to Non-_____________________. (7:12-24)

1B. We are to seek to __________ married. (7:12-16)

God has ordained marriage. (7:12-13; Genesis 2:24)