READING 1 CORINTHIANS, CHAPTER 7

 

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

 INTRODUCING 1 CORINTHIANS, CHAPTER 7 (NLT)

 First Corinthians 7 follows Paul's teaching in the previous chapter, which focused mostly on avoiding sexual immorality. This letter is in response to questions they had asked him in their letters to him. Here he commands married husbands and wives not to deprive each other of sex, or get divorced, in a misguided attempt to be more spiritual. Unmarried people who can live contentedly without sex, however, should consider remaining single to serve Christ undivided. Getting married is good, but the time is short. The form of this world is passing away. Unmarried people should think about the opportunities to avoid the trouble that comes with staying single and to serve Christ. (https://www.bibleref.com/1-Corinthians/7/1-Corinthians-chapter-7.html)

Concerning Married Life, 1-16, Mrs. Elnora

¹Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to abstain from sexual relations.^[a] 2 But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. ³ The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. ⁴ The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife. ⁵ Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control. ⁶ I say this as a concession, not as a command. ⁷ But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another. ⁸ So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows—it’s better to stay unmarried, just as I am. ⁹ But if they can’t control themselves, they should go ahead and marry. It’s better to marry than to burn with lust. ¹⁰ But for those who are married, I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord.^[b] A wife must not leave her husband. ¹¹ But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to him. And the husband must not leave his wife. ¹² Now, I will speak to the rest of you, though I do not have a direct command from the Lord. If a fellow believer^[c] has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to continue living with him, he must not leave her. ¹³ And if a believing woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him. ¹⁴ For the believing wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the believing husband^[d] brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy. ¹⁵ (But if the husband or wife who isn’t a believer insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the believing husband or wife^[e] is no longer bound to the other, for God has called you^[f] to live in peace.) ¹⁶ Don’t you wives realize that your husbands might be saved because of you? And don’t you husbands realize that your wives might be saved because of you?

SECTION QUESTIONS:

1. What advice did Paul give for one to be able to avoid fornication? (V.2)

2. What did Paul say about the unmarried and widows? (V.8-9)

3. What instructions were given about the unbelieving spouse? (V.13-14)

4. Why is it important for the unbelieving spouse to stay? (V.16)

Thought Questions:

1.  Does divorce nullify a marriage? That is, is it permissible for the divorced to remarry? Why or Why not? 

2. We learned that a believing spouse should not leave an unbelieving spouse if they want to remain in the marriage. Is it ok for a Christian to choose to marry a non-Christian?

Concerning Change of Status, Part 1, Verses 17-28, TBA

¹⁷ Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches. ¹⁸ For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it. And the man who was uncircumcised when he became a believer should not be circumcised now. ¹⁹ For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments. ²⁰ Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. ²¹ Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. ²² And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. ²³ God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.^[g] 24 Each of you, dear brothers and sisters,^[h] should remain as you were when God first called you. ²⁵ Now regarding your question about the young women who are not yet married. I do not have a command from the Lord for them. But the Lord in his mercy has given me wisdom that can be trusted, and I will share it with you. ²⁶ Because of the present crisis,^[i] I think it is best to remain as you are. ²⁷ If you have a wife, do not seek to end the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not seek to get married. ²⁸ But if you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it is not a sin. However, those who get married at this time will have troubles, and I am trying to spare you those problems.

SECTION QUESTIONS:

1. What's more important than circumcision? (V.19)

2. Explain verse 22. 

3. What did Paul say about being married or not being married? (V.27)

Thought Questions: 

1. Do you think Paul is endorsing slavery in verses 21-23? Why or why not? 

2. What do you think is the crisis Paul spoke about in verse 26? 

3. What does Paul mean by saying, "...those who get married at this time will have troubles, ..."

4. Is it better to be married or not? Why?

Concerning Change of Status, Part 2, Verses 29-40, Destiny

²⁹ But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage. ³⁰ Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. ³¹ Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away. ³² I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. ³³ But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. ³⁴ His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. ³⁵ I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. ³⁶ But if a man thinks that he’s treating his fiancée improperly and will inevitably give in to his passion, let him marry her as he wishes. It is not a sin. ³⁷ But if he has decided firmly not to marry and there is no urgency and he can control his passion, he does well not to marry. ³⁸ So the person who marries his fiancée does well, and the person who doesn’t marry does even better. ³⁹ A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord.^[j] 40 But in my opinion, it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God’s Spirit when I say this.

SECTION QUESTIONS:

1. What did Paul mean in verses 29-31? (V.32-33)

2. What's the spiritual difference between the married and the unmarried? (V. 34)

3. How long is a wife bound to her husband? (V.39)

4. What was Paul's opinion on a widow not remarrying? (V.40)

Thought Questions: 

1. What would you say are the main points to be taken away from this chapter? 

2. Is what Paul saying here a command or suggestion? 

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Romans 14:17 - For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Not ceremonies or acts)

Prayer Confession for 1Corinthians, Chapter 7:

Heavenly Father, thank You for my life and for the gifts and graces that have been given me from above. May I walk in a way that honours You in my marriage, my home, and my church family. May I conduct myself well in the situation to which You have assigned me. And may my choices in life be wise and honourable, as I become increasingly conformed into Christ’s image and likeness. I pray that others will begin to see Jesus in me, to the glory of His name. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.

(Source: https://prayer.knowing-jesus.com/1-Corinthians/7/17)