First Corinthians 7
Monday, January 27 1 Corinthians 7:1-7
“Each person has aspecial gift from God”
In verse one Paul reluctantly and withqualification endorses a Corinthian slogan or position, namely that it is goodto abstain from sexual intercourse (the Greek word translated “touch” refers tophysical contact prior to and during sexual intercourse). In verse two Paul offers his qualification:sexual abstinence is, for the most part, inappropriate for wedded couples.
Verses three through seven unpack thisfirst application of Paul’s response to the pro-celibacy faction in theCorinthian church. They advocated completerefraining from sex within marriage, but Paul can imagine only a very limitedrole for such abstinence. A husband andwife should have sex often enough so that neither is frustrated or tempted tocheat on the other. Verse seven offersthe first hint of what verse eight will make explicit. Paul is currently single, and he likes itthat way. He wishes all could share hisenjoyment of singleness but realizes that only some have that particular gift,while others are gifted for marriage. The bottom line, then, is to live faithfully according to the gift,singleness or marriage, that God has given.
You give gifts to different believers,Father, that result in equal goodness. Amen.
Tuesday, January 28 1 Corinthians 7:8-9
“To the unmarriedand widows . . .”
Paul turns fromthe currently married to the previously married, both male and female (“unmarried”is a masculine plural, just as “widows” is a feminine plural). Given that verses 25-38 will address thosewho have never married, we understand the “unmarried” here to refer to menwhose wives had died. The celibacyfaction in the church would of course be telling widowers and widows never toremarry. Paul again affirms that thismay be a good course of action but not if it leads to sexual immorality.
These versesalso make it clear that Paul is currently single. Still, he could have been married previously. If that were the case and his wife had died,he would be one of the “unmarried.” Membersof the Jewish Sanhedrin (ruling council) had to be married, and if that hadbeen Paul’s position before his conversion to Christianity he would certainlyhave been married. So, it may be likelythat Paul was once married, and sees his current singleness as being preferablefor accomplishing the ministry that God had for him, but we simply cannot besure.
Whethersingle or married, Lord, may our sexual behavior be righteous. Amen.
Wednesday, January 29 1 Corinthians 7:10-16
“For those who are married . . .”
Paul returns toaddress those who are married, but this time in light of a different proposalby the pro-celibacy faction. Theyencouraged people to get divorced if they could not live with a spouse withoutengaging in sex. At this point Paul’sability to side with this faction is drastically curtailed. Only when an unbelieving partner walks out ona Christian spouse can Paul permit such a rupture (verses 15-16). Verses 10-11, therefore, seem to be directedto marriages in which both partners are believers.
In verses 12-16,however, Paul addresses the members of mixed marriages. With all the new converts in Corinth, therewere no doubt many couples in which only one of the two had become aChristian. Some believers seem to havefeared that sexual relations with an unbelieving spouse would defile them. Paul disagrees and insists that if the unbelievingpartner is content to stay, the believer must not initiate divorce. The rationale for this is the spin-offblessings for the non-Christian spouse and children.
Bless ourmarriages, Lord, that they may reflect your love for us. Amen.
Thursday, January 30 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
“Remain as you were when God called you”
The main point of this section is statedat the beginning (verse 17), middle (verse 20), and end (verse 24) of theparagraph and can be paraphrased as, “Do not be in a hurry to change theexternal circumstances of your life simply because you have become aChristian.” Verses 18-19 illustrate thisprinciple with the example of circumcision versus uncircumcision. Judaizers sought to force Gentile Christiansto be circumcised, while many Jews who sought acceptance in the Greco-Romanworld underwent a minor surgical procedure to make themselves appear to beuncircumcised.
Verses 21-23 give a second illustration ofthe theme “remain as you are.” Here Paulcontrasts the experience of Roman slaves and freedmen. Neither state makes serving the Lordinherently easier than the other, and there are spiritual senses in whichliteral slaves are free in Christ and literal freedmen slaves to Christ. Yet, Paul encourages slaves to take advantageof any opportunity for freedom, for physical slavery is a form of oppressionthat displeases God.
Help me to be atpeace, Lord, with my social status. Amen.
Friday, January 31 1 Corinthians 7:25-31
“Regarding thosewho have never married”
For those who have never married, Paulrepeats the theme of “remain as you are.” Because these young people are single, like the widows and widowers ofverses 8-9, Paul can be more enthusiastic about celibacy. But he quickly reminds them that hisenthusiasm for abstinence does not carry over to the married and, against thosein Corinth teaching that sex and marriage were inherently sinful, he affirmsthat “if you do marry, you have not sinned.”
Paul speaks of “the present crisis” as areason for his advice. Paul knows thatafter Christ’s first coming, his second coming could take place very soon. This does not mean that Paul had set anydates or necessarily expected the Lord to return within his lifetime. Rather, he believed that it could occur atany moment. All Christians shouldtherefore sense an urgency to serve the Lord caused by the uncertainty of thetime of the end, after which point it will no longer be possible to win anymore people to Christ or to disciple them to maturity. Paul is well aware that the commitments ofmarriage may temper this urgency.
May the cares of this world, Lord, take aback seat to your Kingdom priorities. Amen.
Saturday, February 1 1 Corinthians 7:32-40
“Be free from theconcerns of this life”
Paul gives a second rationale forencouraging those who have never married to stay single. Even if Christ does not come back right away,attending to the concerns of spouse and children takes time away fromministering to the needs of others in both church and world. Yet once again Paul refuses to absolutize hispreferences or endorse without qualification the stance of the pro-celibacy faction. Verse 35 supplies the most crucial clue inthe whole chapter for determining when marriage is or is not appropriate. Whichever state enables one to “do whateverwill help you serve the Lord best” is preferable.
Verses 39-40 round out the chapter byreaffirming monogamy as a lifelong commitment. These verses also contain the only explicit reference to remarriage inthis chapter. Christian widows and, byimplication, widowers are free to remarry, so long as they marry fellowbelievers. As in verse 8, Paulreiterates his preference for the single life but will not absolutize it.
Inevery decision I will consider the question, “How may I best serve theLord?” Amen.