Epistles of Paul 36

Well, good evening, brethren. In the last study, we covered 1 Corinthians 7, the first section, through to verse 16. In verse 1, we saw that Paul began addressing questions which the Corinthian brethren had asked him.

And it started by saying, it is good for a man not to touch a woman. And that obviously is in the context of not touching her inappropriately, not to practice fornication or adultery and or any other immoral activity.

And then from verse 2 to 5, he talks about to avoid sexual immorality, spouses should fulfill their conjugal obligations, as it refers to the Chi'a, except for consent, for fasting, or a reason like that.

And then, starting from verse 6 to verse 9, he addresses the unmarried and widows. And it is important to understand that he is addressing this chapter in the context of the present distress that we read in verse 26.

I suppose, therefore, that this is good because of the present distress. So there were certain challenges or difficulties occurring in Corinthian, in the Corinthian area.

And therefore, we have instructions here, which in a sense are time sensitive, which represents the context of this letter and of these instructions.

It was in a context that also that Paul believed that we're in the end time.

We read that also a little later in verse 29. We see in verse 9, but this I say, brethren, that the time is short so that now even those who have wives should be as though they had none. So he was thinking that time was very sensitive. I don't know if any of you have heard of what they call Maslow's hierarchy of needs. And in that triangle, that concept of hierarchy of needs basically implies that when things are very difficult and you have just about everything taken away from you, your primary concern is survival, survival issues like food and things like that. Then, as certain conditions start improving, then you start looking at other needs, up that ladder of needs, which then gets down to a layer of needs of love and satisfaction.

And then, as it goes further to the top of that pyramid of the hierarchy of needs, is when you get to a point of fulfillment and satisfaction, fulfillment, and being able to adequately serve others and give to others. So it's in that concept of needs that when we think of the present stress, they were in a situation that they could very well be the brethren in Corinth in a situation of survival mode, or at least emotionally in a survival mode.

And so that present stress was a condition or a context of these instructions.

And therefore, it says to the unmarried and widows, it says, well, it's not a commandment, it's not a law in the Bible, but it is judgment.

That's why it says to them, it is good for them to remain even as I am, to stay in that status.

But if you can't control your passions, as it says in verse 9, then it's better to marry rather than get involved in sexual immorality.

And then in verse 10 and 11, it gives instructions to the married, in this case, both in the church.

And then in verses 12 through 16, instructions to the rest, in which that is one mate is in the church, and the other mate is unconverted. So we have two people, one is in the church or one is converted, and one is not.

And then he addresses that situation. And then he says, again, that it is his advice.

Because, again, there are no instructions in the Bible before this from the Lord, for instance, from Christ, during Christ's time, about this specific situation.

And so to the rest, then he says, listen, if you can, if the spouse is willing to live with you, is pleased to dwell with you, then stay so.

Stay together. And we covered that quite extensively in the previous study.

So we also covered in the previous study two reasons for divorce, specifically sexual immorality or paranoia, which includes adultery and all forms of sexual misconduct.

And then the other one is the unbeliever, not pleased to dwell with the believer. And that is covered in Section 15, verse 15 of 1 Corinthians 7.

I also mentioned that there may be cases in which a believer becomes or turns over time to be in an unbelieving state.

And that is a very sad situation and can cause and trigger a lot of problems.

And then the other situation besides those two reasons for divorce is an annulment, which I can also cover in the previous study, which is a fraudulent situation or a marriage in which there was some deception.

In other words, some information was withheld from the other party, which if he or she knew that information, he or she might not or might have decided not to get married.

And so we went through that as explained that would be, therefore, an annulment. And also, the situation we have is that every case, every situation is unique, is different.

And quite often, members in the church can look at the situation and say, this, that, and why is this, why is that?

And one needs to be sensitive that we don't know we as members in the church. We don't know all the facts. And whilst maybe the ministry knows a lot more facts and has made some judgments or decisions on this matter.

So once again, we are talking about an environment, which is or a context, which is time sensitive and is also related to the society in which they lived.

And so we continue now today from verse 17. So let's read verse 17.

But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so, yeah, we have that in whatever situation you are, so let him walk. In other words, for one, live with a content mind, be contented in a situation that you are and stay there if that is the case.

I'll pick a partner. And so are ordained in all churches. So this is the instruction or the general rule that Paul gives to every Christian.

So we are talking in a context of the society. But for instance, let's give an example. If you are in a society where everything is falling apart, it's very critical.

Maybe you want to hold on to your job regardless, rather than just beginning another job, because the situation is very critical. But in normal times, yes, maybe you want to study more, to improve your conditions, to get another job. So we need to see these advices that Paul has given in the time-sensitive context that these were difficult times.

There was a present to stress, and Paul saw it as being the time being short.

All right, then let's continue now in verse 18. Has anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised.

So clearly it's talking about the principle that in the situation that you are, stay in that situation in this critical time, but also could literally be implying that if you are Israelite, circumcised Jew, don't try to abolish the sign of the Abrahamic covenant. And apparently there were things that they could do to physically reverse that. Let's not necessarily get into all the physical details there. But apparently at that time, there were things that some people did do.

On the other side says, also in verse 18, was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. In other words, the uncircumcised do not need to be circumcised, because then he continues in verse 19.

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Well, let's look a little bit more about that in Romans. Let's look at Romans chapter 2. Romans chapter 2, and we're going to read verse 25. Romans chapter 2 verse 25.

For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law. But if you are breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. And so your circumcision, which obviously is a sign of the commandment or the instruction to obey God, a sign of Abraham's covenant for his children.

In other words, or for those people that wanted to be part of physical Israel. So that was a sign. But if they be circumcised and they're breaking the law, that is absolutely useless. That is absolutely useless because it was a sign of obeying the law.

Look at also verse 29. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly. And circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter. And so our commitment to obey God is an issue, is a matter of the heart.

And so what is important, what is important is to obey God, is to keep his commandments indeed in the heart. So let's continue now with 1 Corinthians 7 verse 19.

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.

You see, the one that matters is a matter of the heart, an issue of the heart, that in our heart, in our intent, in our motivation, we really want to obey God and to do what's pleasing in his sight. So that's what's important. Verse 20.

Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. And so whether we circumcise or un-circumcise or in whatever conditions in your life, for instance, some people were slaves and some were not slaves.

And so in whatever condition in your life you are, and in that case, they were. And again, thinking about the context that we're having difficult times, whatever condition they were, whatever condition we are, we all can grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ in that condition. In any situation in life. So that's why he says, let each remain in the same calling in which he was called. And so they were living at a time where survival was an issue and you saying, hey, stay and hold on, hold on to your job, hold on to your situation. But spiritually speaking, what is important is to keep the commandments of God. That's what it is, is to obey God from the heart. Verse 21, where you called while a slave, do not be concerned about it.

But if you can be made free, rather use it. So if you were a slave when you called and you're still working as a slave, that's okay. Don't be concerned about it.

But if you can get out of slavery, then get out of slavery. Use that opportunity to get out of being a slave. Verse 22, for he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise, who is called while free is Christ's slave. And so we say, look at the big picture. Let's look at the big picture. We are free of guilt. We are servants of God. We are slaves of God, doulos, servants of God. And that is the fundamental issue for spiritual survival. We, the big picture, is that, yes, we are free, but we also are Christ's slaves.

So it is very important to understand that the big issue is our spiritual survival. We are free from sins. Our sins have been forgiven. Our conscience has been cleared because we believe and we have repented. Therefore, we have been baptized into the spiritual body of Christ and we have received God's early spirit by the laying of hands after the baptism, following the prayer, asking the minister, asking God to fulfill the promise of the Father to give us the repentant Christian. He is the Holy Spirit, so that he may receive the power of God to help him grow and overcome till the end. So that's what it says. We are free, free from sin. Our sins have been forgiven. We have been redeemed by Christ's sacrifice, but we are now slaves.

What? To serve God, to do what's pleasing to God. And that is a blessing. That's not a burden. That's a gift.

Verse 23. You were bought with a price. We were bought with a price. We were redeemed from death so that we can live again with a price. What is that price?

The price is clearly described in 1 Peter chapter 1 verse 18 and 19.

1 Peter chapter 1 verse 18 and 19. Knowing that you were not redeemed when it was bought back or bought from death so that you can have life, you are not redeemed with corruptible things.

Things that rust like silver or gold from our aimless conduct, which we have basically received from our forefathers, from the society, from the way we brought up.

We are not saying that our parents did not do a good job, but the whole society around us, and we all failed. And therefore, we have learned wrong things. Even for instance, our children, that may be second generation Christians, they still are overcoming things because we as parents are not necessarily perfect.

And so we are not redeemed, we are not bought back from this life, this conduct of sin that we have, but with money. But we were bought back, we bought with a price, which is in verse 19, with the precious blood of Christ.

It's Christ's sacrifice and his blood that paid for us as a lamb without blemish and without spot. And so we are bought with a price as read in 1 Corinthians 7 verse 23. And so do not become slaves of men. Don't sell yourself back to some slavery. It could be slavery of the ways of this world, which is sin, or slavery by getting yourself into debt and become a slave to situations.

And therefore, you just in big debt, or, in other words, be careful that we are not behaving as people of this world that become slaves to this world. One example that the church has used around the scripture in the past is, for instance, to avoid military service.

Because once you go into the military, you are basically a slave to that environment, really. So there is many problems with that. It really is many problems, many illnesses and dangers that come with it. And it is an item that is addressed quite extensively in one of our fundamental beliefs. Likewise, in a similar way, not being involved in the world, is not being involved with the politics of this world.

We are border for price. We are different. And so in verse 24, brethren, let each one remain with God in that state which he was called. Remain close to God. Remain with God, close to God, regardless of your condition that you are called. But don't get yourself into a bad condition. So in this context here, that he talked to the rest, he then approached a few other points as well as situations that we are not to get involved or get into sin or into situations that will put us into slavery.

So if we're called in a situation, we stay in that situation. It might not be proper to change job at that time or whatever. But if you can, yes, get out of it. Like he said, if you are a slave, but if you can get out of it, if you can be made free, then use that opportunity to do so. Then in verse 25, he now addresses another area in which they, the Corinthian brethren, had asked for advice.

And this is now concerning virgins. And so you have an unmarried person, typically an unmarried woman or your daughter, one daughter of yours. And they said, therefore, he is now giving his best advice because he's answering questions that they had about that virgin. Should we marry her or marry our children or should they marry in this time of stress, of difficult times? And again, he says there's no clear commandment in the Old Testament or during Christ's ministry regarding this subject or regarding this specific situation under the current stress.

And let's read, therefore, verse 25. I have no commandment from the Lord, yet I give judgment. In other words, I'm giving you advice as one whom the Lord in his mercy has made trustworthy. I'm giving you advice, my best advice, because you asked me for my advice in this issue. Verse 26. I suppose, therefore, that this is good because of the presence of stress. And we've mentioned this verse before, that it is good for a man to remain as he is, or a person or a woman.

So it's good for a person to remain as he is because of the current situation. Now, it doesn't mean to remain as he is, and he says, well, like he is. He's talking about himself like he is single. So he's not saying to get divorced, because verse 27, Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. You know, it was under the current situation, you're bound to a wife. I'm not saying getting divorced, get divorced. And are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. So if you are previously divorced, under the current distress, don't remarry. That's his advice.

But even if you do marry, so that's in verse 28, but if you do marry, again, this is not a command, just an advice, his advice in the current situation, you have not said because you're not breaking any law. It's just advice I'm giving. And if a virgin marries, she has not said. So if a girl virgin marries, for instance, your daughter marries, it's not said. Nevertheless, such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you. So there's going to be challenges. That's what he's saying because of the current situation that they lived. But this I say, Brevard, the time is short. And again, this shows that he was concerned, time was short, they're having this stress.

And that's why he is giving this advice. Now, was it accurate that Christ was coming in that short time period? No. But, you know, brethren, we all have made in the past made statements that implied, well, Christ is coming and in a certain year or whatever. And so we're going to be very careful with any statement that implies setting a date. So let's continue. But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on, even those who have a wife, should be as though they had known.

So he was saying, in whatever situation you are, and these situations will continue, really felt for the time being. And so act as if, you know, try and keep things in the right priority, putting God first. For instance, in verse 30 and 31, it says, those who weep as though did not weep. So whatever situation you have, there's going to be situations that there's going to be great sorrow. And there are situations where some are going to have great happiness, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as they do not buy.

So keep a balance on this. You see, we all have different situations. And in verse 31, and all those who use this world as not misusing it. In other words, let's keep a balance on these things, because all this will pass away. And we all will have to give an answer later on, at the time of the final judgment.

For the form of this world is passing away. So what he's saying is, in whatever state you are, just be grateful, be content, and just be balanced in whatever situation you are. And then he says in verse 32, but I want you to be without care. In other words, I want you to be without worries. I want you to be free of anxiety.

I don't want you to be anxious. In other words, we have to trust God. And whatever situation we are, just keep going and keep God first. He was unmarried, cares for the things of the Lord. How he may please the Lord, or at least it should be.

At least it should. You should have more time to care for the things of God. Verse 33, but he who is married cares about the things of the world, how he may please his wife. And so, one that is married has additional responsibilities. So there is a difference between a wife and a virgin. You see, there is a difference between one that is married and a woman that is not married.

The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, or at least she should. She should have more time to care the things of God. That she may be holy, both in the body and in the spirit. In the spirit of man in man, both in her body and in her thinking in what she is as a spiritual person.

But she, who is married, cares about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. So the one that is married has additional focuses, additional responsibilities. And then he says, In this I say, for your own profit, verse 35, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.

And so he says, In this I say to you, for your own benefit, not that I am putting or laying an obligation on you, or a leash, I'm not putting a leash or a snare on you, but for what is proper. He says, I am giving you proper sound advice. That's what I'm doing. So I'm not trying to put you under additional obligations or pressure, or for instance, if you have a problem with continents, I'm not asking you to be yourself in a situation that you could have. sexual, commit sexual immorality. But if you can, if you have the right self control, I'm giving you advice, which is sound advice proper.

So it's advice. It's not talking about what is sound or not sound, it's just giving him or them advice, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction. In other words, to be able to focus in serving God, of course, in a balanced way, but putting God even more first, because, as he said, if you're married, you have other obligations and duties as well. Now, verse 36 is one which is a little bit hard to read, but let's read it, and then look at it in more detail.

But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly towards his version, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin. Let him marry. Now, there are two options. Yeah, I am more towards the second option, which I'm going to mention shortly. The first option is, if a man has needs or passions to get married to his fiancé, let him marry.

Some modern translations give that context, saying that if a person feels that he is not acting in the right way towards his version, which is fiancé, to which he is engaged, and if his passions are strong, and therefore he believes that he ought to marry, then he should do as he wants. He's not sinning.

They shouldn't get married. So that's one option, and that is a possibility of this verse 36. Another possibility, which is the one I'm more inclined to, is could be talking about a father, a dad, allowing his daughter to get married. So if any man thinks that he's behaving improperly towards his version, towards his daughter, if she is past the flower of a youth, so as she is getting a little older, and thus it must be that it's proper for her to get married and let him do what he wishes.

Let the man, therefore, give her in hand to another, not hold it back. And this is also probably in the context of a society in which marriage is more arranged. Today, marriage is more love-based. Let's just use that word, love, that a man or woman says, I love you. And in the older days, it seemed to be more in the context that those marriages were arranged by the parents. And so there are two options, yeah, where within you could read this verse 36. I seem to be more inclined to the second option.

Verse 37, nevertheless, he will stand steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but as power over his own will, and as so determined in his heart, that he will keep his version as well.

So again, with those options, the first option is if the person is able to override those sexual pools, etc., then, you know, don't marry.

You know, keep his fiancee a virgin, not marry, and respect her in this context of the current pressures that we're going through. But the other option is the context of a society of fixed marriages, being that the father wants to keep a virgin and not give her a hand, and to put on hold. My advice is, that's what Paul's saying, put on hold, let her stay single. That's what he says as determined in his heart, that he'll keep his version, and let her stay single. He does well.

Verse 38, so then he who gives her in marriage does well. So that goes in with that what I called option two. He gives his daughter in marriage, does well, but he who does not give her in marriage, does better.

So that is his opinion, his wisdom, under the current stressful situations that they lived in. And then he gets down to the crux of the whole issue. He gets down to basically the law, because he says. So verse 39, a wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives. But if a husband dies, she's at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. So here is the basic principle.

The basic principle that we have here is marriage is till death do us part. That's what it is. Now we went through some exceptions, and they should be rare exceptions. Very rare.

But the principle is marriage is till death do us part. That's what it says. A wife is bound by law. Which law? Thou shall not commit adultery. In other words, you are married, and to stay married till death do us part.

A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives. Right. When he dies, if her husband dies, she's at liberty to be married to whom she wishes. So once you are a widow or widower, you are at liberty to be married to whom he or she wishes. But he has the point. Only in the Lord.

He's at liberty or she's at liberty to be remarried, but only in the Lord. And so this principle to marry to somebody else in the Lord is applicable to every person in the church. We should only marry to somebody in the Lord.

Verse 40. But she is happier. It was this widow. This widow is happier if she remains as she is. This widow would, in the survival times, in this time of great stress, this is his advice.

According to my judgment, according to his advice of Paul, and he says, and I think I also have God's spirit. So I believe this advice that I'm giving you under this stressful time is what God wants from us. And this concludes the section that I would like to cover today. Next week, God willing, then we'll start with Chapter 8 addressing another question they had regarding things offered to idols.