These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. on anyone; he merely shares from his own heart and experience. a. Paul here changes from "thou" ( 1 Corinthians 7:21 ) to "ye." If we hope in God as our Father, we must seek to be holy as he is holy, and perfect as our Father in heaven. When a Jew in those days did not know if and how God’s law applied to their situation, they would ask a scribe, and the scribe would declare them, nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you, . b. but I spare you--The emphasis in the Greek is on "I." 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. a. It is all according to an individual’s gifting. Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy, : Paul now will deal with the unmarried, whom he refers to as. The ancient Greek word for short is “sustello,” meaning “contracted and rolled up, as sails used to be by the mariners, when the ship draws nigh to the harbour.” (Trapp) “The time (saith he) is short; furled up, like sails when the mariner comes near his port.” (Poole) The harbor is near, and the sails are shortened! He could just as easily say, and is saying by analogy. , either being gifted to singleness or marriage. But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment; and I think I also have the Spirit of God. let every man have--a positive command to all who have not the gift of continency, in fact to the great majority of the world ( 1 Corinthians 7:5 ). “Certainly,” thought the Corinthians, “God can’t be glorified if I’m married to an unbeliever; for the sake of spirituality, I should divorce them.” To these, Paul says, For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, : Why should a Christian try to keep their marriage to a non-Christian together? . 5 D… ii. : 1 Corinthians 7 begins a section where Paul deals with specific questions asked him in a letter by the Corinthian Christians. No explicit mention of it occurs till IRENÆUS in the third century; but no society of Christians that we read of disputed its propriety till fifteen hundred years after Christ. If you were not circumcised when you became a Christian, fine also. b. . The important thing is what gift one has from God, either being gifted to singleness or marriage. i. But if Paul was not aware of how inspired his words were, they are no less inspired because of that. There is something wrong if a married man does not care for how he may please his wife, and something is wrong if a married woman does not care about how she may please her husband. Thoughts on the Application of 1 Corinthians 7:3–5. 2. The dignity of marriage is set forth by Paul ( Ephesians 5:25-32 ), in the fact that it signifies the mystical union between Christ and the Church. So ALFORD after CALVIN, BENGEL, and others. This means they are, in fact, free to remarry because God has recognized their divorce as a valid divorce. It is folly for believers to act as though its values were permanent.” (Morris). He has already dealt with the questions about the relative merits of being married or single, and if it is more spiritual to abstain from sex in a marriage relationship. It is good for a man not to touch a woman, ” is used in the sense of having sexual relations. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? ©2018 David Guzik – No distribution beyond personal use without permission. He attributes his apostleship and the gifts accompanying it (including inspiration) to God's grace alone. 13. the woman--a believer. This is a beautiful assurance that the children of a Christian parent are saved, at least until they come to an age of personal accountability (which may differ for each child). For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Think does not imply doubt, but often a matter of well-grounded assurance ( John 5:39 ). iii. A man may cease to "abide in the calling wherein he was called," and yet not violate the precept here. 3, 4. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. : The Corinthian Christians wondered if it might be, Even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband, : Paul, in addressing a marriage where both partners are Christians, says that they should not – indeed, can not – break up the marriage in a misguided search for higher spirituality. a. . However, we have no similar assurance for the children of parents who are not Christians. He does not sin; let them marry: Paul says it is not wrong for a father to allow his young daughter to marry, even allowing for the desirability of singleness at the present time. He does not sin; let them marry. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. b. ii. Even those who have wives should be as though they had none: Paul is not encouraging the neglect of proper family duties, but encouraging living as if the time is short. ii. Tragically, much of the early church did not heed God’s word to keep marriages together, as much as possible, when married to unbelievers. Paul recognizes (without at all encouraging) that one might depart in such circumstance, but they cannot consider themselves divorced, with the right to remarry, because their marriage had not split up for reasons that justify a Biblical divorce. in such circumstance, but they cannot consider themselves divorced, with the right to remarry, because their marriage had not split up for reasons that justify a Biblical divorce. She hath not power over her body, and yet it is her own. Do not seek to be loosed. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. You say, ‘It is a good thing when a man does not marry.’ 2 That may be true, but then people may have sex in wrong ways. Better still it would be not to enter into such unequal alliances at all ( 1 Corinthians 7:40 , 2 Corinthians 6:14 ). He who is married cares about the things of the world; how he may please his wife: Paul does not say this to condemn the married person; in fact, Paul is saying this is how it should be for the married person. my judgment--I have no express revelation from the Lord commanding it, but I give my judgment (opinion); namely, under the ordinary inspiration which accompanied the apostles in all their canonical writings (compare 1 Corinthians 7:40 , 1 Corinthians 14:37 , 1 Thessalonians 4:15 ). (25-28) Paul’s advice: marriage isn’t bad in the sight of God, and singleness has its advantages. Don’t abandon your wife and children now! i. i. It was regarded as a sin for a Jewish man to be unmarried. ii. "Men stealers," or slave dealers, are classed in 1 Timothy 1:10 , with "murderers" and "perjurers." We can seek God’s best and be used by Him right where we are. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. We are to use it, "not to take our fill" of its pursuits as our chief aim (compare Luke 10:40-42 ). i. They should know that with faith and patience, they can look for God to work in their present circumstances, difficult as they might be. Again, Paul will affirm celibacy, but not because sex itself is evil (as some of the Corinthian Christians thought). 32. without carefulness--I would have you to be not merely "without trouble," but "without distracting cares" (so the Greek). Changes will take effect once you reload the page. Satan--who often thrusts in his temptations to unholy thoughts amidst the holiest exercises. This was the main reason Paul considered the unmarried state preferable for himself. Significantly, for Paul, the most important thing in life was not romantic love, but pleasing God. Now to the married: Remember that in this chapter Paul answers questions written to him from the Corinthian Christians. What is the advantage in remaining married? And whosoever gives not himself to generation and multiplying is all one with a murderer: he is as though he diminished from the image of God.”. . Click to enable/disable Google Analytics tracking. Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 1:11) regarding some of the problems unfolding in Corinth. 22. the Lord's freeman--( Philemon 1:16 )--rather, "freedman." ? This is why Paul tells husbands to render to his wife the affection due her. Paul appeals to the Corinthians as recognizing the principle, that the infants of heathen parents would not be admissible to Christian baptism, because there is no faith on the part of the parents; but where one parent is a believer, the children are regarded as not aliens from, but admissible even in infancy as sharers in, the Christian covenant: for the Church presumes that the believing parent will rear the child in the Christian faith. good--that is, "expedient," because of "the present distress"; that is, the unsettled state of the world, and the likelihood of persecutions tearing rudely asunder those bound by marriage ties. Yet, he will give inspired advice and principles. NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 7:1-7 1 Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman. Therefore, if a person says “God just doesn’t want me to be married to this person anymore” or “God brought someone better to me,” they are wrong and not speaking from God at all. ). i. Each state is a gift from God. It doesn’t matter nearly as much whether you are married, single, divorced, or remarried; what matters more is an on-fire. a. God makes it clear that. Was anyone called while circumcised? We need 2 cookies to store this setting. . 28. trouble in the flesh--Those who marry, he says, shall incur "trouble in the flesh" (that is, in their outward state, by reason of the present distress), not sin, which is the trouble of the spirit. Essentially, Paul wants the widow not to remarry without carefully considering that God might be calling her to celibacy. But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. e. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy: Not only does the presence of a believing spouse do good for the unbelieving spouse, it also does good for the children – and great good, because it can be said now they are holy. Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. ii. c. For the form of this world is passing away: A time is short attitude will also not indulge the feelings and things of this world. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 7 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. Some of these queries had to do with the relationship of a believer who is married to an unbeliever. 1 Corinthians 8 Chapter 7 In this chapter the apostle answers some cases proposed to him by the Corinthians about marriage. Paul means that husbands and wives should continue in sexual relations. Also, by Paul’s own words, it is likely that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin. God makes it clear that there is nothing wrong, and everything right, about sex in marriage. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you. This also is a warning about trying to undo the past in regard to relationships. iv. As the planets while turning on their own axis, yet revolve round the sun; so while we do our part in our own worldly sphere, God is to be the center of all our desires. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. Answer to a question about sexual relations in marriage. Remember that Paul told Timothy that, It is better to marry than to burn with passion, : Paul recognizes marriage as a legitimate refuge from pressures of sexual immorality. I prefer this latter view, as more according to the tenor of the Gospel, and fully justified by the Greek. f. And a husband is not to divorce his wife: Paul applies the same principle to husbands as to wives, and makes the important distinction between one who might depart (separation while still honoring the marriage covenant) and one who might divorce. d. Even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: Paul, in addressing a marriage where both partners are Christians, says that they should not – indeed, can not – break up the marriage in a misguided search for higher spirituality. Why? It is the fact of the husband being a "brother," that is, a Christian, though the wife is not so, that sanctifies or hallows the union. The Sermon On The Mount (Part Ten) Series Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Nov 4, 2019 | 1,249 views. If God does not recognize the divorce, then the individual is not free to remarry – they can only be reconciled to their former spouse. He isn’t putting a leash on anyone; he merely shares from his own heart and experience. c. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband: In light of the danger of sexual immorality (ever present in the Corinthian culture and our own), it is appropriate for husband and wife to have each other in a sexual sense. iv. i. The behaving improperly has nothing to do with any kind of improper moral behavior, but with denying his daughter or son the right to marry, based on the way Paul values singleness. i. ESTIUS from AUGUSTINE explains it, "I spare you further details of the inconveniences of matrimony, lest even the incontinent may at the peril of lust be deterred from matrimony: thus I have regard for your infirmity." But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment: At the same time, Paul believes such a widow is happier if she remains as she is – that is, if she remains single. 31. not abusing it--not abusing it by an overmuch using of it. 37. steadfast--not to be turned from his purpose by the obloquy of the world. 1 Corinthians 7:15 “But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. . i. : Paul says it is not wrong for a father to allow his young daughter to marry, even allowing for the desirability of singleness at the present time. And likewise also the wife to her husband: On the same idea, also the wife to her husband: The wife is not to withhold marital affection from her husband. When a Jew in those days did not know if and how God’s law applied to their situation, they would ask a scribe, and the scribe would declare them bound or loosed in regard to particular commands. And for Paul, in light of the present circumstances, he regarded singleness as best. 1 Corinthians 7:5. Click to enable/disable _gid - Google Analytics Cookie. Or, But if there be no hope of gaining over the unbeliever, still let the general principle be maintained, "As the Lord hath allotted to each, as God hath called each, so let him walk" (so the Greek in the oldest reading); let him walk in the path allotted to him and wherein he was called. Each one has his own gift from God: Though Paul knew singleness was good for him, he would not impose it on anyone. But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. Deprivation in either sense gives occasion for the deprived to look elsewhere for fulfillment – and to destroy the marriage. This verse means that if a Christian is married to a non-Christian who divorces the Christian, the Christian is not guilty of sin. you" and "such" favors the former. For the form of this world is passing away. The Greek, "But if even thou mayest be made free, use it," and the context ( 1 Corinthians 7:20 1 Corinthians 7:22 ) favors this view [CHRYSOSTOM, BENGEL, and ALFORD]. So conversely the unbelieving husband may be won by the believing wife ( 1 Peter 3:1 ) [CALVIN]. Compare Psalms 39:6 , "vain show"; Psalms 73:20 , "a dream"; James 4:14 , "a vapor." The term virgin includes the young of both sexes. i. Weeping, rejoicing, and having possessions must not get in the way of following hard after Jesus. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. God can use us right where we are, and we should not be so quick to change our station in life. What is advised here is, contentment under one's existing condition ( 1 Corinthians 7:24 ), though an undesirable one, since in our union with Christ all outward disparities of condition are compensated ( 1 Corinthians 7:22 ). she be pleased--Greek, "consents": implying his wish in the first instance, with which hers concurs. has nothing to do with any kind of improper moral behavior, but with denying his daughter or son the right to marry, based on the way Paul values singleness. attitude will also not indulge the feelings and things of this world. We are to be ready, and to regard the time as short, not only because Jesus can return at any time, but also because it cultivates a more obedient, on-fire walk with Jesus Christ. Inthat letter, I told you to have nothing to do with men with bad character’ (1Corinthians 5:9). (21-24) An example of this principle from the practice of slavery. not . And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. Do not seek to be loosed. This was an important topic; the Christian concept of marriage was one that needed to be established in the early church. And so I ordain in all the churches. 7:1). Because God, , in this context, does not mean that the unbelieving spouse is saved just by being married to a Christian. REPLY TO THEIR INQUIRIES AS TO MARRIAGE; THE GENERAL PRINCIPLE IN OTHER THINGS IS, ABIDE IN YOUR STATION, FOR THE TIME IS SHORT. … Articles Sermons Topics Books Podcasts Filter Resources By ... Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:1–7. Interactive Bible study with John Piper. As the Lord has called each one, so let him walk: No matter what your station – married, single, divorced, widowed, remarried, whatever – God can work in your life. Remember that Paul told Timothy that forbidding to marry was a doctrine of demons (1 Timothy 4:1-3). Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Joy may become a distraction, or commerce, or the world. In Acts 26:10, Paul says I cast my vote against them, speaking of the early Christians, and the logical place he would cast a vote is as a member of that great congress of the Jewish people. ii. They may live as, : Paul applies the same principle to husbands as to wives, and makes the important distinction between one who might, (separation while still honoring the marriage covenant) and one who might, . In Galatians 5:6 this "keeping of the commandments of God" is defined to be "faith which worketh by love"; and in Galatians 6:15 , "a new creature." wept not--(Compare 2 Corinthians 6:10 ). The same principle is true of the husband’s body in regard to his wife. even as I--unmarried ( 1 Corinthians 9:5 ). How could one become uncircumcised? So Deuteronomy 13:6 Matthew 10:35-37 Luke 14:26 . I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—that it is good for a man to remain as he is: Are you bound to a wife? A Christian husband and wife must not accept a poor sexual relationship. Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her … 34. difference also--Not merely the unmarried and the married man differ in their respective duties, but also the wife and the virgin. God never recognizes a divorce for such reasons. The ‘previous’ letter. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. Paul also emphasizes what the woman needs: not merely sexual relations, but, . But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. be reconciled--by appeasing her husband's displeasure, and recovering his good will. The problems may not be easily overcome or quickly solved, but God wants every Christian marriage to enjoy a sexual relationship that is a genuine blessing, instead of a burden or a curse. i. The precept ( 1 Corinthians 7:23 ), "Become not (so the Greek) the servants of men," implies plainly that slavery is abnormal (compare Leviticus 25:42 ). Weeping, rejoicing, and having possessions must not get in the way of following hard after Jesus. Get the ship ready for harbor! Brethren, let each one remain with God in that calling in which he was called. 1 Corinthians 7, Coffman Commentaries on the Bible, One of over 110 Bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the Church of Christ, presents a … Indeed a woman undergoes a greater change of condition than a man in contracting marriage. . Perhaps she left him when he became a Christian, or perhaps she died some time before or after he became a Christian. Even without considering the return of Jesus, it is worthwhile and accurate for Christians to live as if the time is short. iii. If a man's calling be not favorable to his "abiding with God" (retaining holy fellowship with Him), he may use lawful means to change from it (compare Note. If her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married: Of course, a widow has the right to remarry. And today we’re going to start a three-part series on what Paul’s trying to say in 1 Corinthians 7! A mother who is driving her children to school turns her attention for just a moment to arbitrate a squabble between her children or to fasten a child’s seat belt, and fails to heed a stop sign. He who is married cares about the things of the world; how he may please his wife, : Paul does not say this to condemn the married person; in fact, Paul is saying this is how it, , and something is wrong if a married woman does not care about, Not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, Again, Paul’s reason for explaining these things is not to. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. I think also--"I also think"; just as you Corinthians and your teachers think much of your opinions, so I also give my opinion by inspiration; so in 1 Corinthians 7:25 , "my judgment" or opinion. b. I, not the Lord, say: We should not think Paul is any less inspired by the Holy Spirit on this point. use it rather--Continue rather in thy state as a servant ( 1 Corinthians 7:20 , Galatians 3:28 , 1 Timothy 6:2 ). Click on the different category headings to find out more. so ordain I in all churches--Ye also therefore should obey. : It might be easy to think that self-control is expressed by. Do not seek a wife: Paul echoes the same principle laid down in 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. Divorce, at that time, was very common among both Jews and Gentiles, on very slight pretexts. Daily devotional with John Piper. It is an awesome obligation: out of the billions of people on the earth, God has chosen, : Paul rejects their idea that husband and wife could be more holy by sexual abstinence. Love makes Christ's service perfect freedom ( Matthew 11:29 Matthew 11:30 , Galatians 5:13 , 1 Peter 2:16 ). Shows them that marriage was appointed as a remedy against fornication, and therefore that persons had better marry than burn (v. 1-9). 7. even as I--having tile gift of continence ( Matthew 19:11 Matthew 19:12 ). iii. Previous | Index | Next >> "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS" Chapter Seven OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER 1) To be impressed with basic principles governing marriage and the single life 2) To see the importance of studying scripture in its proper context SUMMARY At this point in Paul's letter, he begins to address those things about which the Corinthians had written to him (7:1). 1. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. When he says. © Copyright - Enduring Word       |      . Not that by hard injunctions I may entangle you with the fear of committing sin where there is no sin. A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. John Piper Apr 29, 2009 50 Shares Sermon. : Of course, this doesn’t mean that we are to continue in a sinful course or occupation once we are saved. Warns against putting roots down too deep in a world that is, not much. 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Where you are right now its values were permanent. ” ( Morris ) not!