I. Considerations Regarding Paul’s “Opinions”
A. Paul Was Answering Questions See 7:1; 7:25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1
B. Opinion Or Authoritative Command?
1. The instructions that Paul gave contained many foundational truths of the Christian faith.
a. At times, Paul quoted Jesus, or the Old Testament.
b. At other times he made it clear that he was speaking his own opinion.
2. Paul was an apostle and was inspired of God to speak.
3. He and others were used by God to establish the foundations of the Christian church.
a. Sometimes, Paul spoke doctrines and commands by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
b. These doctrines and commandments were for all Believers and for all time.
4. At other times, Paul gave a Holy Spirit inspired opinion concerning specific situations.
5. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul speaks both unchanging truths and inspired wisdom that was for the situations that were at the church in Corinth.
6. How can we discern between commandments and opinions/counsel?
a. Commandments will be repeated in many portions of the Bible.
b. Spirit led counsel will be found only in certain situations.
c. Both are led and inspired of God.
7. Commandments are general. Spirit led counsel is specific and unique.
8. NOTE- Spirit led counsel will NEVER contradict a commandment of God.
II. Live For Jesus Now, As You Are V. 17
A. Live As You Are
1. An overarching principle: live as you are called. Avoid knee-jerk Christianity.
2. Newer Christians might over-react and think that they must change their station in life.
3. Older Christians might imagine they could serve God better if their life were different.
4. The principle: You can live for God now regardless of your state of life.
5. He encouraged the Corinthians to remain as they were when they came to Christ.
6. But as God has distributed to every man…each person has certain abilities to live a single life or a married life.
7. Some thought that the newfound relationship with Christ should dissolve all former ties and relationships. Paul exhorted them to not think they needed to change those things.
B. Don’t Try To Undo Past Mistakes
1. No matter what your station (married, single, divorced, widowed, remarried, whatever), God can work in your life.
2. This also is a warning about trying to undo the past in regard to relationships.
3. God tells us to repent of whatever sin is there and then to move on
4. Don’t think that you could serve God better if you were married, or if you were single.
5. Follow Jesus, and honor Him through your life as it is now.
III. Regarding Circumcision Vs. 18-20
1. Some Jews who came to Christ sought to do away with anything that would show their Jewish background. This might have been to avoid persecution, or to better blend into the culture for purposes of evangelism.
2. Some Gentiles felt the need to become circumcised and show some outward form of religion.
3. V. 19 Circumcision was/is of no consequence now for those who follow Christ. It was established for the nation of Israel, as a sign that they were separated to God.
4. V. 20 Paul told them to not make sudden decisions, but to remain as they were.
IV. Regarding Being A Slave Vs. 21-24
1. God is sovereign. God Himself has assigned us our roles in life. We are to live in that role.
2. A slave’s self-identity and value to God did not hinge on being free.
3. To the contrary, possessing freedom does not make the free man any less Christ’s slave.
V. Regarding Singleness & Marriage Vs. 25-40
A. Marriage Is Not A Sin, Even In A Crisis Vs. 25-28
1. V. 25 Virgins-This speaks of those who were sexually pure or unmarried. Male/female.
a. Jesus had not spoken about it, but Paul gave his Holy Spirit inspired this advice.
2. Vs. 26, 27 Because of the present distress, it was wise to stay as they were.
3. V. 28 If they chose to marry, it would not be a sin, but the timing of things would make marriage more difficult because of having to care for another person.
B. Living With The Knowledge Of The Shortness Of Life Vs. 29-31
1. Be careful against putting your roots down too deep in a world that is passing away.
2. Morris “There is nothing solid and lasting in this world system; it is its nature to pass away. It is folly for believers to act as though its values were permanent.”
3. Paul is not suggesting shirking marital responsibility, but rather, keeping the eternal perspective. We are always to live
anticipating the return of Jesus and the brevity of life.
C. The Advantage Of Singleness Vs. 32-35
1. The unmarried can serve God with less responsibilities or limitations.
2. Paul isn’t putting a leash on anyone; he is merely sharing from his own experience.
3. Paul felt that he could serve God better as a single man.
4. Another person may please God better as married person, all according to our calling.
5. Single Christians might find their singleness a hindrance when it might be an advantage.
D. Arranging A Daughter’s Marriage Vs. 36-38
3
1. In Paul’s culture, a young woman’s parents had the primary responsibility for arranging her marriage; should a Christian father recommend celibacy to his daughter?
2. Paul says this is alright, but only after a complete consideration of all factors involved.
3. RSV- 1 Cor. 7:36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly towards his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry — it is no sin.
4. Paul takes great care that no one regard marriage, or the sexual relationship in marriage as sin, or even less than God’s best.
5. But singleness does have its benefits (as well as some liabilities), and Paul would have the Corinthians (and us) consider
them all.
E. Thoughts On Remarriage Vs. 39, 40
1. Paul isn’t negating his earlier teaching remarriage; he is combating the Corinthian ascetic streak which would advise any widow to remain celibate the rest of her days.
2. Paul allows full opportunity for a widow to remarry as long as it is to another believer.
3. However, Paul wants even the widow to consider if God might be calling her to celibacy.
4. Again, Paul will affirm celibacy, but not because sex is bad.
5. Instead, it is because celibacy offers a person (if they are so gifted) more opportunities to serve God.