17 Paul desires to show that Christianity is not designed to break up relations of social and domestic intercourse. He encourages the Corinthians to remain as they were when they came to Christ.
But as God has distributed to every man…each person has certain abilities to live a single life, or married, etc., so that person should live.
Some thought that the new found relationship with Christ should dissolve all former ties and relationships. Paul exhorts continuation in that same lifestyle, at least for at the time of conversion.
18 Is any man called…. Does anyone become a Christian….
Some Jews who came to Christ sought to do away with anything that would show their Jewish background.
Some Gentiles felt the need to become circumcised, and show some outward form of religion.
19 Circumcision 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, but now it meant nothing in the time of the New Covenant made through the death and resurrection of Christ.
Romans 2:28,29 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.
20 Let every person continue in the same profession, occupation, and rank of life as he was when he became a Christian. This is only a general rule.
Paul desires to show that Christianity is not, in and of itself, a reason to radically change a profession or standing in life.
There were exceptions, of course.
a. If a slave can legally and properly obtain his freedom.
b. When a man is pursuing a wicked and illegal profession.
c. When a change can increase his usefulness God’s purposes.
21 Athens at it’s peak had some 20k freemen, and 400k slaves.
A born-again slave might say: Isn’t slavery against the dignity of humanity, oppresive, and inhumane? Shouldn’t I do everything I can to break free from it?
Paul says to not be distressed and anxious about it. Don’t use Christianity for the instigation of uprising, and rebellion. Be content where God has placed you in life.
The slave was to evince and demonstrate the lovely life that is in Christ. it didn’t mean that the slavery wasn’t wrong, it was. But the Christian slave was to bring the fragrance of christ into his service to his master.
If he could obtain his freedom in a proper manner, without violence or dishonesty, then by all means do so.
22 The power of Christ and pre-eminence of Christ is in view. Though man may, through unfair laws, own another man, there is a greater law from which the slave has been set free: the law of sin and death.
The bondage of sin is a far more painful thing than the bondage of the body. Paul sought to bring a balanced view of things to the Christian slave.
Deliverance from the bondage of sin is to be esteemed more highly than the freedom from physical bondage.
Though a man be free in society, if he be in Christ, he belongs to Him.
1 Peter 1;18,19….you were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver or gold,….but with the precious blood of Christ.
1 Cor. 6:20 For you were bought at a price….
Paul seeks to show that we are, as Christians, never independent of obedience to God. We are to never live solely for ourselves.
The Christian slave and the Christian freemen are both on the same level in regard to their obeying the laws of God and living for Jesus Christ.
23 Do not regard yourselves simply as servants of men. We serve the Lord by serving those He has put over us in this life. This is the proper perspective we should have as Christians.
24 Generally speaking, continue on in that place you were in when you first accepted Christ.
25 This begins the third section which the church at Corinth had asked Paul about.
It is thought that there were two lines of reasoning concerning the unmarried:
1. It was more pious to remain single.
2. Because of the present difficult circumstances at Corinth, marriage may be an un-needed burden to many. The responsibilities of marriage and raising a family.
Paul said that he had no explicit command from God, but that as a faithful Christian man, one who cared greatly for the church more than himself, he felt qualified to give an opinion.
26 Present distress- persecution, calamity, trial.
Special advice for a special and passing time. The present problems would make singleness an easier lifestyle, but this was not to be the norm necessarily for the church.
Possibly, the persecutions of Christians by Nero.
27 Stay as you are for the present moment.
28 There is no command which expressly forbids marriage. Paul simply gives advice, as a mature, Christian man. Not a sin to marry, but perhaps at the time, not a wise thing to do.
The marriage relationship at that time would probably cause them trouble in their physical lives, because of the distress of the moment.
29 Time is always short. Whether anticipating the end of all things, or simply reflecting on the brevity of life.
James 4:14 …whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life. It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
The thought here is not that of mistreating a wife, but rather living entirely for God. Not becoming so bound up in marriage that devotion and service to God is set aside for the sake of another human being.
Many Christians live only for their children or their spouse, and elevate their love and attention more highly on these than on the Lord.
30,31 Paul exhorts the Christians to practice a moderate lifestyle based upon the fact of the brevity of life.
Are you consumed with grief? Grief is not improper, but don’t be consumed. Your redemption draws nearer all the time.
Are you overjoyed with life’s blessings? Don’t be overjoyed with things which may suddenly pass away.
It is permissible to use the world, i.e., work, business, money, for that is what it is there for. We are not to abuse the world, misuse it in an evil way, or make it the passion of our life.
All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time lays many parts.
32,33 Paul advised a single life if possible. This would permit for undistracted service to God.
The married man of necessity needs to be concerned for his wife.
36 Towards his daughter or the woman put in his care. The father could many times prohibit the marriage of the daughter.
This could bring shame and disgrace when it was obvious that it was entirely proper and godly that she be married.
37 If the woman and the father feel no great need for marriage, this is good. The marriage isn’t sought after due to social and cultural reasons.