Burmah Road Gospel Hall Thanksgiving Service on 23 rd November 2013 at 10.00a.m.

Sungai Nibong Gospel Hall THE PROBLEMS OF THE LOCAL CHURCH IN CORINTH (21 July) Pt. 1 – Chs. 1-5 (28 July) Pt. 2 – Chs. 5, 6 10 Nov., 2013

1. The Problem of Disunity – Paul’s Appeal for Unity in the Church. I Cor. 1: The Problem of Immaturity – Paul could not Advance with them. They were Childish and Carnal: they still needed Milk and not Meat. I Cor. 3:1-3, 4 3.The Problem of Immorality – Paul was Appalled by their Tolerance of Incest in their midst.I Cor. Ch. 5 4.The Problem of Litigation (Legality) They Accused one Another in Court. I Cor. Ch. 6 Recapitulation The Problems of the Church in Corinth (Chs. 1-6) as reported by Chloe (1:11)

5. Paul’s Answers (7:1) Re: Relationships. I Cor. Chs (A). Re: Relationships between Male and Female. Ch. 7 (1)Concerning Man and Woman– 7:1-16 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: (a) It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 7:1 (i) …not to touch a woman? (KJV, NRSV, JND) – haptomai, to attach oneself to, i.e. to touch (Strong)– Consider the Social/ Sympathetic/Sensual Touch. (ii) …not to marry? (NIV) A Quote or Question? Paul Advocating Asceticism? Or Singleness?

(a) It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 7:1 (b) The Advice to Avoid Fornication(s):7:2-4 (i) let every man/woman have his/her own…wife/husband(no polygamy) (ii) Let the husband /wife render conjugal rights. Reciprocal Responsibility to Render Rights. (7:4) (c) The Advice re. Abstinence (7:5) Defraud (= Deprive) not: (i) Mutual: except it be with consent for a time (ii) Motive: give yourselves to fasting and prayer (iii) Make-up: Come together again, that Satan tempt you not …because of your lack of self-Control. (NIV)

(d) The Concession according to Circumstances – I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. 7:6-16 (a-c.) Defraud not mutual conjugal rights. 7:1-5 (i.) But all men/women are Different. 7:7-11  To the unmarried and widows, be as Paul – “Called”(?) to be a Celibate (cf. I Tim. 4:3) or Choose to be Single? I would that all men were even as I myself – 7:7f  To those who Cannot Contain, marry! Better to marry than to Burn. 7:9

 Paul’s Command Confirmed by the Lord: To the Married, Depart [Separate] not. 7:10, 11 If one departs, Remain unmarried or be Reconciled.  The Force of the Command – 7:10a I command, yet not I, but the Lord.  The Forbidding in the Command – No Divorce: 7:10b, 11b, JND Let not the wife depart from her husband. Let not husband leave wife. Except for Fornication?Cf. Mt. 19:9 No Remarriage to allow Reconciliation. 7:11 Remarriage is Adultery – Mt. 19:9; Mk. 10:11,12; Lk. 16:18; Rom. 7:3 Remarriage only when one partner dies Rom. 7:1, 2 and only in the Lord. I Cor. 7:39

(a-c.) Defraud not mutual conjugal rights. 7:1-5 (i.) But all men/women are Different. 7:7-11 (ii.) To the Rest…(Paul’s speaking, cf. v. 40) 7:12-16 The Believing Spouse after Marriage: An “unequal yoke” (?) – No! Dwell together. let him/her not put her/him away.7:12-14 Each is Sanctified = Set apart? Approved? If one chooses to Leave, Live in Peace, if Possible; Depart, if necessary; Divorce not! 7:15 Be Prepared for Possible Salvation Later, Leading to Restoration and Reconciliation. 7:16

(A) Re: Relationships between Male and Female. (1.) Concerning Man and Woman – 7:1-16 (2.) Concerning God’s Calling and Current Circumstances. 7:17-24 (a)The Rule for all Churches: 7:17c-19 As God hath distributed to every man, As the Lord hath every one, so let him walk.7:17 Re: his Race – it is nothing7:19 cp. 12:13 (i) Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. 7:18a (ii) Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.7:18:b The keeping of God’s Commandments Counts. 7:19

(a) The Rule for all Churches:7:17-19 As God hath distributed to every man, As the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. (b)The Rule for every man.7:20-24 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called…7:20 Let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.7:24 (i) A Slave to Man before? cp. Eph. 6:5, 6, NIV Now, be a Slave of Christ. 7:22-23 (ii) Be free if you Can; if not, be free in your Calling - You have been Purchased with a Price, Exo. 21:2-6 Use your freedom to Choose to be Christ’s Slave! Re: his Rank

(A) Re: Relationships between Male and Female. Ch. 7 (1.) Concerning Man and Woman.7:1-16 Concerning Husband and Wife. (2.) Concerning God’s Calling and Current Circumstances. 7:17-24 (3.)Concerning the Unmarried and Married.7:25-38 Paul’s Personal Counsel to the Virgin – Now concerning virgins 7:25-38 (a) No Command from the Lord.7:25a (b) Paul’s Concern and Care for them. 7:25b, 28b (c) Remain status quo under Current Crisis. 7:26, 27 Present Distress - Pressure or Persecution?

(c) Remain status quo under Current Crisis. 7:26, 27 (d) A change may bring about Potential Problems – troubles in this life 7:28-38 (i.) Time is Short; the world Swings by. Be Single-minded in Service to the Lord. 7:29-31, NIV  Re: Marriage. Those who have wives should live as if they had none; (29) Love your Spouse, but be Single-minded.  Re: Mourning. Those who mourn, as if they did not; (30a) Not Self-pity, but Self-denial!

 Re: Merriment. Those who are happy, as if they were not; (30b) Not Jolly, but Joyful!  Re: Merchandise. Those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; (30c) Not Preoccupied with Properties; just Purchase necessities!  Re: Maintenance. Those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. (31a) Not Absorbed in or Abuse the things of the World but Use them.

(3.)Concerning the Unmarried and Married. 7:25-38 Paul’s Personal Counsel to the Virgin (d) Potential Problems.7: ( i.) Time is Short; the world Swings by. Be Single-minded. 7:29-31 (ii) Be free of Concerns and Cares:7:32-35  The married has to Care for the spouse. 7:33, 34b  The virgin Attends to the Affairs of the Lord. She Devotes herself without Distraction to the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit.7:34a, 35

(d) A change may bring about Potential Problems. 7:28-38 (iii.) To marry or not depends on your Circumstances and Calling. 7:36, 37 Hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his…  The Circumstances: Virgin (daughter) (RV)? Fiancée (NRSV)? Virginity (JND)?  Let him do what he will, he sinneth not.7:37b  So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better. 7:38 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 7:20

(3.) Concerning the Unmarried and Married.7:25-38 Paul’s Personal Counsel to the Virgin 7:25-38 (4.) Concerning the Widow and Widower – free to marry another believer. 7:39, 40 (a) Duration of Marriage is bound by Law and for Life. (b) Dissolution of Marriage (i) ONLY at spouse’s Death. Rom. 7:1-3 (ii) Divorce - only for fornication? Cf. Mt. 19:9a (c) Remarriage ONLY after a Deceased partner and ONLY in the Lord. 7:39 cf. Mt. 19:9b She is happier if she so abide, after my judgment 7:40 Note: Paul speaks, but… I think also that I have the Spirit of God. 7:40

Paul’s answers to the Church’s Questions (7:1) – A Summary. [ What The Bible Teaches – I Cor. By J. Hunter] (1)Should conjugal relations continue after conversion? Yes (1-7) (2) Should the unmarried marry? (8, 9) No, abide even as I (Paul). Yes – better to marry than to burn. (3) Is divorce permissible to Christians? - No (10-11)

(4) Should the marriage bond continue when one partner gets converted? Yes (12-16) (5) If conversion means a moral and spiritual change, does it call for an external change? No (17-24) (6) In view of the present distress, is it better not to marry? Yes(25-38) (7) May a Christian widow remarry? Yes, only in the Lord, but better to remain unmarried. (39-40 )

Next Lord’s Day (D.V.) 5. Paul’s Answers (7:1) Concerning… Relationships, Rights and Personal Liberty. Chs a. Relationship between Male and Female. Ch. 7 b. Relationship between Strong and Weak Brethren Ch. 8 c. Relationship between the Missionary and the Church Members.Ch. 9 AND NOW MAY "THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE COMMUNION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WTH YOU ALL. AMEN. - II Cor. 13:14

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