2. 1 Co.7 introduces the second main division of the Epistle –Paul is not writing a tract on marriage –He is answering questions always1 Co.6 refutes a position based on unbridled lust (always wrong) generally1 Co.7 corrects tendencies toward self- denial (generally lawful)

3. 1 Co. 7:1 1, good not to touch a woman does not require celibacy –Fasting is good –RYR received good instructions Neither is required of us –Paul does not require celibacy, or say it is better than marriage

4. 1 Co. 7:2-5 2: Marriage w/o fornication always surpasses celibacy with fornication! Celibacy is not for everyone 3-5, paradoxes: normal –In normal sense, our body is our own spiritual –In spiritual sense, God’s, 6:19-20 marital –In marital sense, marriage partner’s, 7:3-5 One exception(5): with consent… for limited time… for spiritual purpose

5. 1 Co. 7:6-7 6, verse 5 is not a command to deprive a mate for a time, even for prayer –By way of concession, Paul tells them they may marry, or they may “deprive” one another w/in limits (v.5), but he does not command it 7, celibacy is for the celibate –Lord’s words in Mt.19:12 may have led some to favor celibacy

6. 1 Co. 7:8-9, the unmarried It is good if they can remain as Paul (unmarried) –8 seems to contradict 1 Tim.5:14 1 Co.7:26 makes the difference better to marrythan to burn w. passion9, better to marry than to burn w. passion (cf. v.5) –This passage makes no sense if this marriage is adultery!

7. 1 Co.7:10-11, the married charge, commandMilitary term: charge, command (not advice) –10, “it is not really my charge, but Christ’s” (Mt.19:4-6) Paul’s Christ’sNot based on Paul’s authority (which Judaizers might reject) but on Christ’s –10, marriage is permanent! if she does departnot –11, if she does depart… does not give permission to divorce 1 Jn.2:1 Divorce is serious

8. 1 Co.7:12-15, mixed marriages Must a believer stay married to an unbeliever? 12-13, Jesus did not address this issue marriage law not limited to saints13, marriage law not limited to saints believer unbeliever14, the believer is not defiled; the unbeliever is sanctified (not saved, v. 16) –The marriage provides an opportunity to be saved (9:22; 1 Pt.3:1-2) –If the believer leaves...

9. 1 Co.7:15 The unbeliever may not agree to live with a Christian Bondage: make a slave of, reduce to bondageBondage: make a slave of, reduce to bondage –Never used of marriage bond are –Verses 27 and 39 are the marriage bond

10. 1 Co.7:15 (part 2) 1 Co.9:19, Paul accommodated himself to social and personal circumstances of people he tried to teach; but there was a limit: Ac. 13:…44-46 Tense: never were a slave (in the past) and not in that condition now (present) In such cases = because of the believer’s faith (12-13)In such cases = because of the believer’s faith (12-13) IfdidIf an unbeliever’s desertion did give the right to remarry, it would be better to marry an unbeliever than a believer! –(No passage allows remarriage if a believer deserts)

11. 1 Co.7:16 16, one reason for maintaining the marriage is the hope of saving the unbelieving spouse (14) 1 Co.7:17-24 17, you can serve God where you are now (even if married to a heathen)

12. 1 Co.7:18-24 illustration: circumcision18-20, illustration: circumcision (Ga.5:6; 6:15) illustration: slavery21-22, illustration: slavery. Ep.6:5-8, a slave can be a Christian; a Christian cannot be a slave (except to the Lord) –Freedman –Freedman at time of calling do not become slaves of mengeneral particular23, do not become slaves of men (a general prohibition; v.15, a particular example) –The Christian forsook slavery; he must not sacrifice this relationship for anyone 24, summary: do not dissolve a perfectly good marriage to serve God

13. 1 Co.7:25-40, reasons to stay single 25, inspired judgment; based on present circumstances present distress26-28, present distress –28, Bound (tense = past act, present results; marriage bond) Lord had prohibited divorce –28, Loosed = bachelors and widowers –28, affliction in the flesh

14. 1 Co.7:29-31 Paraphrase: –“Though I do not counsel you to change your state, I do counsel you to change your attitude toward all earthly things” If conditions make it wise to act as if unmarried, the same conditions make it unwise to marry!

15. 1 Co.7:32-38 32-35, marriage does not prevent devotion to the Lord, and singleness does not guarantee it “A man who is a hero in himself becomes a coward when he thinks of his widowed wife and his orphaned children” –But: “A man who is a hero in himself becomes a coward when he thinks of his widowed wife and his orphaned children” 36-38 –Fathers arranged marriages for their children (1 Co.4:15; 2 Co.11:2)

16. 1 Co.7:39-40 39-40, permanency of marriage –Ro.7:1-3 (written soon after 1 Co.) Bound by law as long as her husband lives…Bound by law as long as her husband lives… –To marry a heathen would make loyalty to Christ very difficult

17. A passage out of context becomes a pretext 1.15, Luther argued that a Christian, now divorced by a heathen partner, may remarry – What passage says so? – Luther believed in the right to do whatever the Scriptures do not expressly forbid – Some brethren apparently agree!

18. 2. 1 Co.7:17, 20, 24 –L. Williams applies this section to adulterous relationships of alien sinners who may become Christians and stay as they are Some equate the homosexual’s sinful choices with race that no one can choose Wms. and others equate adulterous marriages w. circumcision and slavery!

19. Dan Billingsley on 1 Co.7 “No, No, No, 1 Corinthians offers no prohibition for divorce among Christians. This passage teaches that when a Christian couple is separated and their marriage is in danger of being severed, while they are attempting ‘reconciliation’ they are not to marry others while still married to each other… “Paul does not teach one doctrine on marriage, divorce and marriage in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 and another doctrine in verses 27-28”“No, No, No, 1 Corinthians offers no prohibition for divorce among Christians. This passage teaches that when a Christian couple is separated and their marriage is in danger of being severed, while they are attempting ‘reconciliation’ they are not to marry others while still married to each other… “Paul does not teach one doctrine on marriage, divorce and marriage in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 and another doctrine in verses 27-28” –1 Co.7:10-11, 39-40 (Ro.7); Mt.19:4-6

20. 1 Co.7:27-28 Some claim the “bond” prohibits the married adulterer from leaving his sin Olan Hicks: Why destroy a home just because somebody made a mistake back yonder somewhere?”Olan Hicks: Why destroy a home just because somebody made a mistake back yonder somewhere?” –His solution: Just repent of breaking the covenant and continue in the relationship

21. Will this work as well for: IdolatersIdolaters? –Manufacturers of idols who became Christians claimed this principle to justify their continuing to earn a living in this way. “Can’t you starve?” (Tertullian) Married homosexualsMarried homosexuals? –1 Co. 6:9-11

22. Will it work as well for: PolygamistsPolygamists? –Dan Bell (an elder in Kenya) took this slant on v.24 (let him remain…) He kept both wives!He kept both wives! –Some American brethren who established the church there knew of his polygamy, but let it continue! Why break up a happy home??Why break up a happy home??

23. 1 Co.7:24 assumes an honorable course Otherwise, do as the Ephesians – Ac.19:18-19 1 Co.6:9-11