Study 5 From The Book of 1 Corinthians Is: 1
Corinthians 7
In this chapter Paul is answering specific
questions about marriage. These questions had been sent to him by the church at
Corinth. His instructions are strict in view of the moral laxity of pagan
Corinth and the ‘distress’ etc. referred to in verses 26-35. He shows that
marriage and the single life are equally permissible and that each person must
find out in which state God intents him to live (see verse 7).
1. Why did Paul remain single
(verses 7, 8)? See verses 25-35. Are his reasons relevant for us today?
2. In verses 17-24 Paul is dealing
with the wider question of the Christian’s position in the society of his
day. What rule is laid down for the
Christian three times in these verses?
How does this apply to us?
3. Gather out Paul’s practical
teaching about married life (2-5, 10-16) and compare his more theological
treatment in Eph. 5:22-33.
Notes
1. Verse 14. These seems to have been a fear in some minds
that continued union with an unbeliever after conversion to Christ might be
defiling to the Christian partner. Paul says the opposite can happen.
2. Verses 17-24. Being ‘called’ in this section refers not to
a person’s place and function in human society, but to God’s call through
Christ to sinners.
3. Verses 26, 28, 29, 31-35. The
trying and transitory character of this present world, the added anxieties of
married life, and desire to give undivided devotion to the Lord may provide
reasons for abstaining from unnecessary change or involvement.
4. Verses 36-38. A difficult
section. Paul was probably advising a young man about his fiancée. But he could
have been advising a father or guardian about a girl under his care.
