1 Corinthians 7
We are reminded here of the subject of this epistle and that is advice to the church on how to deal with those who commit fornication. In this case it was one who had relations with his father's wife. I assume this to be his stepmother. This was something to be judged by the church and not something to be taken to the secular courts.
Paul believed those in the ministry were better off remaining single and in order to give themselves wholly to the service of God. This was never a commandment of God but advice from Paul on what he thought was better. It was given by God's permission but was not a commandment from God. Many cannot live like that and it causes them to fall into temptation and sin later on if they force themselves to try.
There was never a commandment and Paul never started a commandment that priests or other ministers of the gospel could not marry. In fact it is a sign of falling away from the truth not adhering to the truth. This must always be a personal choice.
The married couples were not to defraud one other except when they mutually agreed to set aside a time for prayer and fasting in order to seek God as individuals.
Notice that Paul makes it clear on this point to be speaking of his own preference. This part is not a commandment from God.
Some men are able to concentrate totally on the Lord and do without marriage, others cannot.
This could mean to burn with passion some take it to mean to burn in hell from the sin that causes one to give into lust. It seems to me that it would mean to burn with passion and lust of the flesh would could lead to sin, ruin his ministry and could eventually cause one to lose his soul if he allowed the sin continue on unabated until total apostasy set in.
Here Paul returns to the commandment of the Lord. God hates divorce and putting away. It is clear that if one marries they are to remain faithful and not depart from their spouses.
If the situation is so unbearable that
separation is the only solution, they are to remain unmarried.
Children are not defiled by a mixed marriage. Its better to avoid a marriage with unbelievers, but if one finds himself or herself in a marriage with an unbeliever, they are not to try to escape it. An unbelieving spouse is not grounds for divorce.
Here Paul speaks and it is not a commandment of the Lord that if an unbelieving spouse departs, then of course the innocent party should not be in bondage.
There is always a possibility of winning the unsaved spouse to Christ but there is never any guarantee. If we go ahead and marry someone who is an unbeliever with the hope of winning them to the Lord, it just may backfire and they pull the believer away from the Lord.
We can't force celibacy on everyone. We all have different gifts and callings.
Keeping the commandments of God is the main idea, not the ritual of circumcision. Keeping the commandments is the same as being circumcised. This can be said of any religious ritual or outward act. Keeping the commandments would be considered greater than any religious ritual.
God calls us to certain positions and gives us the ability and gifts to help us fulfill our calling. We are to abide and be faithful in that which the Lord has called us into. Sometimes we may miss His calling and then we may have to leave what we are doing and find out what the Lord has for us to do but once we find it, that should be what we work and labor in and occupy until His returns.
If possible servants should be free to serve only the Lord.
Christ bought and paid for us all, we should not own slaves. Servants should be paid a decent wage and not be made to feel that he or she is less important than the employer. It is even better though that the servants be free to serve the Lord.
This is again Paul's words and not Christ's. If we want to serve God with all our heart, soul, mind and spirit, it is better to stay single but if we choose to marry it is not sin and we can serve God as a couple and as a family.
In times of severe persecution where believers are scattered, jailed and put to death, it is the same as having no marriage.
When our treasure is in heaven, we will lose nothing. In times of tribulation, the things we thought were important become trivial.
Paul prefers to see completely committed men to give themselves entirely over to the Lord without distraction. Yet we see here that the Lord gives no such commandment. Generally speaking it makes sense that if one is called into a field where he has to travel in remote regions unsafe for women and children, staying single may be the best option. There are some types of ministries though that work better if a person is married.
Marriage is preferable to avoid fornication and sin if one cannot control his natural desires of the flesh. This should always be an individual decision and never imposed by a father, a church or anyone else. Back in those days a virgin was given in marriage many times without her consent. To remain unmarried was considered a disgrace so whether or not to allow a virgin daughter to marry was not her own decision. That is why Paul is instructing fathers here. Now we can decide for ourselves and no one knows our weakness in the flesh better than we as an individual and can best decide whether to take Paul's advice or marry.
If a spouse of the believing Christian dies, he or she is free to marry again but should be sure that they marry someone who also believes and that the marriage is in the will of God.
The sum of this is that it is better to give ourselves completely to God and not be distracted. We need to make it clear though that this is not the commandment of God but our own personal choice. Making it a commandment will be adding to the gospel and placing a burden upon those trying to live godly lives. |
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