1 Corinthians (Written)

Saturday, 19 July 2014

 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. 1 Corinthians 7:13

This verse is the flip side of what Paul said in verse 12 – “If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.” By saying this, he is confirming that there is no excuse by either spouse, if a believer, for leaving the marriage relationship. They are bound to their oath regardless if it was made before conversion or not, and even if the other spouse fails to call on Christ.

The reason for his words are coming in the next verse and they show us the immense importance of remaining married, even to an unbeliever.

Life application: We are expected to remain committed to our spouse. We are not granted “wiggle room” in this.

Lord God, help each of us to be obedient to Your word and to cling to what is right, even if it means our unhappiness for a while. In the end, obedience to You in a state of difficulty or sadness is surely preferable to disobedience accompanied by temporary happiness. Help us to think this through O God. Surely Your word is always given for our ultimate good and for a closer walk with You. Amen.

Friday, 18 July 2014

But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. 1 Corinthians 7:12

Paul has addressed those who wish to remain celibate, those who are widowed, and those who are married. However, he will now discuss a new group and his words are immensely important. The reason why will be given, but it actually deals with those who are affected by the marriage as much as those who are married. The issue he will now address is that of mixed marriages, where one is a believer and one is not.

To begin, he says, “But to the rest I, not the Lord, say…” He is very careful to mark a distinction between the directives personally given by the Lord and those that are given by him. His words, however, have no less import than those of the Lord. This is because they are a part of the Bible which is God’s word. They are given under the inspiration of the Spirit and must be considered authoritative. And so he begins with, “If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.”

A believing man with a non-believing spouse may not divorce her because she is an unbeliever. He got himself into the marriage and he has no right (with the previously noted exception of adultery) to terminate the marriage. The fact that he is (or became) a believer and she is a non-believer is irrelevant. He is obligated to his vows and he must stay with his wife no matter what. Again, reasons will be given for this, and they will not only affect the husband and the wife, but others as well. And it includes a reason that addresses a theological issue which goes all the way back to the fall of man.

Life application: As with the previous verses, we can clearly see that there is no reason, apart from adultery, to terminate a marriage. We cannot “excuse” our actions in divorce. And yet divorce has become as common as going to the store for groceries. The Lord cannot be pleased with the flagrant disregard of this by His people.

Lord, how often I error in my thoughts and actions and then try to make excuses for the wrong I have committed. Forgive me for trying to justify the unjustifiable and grant me the wisdom to accept my faults, confess them as faults, and determine to not make them in the future. And keep me filled with Your word so that I can recognize what is wrong before it comes my way and to stay on the correct and noble path. Thank You Lord. Amen.

17 July 2014

But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. 1 Corinthians 7:11

This verse follows on from the instruction in verse 10. It is another regularly neglected and abused tenet from Scripture, and yet it is clear and concise. If a woman has departed from her husband, she needs to “remain unmarried.” Excuses as to “why” a woman left her husband (with the noted exception of adultery) are irrelevant. No other words are given which negate this precept and Paul’s words here are not merely cultural or passing away. They are doctrine for the church. To disobey them is to disobey the Lord who inspired the words.

And so in this case, the woman is to “remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband.” This brings up an obvious problem though. What if the husband has gone and remarried? In this case, it would imply that the marriage bond is irretrievably broken and therefore she would be free from this constraint. However, it is not explicitly, but only implicitly to be inferred. No matter what, the stricter judgment on this matter is preferred. It is not acceptable for a woman to leave her husband and go to marry another.

But there is more. Paul then explains that “a husband is not to divorce his wife.” This follows on from Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:32 –

“But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.”

These words from the Lord, and also from Paul, show us that the marriage bond within the Christian context is to be held in the highest regard and is to be considered sacred. It is a violation of the will of the Lord for couples to divorce for any reason except adultery.

Life application: When you said, “I do” you were confining yourself before God to the bonds of a marriage that are not to be dissolved except through death. Divorce is not an acceptable alternative to unhappiness. Having said “I do” you should always be content with the thought that “I still do.”

Lord, it is beyond imagination to me how we can call on You to be saved and then not want to know You intimately through the study of Your word. The Bible is the most wonderful gift, the greatest treasure, and the most uplifting joy that I can imagine. And yet we go to church and hear sermons that rarely if ever show us the beauty and marvel of what is contained in its pages. Help us to get our thoughts and hearts directed toward You and give us a desire to know Your word more each day. Amen.

Wednesday, 16 July 2014

Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 1 Corinthians 7:10

So far, Paul has been addressing the unmarried and those considering marriage. He now turns to those who are married and begins with, “Now to the married I command…” This is something that is expected to be adhered to at all costs and is not up to the audience’s wishes or desires. It is a set, fixed, and firm rule. And to further bolster this, he adds, “yet not I but the Lord.” In other words, this is a command based on the words of Christ Jesus. Paul is taking extreme care to show that his words are the Lord’s words. They are fixed and inviolable.

And the command from the Lord which is re-transmitted by Paul is that, “A wife is not to depart from her husband.” If a person is married, they are to remain married. It is a solemn agreement to one another that was conducted in the presence of God, regardless as to whether they were believers at the time. It is also regardless of whether one or both have since called on Christ.

The reason for this instruction probably came about because of a question from Christian spouses who may have been concerned as to whether it was unlawful for them to be married to one who is a pagan. It is also possible that Paul’s earlier words about it being good for individuals to remain unmarried may be misconstrued to mean that separating is acceptable and even the favorable position. But the Lord’s words on this issue must stand and they are those spoken by Him in the gospels, including Mark 10:11, 12 –

“So He said to them, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.'”

The issue of divorce wasn’t merely a dispensational issue (meaning under the time of the law or during the church age, etc.). Instead it is an issue which transcends dispensations and is an eternal decree. Marriages are not to be treated carelessly and married people are to remain married until death. Paul will explain why as he continues and he will also provide other pertinent information concerning marriage and divorce.

In the end, there is only one exception to the rule on divorce which is if a spouse commits adultery. In our society, we will look for any and every excuse to be disobedient to this command, but there is none other than adultery. Let us pay heed to these words and consider them carefully. The Lord has spoken and our obedience is expected. Life application: Is it a light thing to ignore Jesus’ words concerning marriage? If we are willing to violate His command on this issue, then what type of follower does that show us to be? Let us remain united to the one we chose as our spouse and never dare to ignore the commands of Christ.

Heavenly Father, there are things recorded in Your word which are difficult for me to obey, but who am I to be disobedient to what You have commanded? Grant me the resolute and determined state of mind that I will be obedient to You no matter what. I know that I am forgiven already because of Christ, but that cannot be an excuse to be disobedient to Your word. Instead, it should be the impetus for gratitude and an even closer adherence to it. Help me to remember this and to stand fast in my faith and practice. Amen.

Tuesday, 15 July 2014

…but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.1 Corinthians 7:9

This is the second half of the previous thought to the unmarried. Paul said that it was good if they remained even as he was (meaning unmarried), “but if they cannot exercise self control, let them marry.” This is obvious. If someone who is unmarried is filled with the desires that come about in such a state, they should then get married.

The surety is that desire leads to action and action in this case is sin because sex is to be between a man and a woman in the bonds of marriage. Referring back to Paul’s statements in chapter 6, a Christian is “in” Christ and therefore to engage in illicit sex is to sin against Christ directly.

And so Paul goes on by saying, “For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” To understand this in a way not evident in the English, the Pulpit Commentary provides an analysis of the Greek tense of the verbs –

“The ‘marry’ is in the aorist – ‘to marry once for all,’ and live in holy married union; the ‘burn’ is in the present – ‘to be on fire with concupiscence.’ Marriage once for all is better than continuous lust; the former is permitted, the latter sinful.”

Paul’s words here follow on the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:27, 28 –

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

The Bible teaches that intent to sin is sin. We are given a remedy for the sins we face concerning sexual desire in today’s verse. However, there are instances where the physical needs cannot be met for whatever reason. In those cases, additional prayer and communion with the Lord is needed. This is no different than an alcoholic or drug addict who must learn to focus on Christ and to rely on Him. We are given our instructions and we need to strive to conduct our lives in holiness and in a manner which is honoring to the Lord.

Life application: The Bible shows us that we need to make decisions that may be difficult, but they are never unattainable. By staying in the word, walking closely with the Lord, and fellowshipping with other believers, we can be victorious over our sinful actions and desires.

Heavenly Father, how often I fail You! Were it not for the cross of Jesus, that eternal void between You and me would be a horrifying thought to contemplate. But because of what He did there at Calvary, there is hope, there is forgiveness, and there is the wondrous surety that I am forgiven and free. What kind of love is this! You are beyond glorious in how You have dealt with Your wayward child. Thank You, O God. Amen.