Adult Bible Study – 1^st Corinthians

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

Chapter 7:1-9

The question of marriage versus celibacy appears to have been raised by the Corinthians. Paul advocates for celibacy.  We discover later that his reasoning is based in single-minded endeavor to work for the Lord in service to the Gospel.  Someone who is married cannot devote his/her entire life to the work of the gospel because matters of home and responsibility to another individual are on the table. Yet, this is his personal preference, not a universal rule for all people.  For those to whom celibacy is not an option, where sexuality remain a desired objective, marriage is the solution for such a person.  Marriage is the way that sexuality and morality remain options.

Where there is a marriage, mutual conjugal rights are important and Paul takes the discussion into the arena of “authority over oneself” within the marriage context.  Neither party has “authority” over their own body in a marriage.  Each bear the authority over the other.  This is an argument toward the end of “owing” their bodies to each other.  Therefore, do not deny each other their conjugal rights lest the denial become a pitfall of temptation to engage someone else.

Paul adds another dimension to the discussion as well, the dimension of the individuality of each person’s gifts.  There are some who may have the gift of celibacy, for whom remaining asexual is not a problem.  There are also people for whom non-celibacy is their gift possessing other gifts to offer for the church.  Paul’s point is that each gift that is given is a gift from God.

Chapter 7:10-16

To those who are married – there should be no separation.  Women should not separate from their husbands, nor should husbands divorce their wives.  Yet, these rules seem to in the context of a couple both of whom are “believers”; because, “for the others” the rules are somewhat altered.

First, where one is an “unbeliever” – if the unbeliever consents to stay attached, let it be.  Unbelievers are somehow sanctified through their marriage to the believer.  If, however, the unbeliever wants a divorce, it should bee allowed.  In this case all contracts are off and the parties are not bound. The objective in the relationship is that the believing partner may be the saving force in the unbeliever’s life.

Chapter 7:17-31

“Let each of you lead the life that the Lord has assigned, to which God called you.” This is a vital saying that has already taken root in the words of Paul regarding marriage. This is one opportunity to see the relationship between the individual and the community.  This distinction has played it self out already.  Central in his thought about the Corinthian church is the community is the central focus.  Everything must be considered with respect to whether it is good or not for the community as a whole.  The individual must keep himself/herself out of immoral conduct for the sake of the community – the body of Christ.  You will remember that Paul has identified the “body” as the temple of God in which the spirit resides – just as each individual is to be viewed as the temple of the Holy Spirit wherein God resides.  Individuals must be mindful to reflect their place in the community as a whole.

Now he turns attention to the individual as he/she enters the community – the church.  His advocacy is to be and remain “who you are”.  The list includes:  if you were circumcised (that is part of the Jewish community and the Jewish covenant) it’s OK, you don’t have to do anything to change that; if you were uncircumcised, don’t seek to become circumcised; if you were a slave, don’t seek to be free.  The reasoning is that none of these conditions has any bearing on being called and brought into the community of the church.  Baptism doesn’t change any of these life events.  Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any bearing upon our place in the community – the church – the kingdom of God.  These are for Paul all the same thing.  Social status has no bearing – whether being slave or free; in fact, those who are slaves are actually free in the gospel and redemption of Christ; those who are free are actually called to be slaves of Christ.

This is an important point: in the kingdom of God the only thing that matters is our standing in Christ, that we have all been redeemed, purchased with the price of Christ’s life on the cross.  That is the only thing that matters.  Social status, former religious affiliation has no bearing any longer.

Chapter 7:25-40

Now for the unmarried in their congregation; Paul speaks in the context of the very troubled and turbulent times that they were living in.  Keep in mind that the Christians of this century were a new phenomenon.  They were being persecuted both the Romans government and by the Jewish establishment.  Paul himself was one of the leaders of the persecution having performed several executions including that of Stephen.  These were times that presented challenges as well as threats to life and limb.  Bearing responsibility for self alone is a weighty enough responsibility in such times; bearing the additional responsibility for spouse and children could only complicate things. This is the point that Paul made. However, if bound to a spouse this should not be a circumstance to seek to be free.  Remain as you are.

The “appointed time has grown short”.  This belies Paul’s belief that return of the risen Christ is immanent.  It was believed to be coming within their life time. Given this additional dimension to the present circumstances, Paul puts forward another precept in his teaching – our lives lived in the present are to be guided by the future life to come.  Given the coming disaster and given the glorious return of Christ and the eternal establishment of the kingdom of God, how do I live my life today?  What ramifications do these events have upon today?   Paul’s answer came in several paradoxical phrases:

The true depth of these statements lies in Paul’s urging not to be attached to the world, because it’s passing away.  If the world and all the trappings of the world are your only attachment, soon you will have nothing.  Attachment needs to reside with Christ.  If that is your attachment, your value, when the world passes away you has everything still.

The last part of the chapter reinforces what Paul wrote prior. His opinion is that marriage provides a distraction to the work of the gospel because when someone is married that person’s attention is divided.  But, if celibacy is not a possibility then get married and don’t worry about it because marriage or no marriage does not provide an obstacle for God.

© Copy write held by The Rev. Dr. Kipp W. Zimmermann

Wednesday, November 19, 2003