Day 331, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Corinthians 7:1–11:1
Marriage, Divorce, Singleness, Christian Liberty and Responsibility
Should a person get married or stay single? Which is better? Is it okay to get divorced and remarried? How free am I to express my Christian liberty? What does the Bible say? In today’s Bible reading, Paul answers these questions for the Corinthians and us.
Corinth was a city close to Athens, Greece. It had a terrible reputation for idolatry and immorality. The Christ-followers in the Middle East, including Corinth, were under persecution for their faith. They were facing the constant threat of being killed, or at least imprisoned. This was the context for Paul’s answers to their questions. It’s important to remember the context in order to get the right interpretation of any Bible passage.
Sex Gender issues and Same-Sex. What does the Bible say about them?
In recent years there has been a lot said about sex gender and same sex marriage. What does God say about them?
Sex-Gender
Jesus said, from the beginning God made them (the original human beings) male and female (Matthew 19:4). Society has fabricated 68 destinctions between the two sexes, redefining gender as being social identities. This is a recent fabrication as this article from merriam webster dictionary attests. There really are only two sexes or genders, male and female. The words gender and sex have had identical meanings until early in this century.
Same-Sex
God laid out these laws for his own people, the Jews. Although they were written for them, we can quickly get a feel for how God feels about same-sex relationships.
Leviticus 18:22 (NIV)"Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable."
Leviticus 20:13 "If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads."These things were meant for all human beings:
Romans 1:27-28 (NIV)
In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.; These things were said to believers in Christ:
These few verses were written to a Christian church but have application for everyone:
1Corinthian 6:9
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders.
1Timothy 1:8-10
We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers-- and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.
Because a person has a relationship with someone of the same sex doesn't mean he is the worst of sinners. We are all totally depraved sinners. God has called us to repent and believe Christ died for our sins, in our place, to take our punishment. Then believe he arose from the grave to give us eternal spiritual life and peace.
Should a person get married or stay single?
It depends on the circumstances. Are there severe threats in our community? How should Christians react when some group or militia might imprison, torture, or threaten their lives? This was the real question behind the question: should life go on as usual, or should we change?Paul answers the Corinthians. In their present circumstances, it would be better if they didn’t marry and give their full attention to the Lord; he wants them to live free from concern. Paul knows if their enemies killed them, it would be tragic for their remaining spouses and families.
Marriage can be wonderful, but it brings additional responsibilities. It requires the husband and wife to divide their attention between service for God and service for the family. If we perceive life is short, the choice not to marry seems wise. However, because of the culture’s immorality, Paul says if there is a desire to marry, the Corinthian believers should marry instead of giving in to lust.
Although Paul says it’s better to stay single, he also says there’s no sin in choosing to marry. (note: there are some different views on divorce and remarriage. What did Jesus say, and what does Paul mean? See more insights).Is it okay to stay single?
The Apostle Paul says if a person doesn’t feel compelled to be married, he’ll do better staying single because he can devote his total life to God.
In their current persecution, Paul’s general advice to the Corinthians is to stay within the situation God has called them, whether married or single, and to live in peace.
What about divorce and remarriage?
Some believe that if they could only get married or remarried, they would find happiness and fulfillment. But Paul counsels couples to stay committed to their marriage and not leave or divorce their spouses. Most times, divorce is an act of violence, not peace. For more Bible reading on divorce and remarriage, see Malachi 2:14-16, Matthew 19:3-9, Mark 10:2-12, and Luke 16:18.1 Corinthians 7 refers to heterosexual relationships. If you’re married, be considerate and faithfully meet your spouse’s needs.
If you are engaged, comprehensive premarital counseling can help keep love strong—when two sinners marry, there will be conflicts. When we do not watch our attitudes, selfishness comes in like a fox to devour the garden of our marriage. Words are no longer sweet, and actions are no longer loving. Let’s not let that happen. We can de-fox our marriage by being considerate, sweet, and kind.
Biblical marriage counseling can help us identify the root causes and solutions for most marriage problems. If our marriage is stressed or in trouble, it’s best not to wait until it’s beyond hope or be too proud to seek help. We can talk with compassionate ministers or even Google “Biblical Marriage Counseling near me” to find someone to give us godly advice. The sooner, the better.
Almost all married couples want happiness and fulfillment. Yet, trying to find ultimate satisfaction in a spouse will be disappointing. We’re all sinners. We’re thoughtless, selfish, rude, and inconsiderate. True and lasting fulfillment or peace is spiritual. If we seek God for a vital relationship with him through Jesus Christ, he won’t disappoint us.Successful marriage
When Christians humble themselves and follow God’s Word with their spouse, they usually have a happier marriage, glorifying the Lord. The counsel from God’s Word teaches us to keep our commitments and to live in love and consideration of one another (see Ephesians 5: 21-33; 1Peter 3:1-8).Whether married or divorced and remarried, we can do these things to increase our happiness and glorify the Lord.
Christian Liberty and Responsibilities
We must also live in consideration for one another as we experience freedom from sin to enjoy what God has given. In Corinth and other Middle-Eastern cities, Christians were eating meat once offered to idols. This troubled those newly converted to Christ. Others knew an idol was nothing, so it didn’t matter to them, and they could enjoy their meal.
The Apostle Paul told them if any Christians raised objection to their eating meat offered to idols, they were to stop and not eat it in their presence. They were to live in consideration of each other.
Does Jesus give us liberty from our sins so we can be selfish? Suppose a follower of Christ objects to alcohol, dancing, gambling, or any other activity they relate to sin. Should we do it anyway in his presence? No. Jesus Christ provides us with the freedom to serve him. Therefore, we must live in consideration of one another. “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1, NIV). “Be careful … that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak” (1Corinthians 8:9, NIV). Let’s refrain from practicing our liberties when they are present and choose mutually agreed upon activities to include them.
Paul’s Example
The Apostle Paul uses himself as an example of what he does to convert the lost. He says,
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible… I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings (1Corinthians 9:19,22b-23, NIV).
If there is a consideration for those lost without Christ, there should be a consideration for those saved.
Paul also uses a negative example from the Israelite wanderings in the desert to emphasize responsibility in Christian liberty. Israelites were God’s chosen people, and he delivered them from Egyptian bondage. They were not, however, thankful, and they took their freedoms for granted. They engaged in immoral behavior and idolatry.
From them, we can learn not to take our liberty for granted and live with moral compromise and carelessness. God will discipline us for that. God is jealous of anything, which becomes an idol for us and leads to evil behavior. He’s jealous of anything which becomes more important than our relationship with him (1Corinthians 10:22).We find Paul’s conclusion in our focus verses below.
Discussion
What does the Apostle Paul say about marriage, divorce, remarriage, or singleness?
How should we express our Christian liberties?
1Corinthian 10:23-24, and 10:31–11:1
“Everything is permissible”-- but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”-- but not everything is constructive.
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others…. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks [non-Jews] or the church of God—even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (NIV)
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Looking Ahead: Another issue the Corinthians struggled with was proper worship. We still struggle with this today. What the Apostle Paul wrote to them is profitable for us in our worship. Join us for our next lesson.
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