How do we live in a messy, chaotic, uncertain world? A Question we rightly keep coming back to.
Questions from Corinth
In this chapter, the question is about marriage and celibacy. Verse 1 may even be a Corinthian quote where they are suggesting that it is better not to touch or have sexual relations with a woman but to practice strict celibacy. So for some there may have appeared to be opportunity for escape from present relationships and responsibilities. This may also have been a reaction to the actions of others in ch 5-6.
Paul will pick up on the following related issues
- Husbands and wives abstaining from sex to pursue a spiritual vocation (v2 – 6)
- The unmarried (widows and virgins) deciding not to get married at all and breaking off engagements (v7-11, 25-40).
- People married to unbelievers – should they get divorced (v 12-16)
- The secret for godly living in a messy world is neither licence nor legalism but godly wisdom
Note two things
- Paul distinguishes between specific commands from the Lord a(v10) and advice he gives (v 12, v 25)
The specific command refers to Jesus’ teaching on earth, recorded in the Gospels (e.g. Matthew 5, Matthew 19, Mark 10, Luke 16:18).
- Paul’s advice is set in the context of life between Christ’s Resurrection and Christ’s Return (v26, v 29)
Paul still speaks as an apostle -under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (v 40). I think the sense here is that this is practical wisdom to be applied to actual situations carefully (similar to Proverbs)
So a big lesson here is about the danger of legalism as the opposite extreme to licence. The result is that you end up in a big mess. Legalism often happens when I look at one person’s wise decision in the circumstances they face with the gifts God has given them and make a rule for everyone.
Paul’s big answer throughout the chapter is to seek Christian contentment and so to remain where you are. This means practicing faithfulness to your situation trusting God to be faithful to you (v 7).
-Being married is a gift from God -for that time
– Being single is a gift from God for that time
I don’t think this is about some magical gift of singleness where you never long for a partner, never feel lonely, never get sexually tempted. Rather, God provides what you need in those circumstances and gives those circumstances to you so that you can worship him, serve him and enjoy his goodness.
Circumcision and slavery are used as examples. Note very carefully here that Paul is not endorsing slavery or saying accept the status quo but rebelling and running away are not the answer. Rather, you are to use the lawful means that God has given you to change things (v21) whilst trusting God’s faithfulness and seeing your new status in Christ as free (v22).[1]
God will be faithful to you
This means
Husbands and wives should not deny each other sexually. There’s a sense of mutual submission here. Physical pleasures are good, wholesome and from God. Sex is good if placed in it’s right context of marriage. A wider application of this is that work, art, leisure are things to enjoy as good gifts from God[2]
You should stay with your wife/husband (v 13). Note that if the unbeliever chooses to leave/desert then that’s a different matter. You are then free.
It is okay to choose not to marry (v26, v32) -but it also good and okay to marry (v 36) but also make sure you marry the right person (v 39)
The issue here is wisdom. Think through the implications. There are pros and cons. Will marriage enable you to serve God together or will you simply become pre-occupied with the cares and worries of life? Will marriage teach you not to be selfish or encourage selfishness and introversion?
- The secret for godly living in a messy world is to seek God’s glory and to put the Gospel first?
V 7 “each person has a special gift from the Lord”
V29, v 31 Time is short
V35 “…whatever will help you serve the Lord best”
So making decisions in life requires us to think through these questions:
– am I using my God given gifts and talents?
-Is the body of Christ being built up, encouraged and nurtured?
– Is it leading to Gospel opportunities?
– Is God being glorified?
This must apply to all areas of my life whether, moving home, changing job, deciding what to do on my day off or choosing which course to study at University.
Conclusion
This is a great cure for restless, wandering spirits. Settle down into what God has given you. Recognise this time and these circumstances as his gift for you to enjoy and to use for his glory. This is a great reminder of the value and importance of life now. This is an urgent reminder of the priority of the Gospel.
[1] For more details on this see Dave Williams John Wesley and the Slave Trade, available at https://faithroots.net/resources-2/resources/
[2] Nb the whole matter of divorce and re-marriage is a much bigger subject than we can cover here. Check out here for more detail.
Faithroots 