1st Corinthians Chapter 8

 

Be Sensitive to Conscience

 

Chapter Introduction

    Paul writes this chapter concerning a singular subject, Be Sensitive to Conscience. The question being addressed is whether or not eating an offering made to other gods’ was a sin. Paul breaks his thought on this topic into four paragraphs addressing first; how knowledge enhances ego. And that God knows the heart of man. The second paragraph states that there is but one God. The third paragraph addresses the consciousness of idol sacrifice. And finally, the consciousness actions affecting the weaker consciousness of another.

 

Chapter outline

 

God knows who loves Him ……………….V-1-3

Key Verse: 1Co 8:3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.

There is but one God ……………………….V4-6

Key Verse: [1Co 8:4 NKJV] 4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] no other God but one.

Actions causing stumbling blocks …….V7-8

Key Verse: 1Co 8:8 But food does not commend us (bring us closer-CSB) to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

Knowingly eating offerings to idols ……V9-13

•      [1Co 8:10 NKJV] 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?

 

 

1^ST Corinthians Chapter

Verses 1-3

Using observation to build question for interpretation.

•      What did Paul consider to be Idols?

•      Is it a sin to eat meat bought in the marketplace?

•      Is knowledge unto itself corrupting?

•      Does knowledge increases ego.

•      Is there any significance to the phrase “we know”?

•      How does Love edify?

•      How is edify used and what does it mean?

•      To who was Paul directing his exhortation, all congregants or church leaders?

•      What does Paul mean in verse 2? 

Interpretation

Examining those questions asked during observation will help us understand the author’s intent.

•      •      What did Paul consider to be Idols?

•      Idols are defined as, “Physical or material image or form representing a reality or being considered divine and thus an object of worship.”¹

•      Use of idols in worship was very prevalent in Roman and Greek cultures.

•      Meat from sacrificed animals were sold in the market place.

•      “The most noted problem in the New Testament concerns the propriety of eating food which has previously been offered to an idol (1 Corinthians 8).”^fn1 

 

•      Is it a sin to eat meat bought in the marketplace?

•      “Concerning things offered to idols” Idol is translated from the Greek word eidōlothytos G1494 and is used as an adjective .

•      Comparing Scripture translations we see in the KJV  the word touching “Now as touching things offered”.

•      In other occurrences in Scripture of “as touching” we see its contextual meaning as, concerning.

•      Compare KJV with the NKJV.

•      John reports in Revelation 2:20, that Jesus held eating foods sacrificed to idols against the church in Thyatira.

•      Although Deuteronomy nor Leviticus do not forbid eating food offered to idols; we find Daniel declining to eat from the kings table.

•      The king ate foods not kosher for the Jew.

•      Daniel declined to drink the wine from the kings table, which he knew had been offered to the false gods of Babylon (Dan 1:8-16 CSB).

Why did Daniel think it wrong to eat from the kings table?

•      Daniel knew that food on the kings table was first offered as sacrifices to Babylonian gods.

•      To knowing eat that which was offered as tribute to other gods would be to honor other gods.

•      Honoring other gods would be a sin against Jehovah, who commanded that His people should worship no other gods but Him (Exo 30:3-6 ).

•      Daniel therefore demonstrated by not eating from the kings table that Jehovah gave him health and vitality, thereby showing his God to be more than the Babylonian gods (Dan 1:11-21).

•      Holman writes:

•      1:8 The word determined means literally "set upon his heart," referring to inner resolve. Daniel decided that he would not defile himself with a diet that included non-Kosher meat such as horseflesh and pork, or drink wine that had been offered to Babylonian gods.fn2 

•      Paul writes that everything permissible for him is not beneficial for him (1Cor 6:12).

•      Paul was saying that just because eating food purchased in the market place was not illegal, at the same time it would not be beneficial for a weaker believer to see him eating such food.

•      Consuming the food itself was not the sin it was the knowledge of the source of that food that made eating it sinful.

•      Is there any significance to the phrase “we know”?

•      “We know” from the Greek word eidō G1492

•      This phrase is the plural, which includes all believers, including Paul.

•      “We know” what?

•      We know that we all have knowledge that it is wrong to eat meat offered to idols.

•      Why is it wrong? Refer to Num 25:2 NKJV.

•      The sharing in worship to other gods.

•      John revealed in Rev 2:14 what Jesus said about eating offering to idols.

•      We have covered the phrase puffed-up, and the definition has not changed over the centuries.

•      “Puffed up”, in today’s vernacular we might also say swelled headed, or to be full of one’s self.

•      These are all descriptive phrases, to describe being proud of one’s accomplishments.

•      The final phrase bearing a closer look is “love edifies”

•      I found the definition given in BLB of edify most enlightening.

•      Concerning what they should know of the partaking of flesh from animals sacrificed to idols.

•      Paul is saying you think you know it all, but that what you should know, you do not know.

•      Paul speaks of knowing in a prideful manner V2.

•      Those who think they know much know little. See also Prov 26:12 NKJV

Application is sometimes best delayed until the end of the chapter.

There is no hard and fast rule on when you can make an application.

Often application can and is made after a verse.

Allow the Holy Spirit to dictate your application.

How Does Our Interpretation
Stack up?

Jamieson Fausset and Brown

Matthew Henry

Holman The HSB Study Bible

1^st Corinthians 8

Verses 4-6

Paul saw confusion in the church as to whether eating the meat from an idol sacrifice was a sin or not.

•      Some words and phrases requiring more research are: idols is nothing, gods in heaven or earth, for us but one God and so-called gods.

•      By reason of explanation, Paul writing to the church in Corinth, edifies them as to why eating of idol sacrifices is wrong.

•      Paul states that there is only one God (monotheism) for Christians and Jews the world has many gods (polytheism).

•      The gods of the world are nothing, whether on earth or in heaven.

But what does this all mean?

•      Paul uses the phrase “so-called gods”.

•      The translator used the lower case “g and l” in the word gods and lords, whereas when referring to Jehovah, the capital “G and L” is used.

•      In both cases the Greek word, is theos G2316.

•      Paul using the phrase “so-called” to indicate that no other God but Jehovah, is deity.

•      The next phrase V5 “in heaven or earth” should not be interpreted to mean heaven, the dwelling place of Jehovah.

•      Heaven is translated from the Greek word ouranos (ü-rä-no's), G3772, meaning air.

•      “So called gods” The Greeks were polytheist believing in many gods.

•      These gods residing on Mount Olympus.

•      Manmade gods most often seen in wood, stone, gold, and silver, which were sold for profit. (Dan 5:23).

•      There is but one true God, the father (creator) of all things in heaven and on earth.

•      All things created through Jesus, and for Jesus (Col 1:16 NKJV).

How Does Our Interpretation
Stack up?

Jamieson Fausset and Brown

Matthew Henry

Holman The HSB Study Bible

1^st Corinthians 8
Verses 7,8

Paul allows for the ignorance of some who do not have a strong conscience against idol sacrificed meats.

•      Points observed needing more research.

•      The writer points to the word conscience by repeating it in the same verse.

•      And in the following verse, the author uses contrasting statements to highlight the phrase “food does not commend us to God”.

Although our observation gives us a good idea of what Paul is saying, we should look deeper into what he has said.

•      It was not because of ignorance of the Jewish law against eating meat sacrificed to idols; instead, it was unknowing purchase and consumption of meat sacrificed to idols that were the problem.

•      We see verse 7 beginning with the word “However”.

•       Knowledge concerning the consumption of Idol sacrificed meat as being a sin (tainted meat).

•      The Holy Spirit lives within the believer, and He becomes the believer's conscience.

•      In a new believer, the Holy Spirit's voice may be weak or soft and, therefore, not heard or ignored, leaving a lack of knowledge either through ignorance or ignored.

•      Therefore a person without knowledge, or conscience, is not troubled by their actions.

 •      The key idea behind these two verses is knowledge or consciousness of thought.

•      Eating of food regardless of its source, does not in and by itself, commend us to God.

•      The danger is in the knowledge that your actions are wrong and still doing them.

How Does Our Interpretation 

Stack up?

Jamieson Fausset and Brown

Matthew Henry

Holman The HSB Study Bible

1^st Corinthians 8
Verses -9-13

Having explained the believer’s conscience. Paul now moves onto a warning.

•      Words and phrases observed needing further investigation:

•      V9 This liberty, stumbling block

•      V10 eating in idols temples, weak to become emboldened

•      V11 Weak brother perish

•      V12 sin against the brethren, wounding their conscience

•      V13 if food makes a brother stumble

•      Paul’s warning to those who have knowledge of sin, eat the idol offered food.

What does our investigation reveal?

•      The word liberty is translated from the Greek word exousia a Feminine Noun  G1849.

•      The liberty Paul is referring to in V9 refers to the power or better put the influence a strong believer has over a weaker believer.

•      The weaker believer is apt to look upon the stronger believer as an authority figure.

•      Verse ten if a weaker believer sees a stronger believer eat in an idol’s temple or perhaps the temple’s courtyard.

•      Whether or not the food was offered to a god is not important.

•      What is important is the weaker believer would take the strong believer’s action to be approved.

•      This belief could cause a weak believer to eat sacrificed meat and become defiled.

•      Therefore by his actions, the stronger believer has caused his weaker brother to sin.

•      Paul states in V13 that it would be better never to eat meat again than to cause a brother to sin by eating meat.

How Does Our Interpretation
Stack up?

Jamieson Fausset and Brown

Matthew Henry

Holman The HSB Study Bible

Analytical Summary

Answering the original question of “is it a sin to eat the meat offered to a god other than Jehovah. Those who have a strong conscience of the Holy Spirit have an obligation to the weaker believer. This obligation is a form of authority that can be abused. The weaker will naturally look to the stronger believer as an example to follow. Therefore the appearance of impropriety by a strong believer could cause a weaker believer to sin. Paul states that if this is a danger, it would be better not to eat meat.    

Application:

•      How has this chapter changed my relationship with:

•      God

•      Myself

•      a thought or word to examine

•      an action to take

•      an example to follow

•      an error to avoid

•      an attitude to change or guard against

•      a priority to change

•      a goal to strive for

•      a personal value or standard to hold up

•      a sin to forsake

•      Others

•      Satan

Bibliography

References

Credits

All biblical text are from the Christian Study Bible (CSB), unless otherwise noted.

Main reference source Blue letter Bible

Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Idol'. Holman Bible Dictionary

Blum, Edwin A.  Holman study Bible. WORDsearch Corp, (2110)

 

 

Footnotes:

fn1. Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Idol'. Holman Bible Dictionary.  

https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/hbd/i/idol.html. 1991.

 

Fn2. 1. Edwin A. Blum Holman study Bible. WORDsearch Corp, (2110). 

 

1 Corinthians 7 - Marriage

1st Corinthians

Chapter Seven

Marriage

Chapter Introduction

observations:

     Paul, being advised as to the immoral behavior of the Church in Corinth, took immediate action. Paul wrote this chapter to clarify the Christian role as it pertains to marriage. Paul divided this epistle into four main sections: marriage principles, keeping the marital vows, living as you were called to live, and Finally, addressing those Christians who were unmarried or widowed.

     While it is unknown if Paul was ever married, he did have definite ideas on the subject. Paul said it would be better if all could be as he was. That is without anyone or anything to detract him from his devotion to the LORD.

Chapter outline

The principles of marriage ………… 1-9

Relationship of marital partners ………  2-5

Paul’s concession …………………………..  6-9

Keeping marital vows …………………10-16

The LORDS command on marriage.……11

Paul’s guidance on divorce ………………. 12-16

Live as you are called ………………… 17-24

Ordinance on circumcision ………………. 18,19

Bond servant or free ………………………… 20-23

The unmarried and widows …………. 25-40

Stay as you are when called ……………… 26-29

Devotion ………..………………………………… 30-40

Principles of Marriage
Verses 1-9

Observations

•      Important words and or phrases:

•      One wife,

•      One husband,

•      authority over,

•      but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry…”

Look also for observation Details; who, what, when, and where

Interpretation (what does it mean)

Although names are not mentioned in the first section of this chapter they are revealed in research:

•      Such as Timothy, Silas, Aquila, and Priscilla all Christians see Acts 18

The terms husband and wife are repeated several times, five times in just the first section of the chapter.

•      The repetition of this term is used to drive home the importance of sexual relations between husband and wife

•      The term is husband not husbands and wife not wives.

•      Thereby reinforcing the concept of monogamy found in Gen 2:24

Where did this concept of one man one women union begin?

•       God ordained the union of one man one woman (Gen 2:24)

•      Authority in the physical relationship between husband and wife

•      Each is to have affection one to the other

•      Neither husband nor the wife have the physical authority over the other.  to deprive the other of love, or sexual fulfilment of that love ref Hos 3:3.

•      In verse 9 Paul uses a metaphor “passion” to better describe the intensity of sexual desire.

•      The actual Greek word is pyroō  G4448 an all-consuming fire

   

What key truths or events have transpired in this section?

•      key idea in this first section is to remain faithful to one’s spouse and not to deprive the other of physical union

•      Except if mutually agreed for the purpose of fasting and prayer

•      Paul believed that all should remain celibate as he was and to devote time to fasting a prayer

•      However, he realized that most would not be able to resist the allure of sexual relations and bayed them to marry (V7)

•          Fasting a theological term described in Vines dictionary  G3621 nesteia

•      To voluntary or involuntary go without food

•      Usually seen in Scripture in conjunction with prayer or praying

   

•      Paul wrote this epistle after receiving a report of immorality within the church V1-2 with reference to 1Cor 5:1.

•      The word power in V4 is used in some translation as opposed to authority

•      Refer to Strongs G1850 exousiazō

•      Power and authority in verse 4 are interchangeable.

•      When someone has power over someone else they have authority over that someone

•      Paul uses the phrase “burn with passion” in v9.

•      I can only find one instance V9 where this figure of speech is used.

•      The atmosphere in the church was one of uncertainty and moral decay see chapter 5 .

•      The church in Corinth was planted during Paul’s second missionary journey 49-51 AD.

•      Acts 18:1 tells us that Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.

•      Preaching (reasoning) in the synagogue each Sabbath to Jew and Gentile. [?]

•      Paul reasoned by conviction of the Holy Spirit Acts 18:4

•      Paul deals with the issue of the abandoned spouse.

•      If one chooses to marry, that person must remain with his marital partner, because of their vows.

•      The Lord stated:

•      If the wife departs from her husband she is not free to remarry (1Cor 7:10).

•      She is still bound by her vows.

•      Her husband cannot divorce her for desertion (1Cor 7:11).

•      Moses allowed divorce because of the harness of man’s heart (Mat 19:8 CSB).

•      The LORD said from the beginning it was not so (Mat 19:4-9 CSB).

•      Besides the grounds of infidelity there are other reasons why people seek divorce.

•      What does Scripture advise us, when it comes to spousal desertion?

•      Paul, not the Lord, gave an exception for unevenly yoked marriage or a believer who is married to a nonbeliever.

•      Like Moses, did Paul have the authority to change marital law?

 

•      Assuming Paul had the apostolic authority to forgive sin, did that authority extend further?

•      Although, desertion is not grounds for divorce, Paul did grant a stipulation.

•      Paul stipulates the spouse must be willing to remain with their unbelieving spouse.

•      The assumption is if the spouse does not wish to remain, then it ok to divorce (1Cor7:15)?

•      desertion is not grounds for divorce.

•      However, the spouse must be willing to remain with their unbelieving spouse.

•      Paul gives the reason for remaining in a marital relationship between believer and unbeliever.

•      The believing spouse sanctifies •The unbeliever spouse because of their belief.

•      In today's world, men's hearts have become even harder than those of Paul's time. Because of this hardening of the heart, are there other accepted reasons for divorce?

•      Is physical or mental cruelty grounds for divorce?

•      Old Testament precedence:

•      Mal 2:16,  Deu 24:1

•      New Testament Precedence:

•      Mat 5:31-32

•      If a spouse fails to live up to the marital vows, is that grounds for divorce.

•      Marital vows center around fidelity (love, honor, and forsaking all others).

•      Breaking marital vows most often as a result of or results in sexual immorality.

•      Jesus said, “except for sexual immorality and marries another commits adultery” (Mat 19:9) .

Do the Biblical laws of divorce apply to non-believers in marriages where one marital partner becoming a believer and the other not?

Paul, not the LORD, gives exception in this case (1Co 7:15).

The believing partner in a marriage is to remain in that marriage.

Remaining in an uneven yoked marriage keeps alive the opportunity for the unsaved partner to come to salvation.

However, if they chose not to live together then it is the unbeliever who will leave the union.

 

Application

How has this section changed my relationship with:

God (A prayer for my marriage)

Myself (a personal value or standard to hold up)

Others (My spouse)

Satan (A temptation to resist)

Other general suggestions on application can be found in (Hans Finzel (2015). (p. 80). Unlocking the Scriptures. David C Cook. Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com) 

Keeping your Marriage Vows
Verses 10-16

Question posed

For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife 1Cor 7:10?

Literary Principles Structure Outline

Explanation …. Command …………………………V10

Explanation …. I, not the Lord …………………… V12

Comparison …. Unbelieving Spouse …………… V12,13

Explanation/Comparison…sanctified …………. V14

Finding the details (continued)

•          Theological terms:

•      Sanctified

•      Unclean

•          Key events:

•      Marriage union

•      Relationship between believers and unbelieving spouse.

•      Divorce

•          Important words (verb tense, commands)

•      Bondage

•      Unbeliever

•          Are there figures of speech (metaphors)?

•          Atmosphere

•      Confusion over vows and divorce

Finding the details 

•      The geography and location are not mentioned in this segment.

•      However, in the interpretation phase of this study, we will take a closer look at the relevancy of Corinth on the church.

•      The time factors are not given in this segment.

•      However, Paul wrote of timeless concepts in this segment.

•      We will explore the timeliness of this segment in our investigation of this segment.

We are ready to begin our interpretation of this segment, using our observations as a starting point.

•      “The goal is to discover what the author meant by those items in question. At the interpretive stage, you will go beyond collecting the facts expressed in the biblical text” (Hans Finzel, 2016).

Interpretation:

We are looking at observations of who, what, when, where we will now add why.

•      We know from the previous segment’s interpretation of this chapter is the apostle Paul.

As we noted in the previous segment’s interpretation, Paul would rather people did not marry V8.

•      This segment was written to those believers who chose to marry.

•      Some of the important words Paul addresses are: depart, divorce, belief, and unbelief, unclean, and bondage.

•      Paul speaks of the Lord’s command to the wife not to depart (1Cor 7:10)

•      However, beginning with the next verse, Paul adds a caveat to this command.

•      However, Paul made sure to say that this caveat was from him, not the Lord

•      He probably thought he could add this caveat because Mosses allowed for divorce

Looking at the words identified in our segment observations.

•      Important words of a theological nature are:

•      Sanctified:

•      We all have a preconception of what this word means.

•      However, now we will validate that preconception with further investigation.

•      Sanctified is translated from the Greek word hagiazō  G40, meaning to make holy

•      Was your preconception accurate?

•      Unclean:

•      Translated from the Greek akathartos with the root being (G1) (as a negative particle) for foul.

•      A descriptive work for the stench of sin.

•      Used in V14 as an adjective in context, to describe

•      A state of moral impurity G169

•      The key elements of the segment are:

•      Marriage the union of male and female Gen 2:24.

•      They become one flesh.

•      This union goes far beyond the physical joining

•      Divorce, a manmade corruption of God’s intent.

•      Initiated by Moses (Deu 24:1-2)

•      Because he knew the weakness of the heart (Mat 19:8)

•      Paul expanded on divorce, by clarification

•      While making it clear that divorce is not God’s will.

•      1Cor 7:10 wives do not depart

•      Husbands do not divorce your wife for abandonment V11

•      Neither shall divorce by reason of unbelief ( 1Cor 7:12-16)

•      Bondage:

•      Jewish Law of redeeming Deu 25:5 additional reading “the law of the kinsman-redeemer”

•      The Greek word douloō translated as a masculine noun.

•      Paul cites bother brother and sister  V15; why?

•      Even though the surviving closest male family member is obligated to take the widow as his wife.

•      The widow is also obligated to seek out and join with the closest male family member

•      They both brother and sister have equal obligations.

 

Application

How has this section changed my relationship with:

God (A prayer for my marriage)

Myself (a personal value or standard to hold up)

Others (My spouse)

Satan (A temptation to resist)

Other general suggestions on application can be found in (Hans Finzel (2015). (p. 80). Unlocking the Scriptures. David C Cook. Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com) 

Live as You are Called
17-24

Paul spends much of this segment showing the differences and similarities of the Jews (circumcised) and Gentiles (uncircumcised)

•      Paul uses the literary principle of repetition to emphasize the issue of circumcision.

•      The author uses a question asked, then answered to draw attention slaves status

•      Contrast is used to draw attention to the conclusion

•      Looking at some details of this segment.

•      Paul speaks of the circumcised and uncircumcised

•      Circumcised or not, neither is of concern

•      Only the calling is important

•      Slave or free, we are all bought with the same blood

•      Universal timeless concept

•      Key words underlined in observation detail requiring more investigation

•      Having observed the highlights of this segment. It is now time to interpret or investigate those words and phrases found during the observation phase of our study.

Circumcision is a sign of inclusion in the Abrahamic covenant.

•      Circumcised

•      All Jewish males were to be circumcised as a sign of the Abrahamic covenant Gen 17:10-14.

•      If for any reason a male was not circumcised he would be cut off from the house of Israel.

•      This is a timeless practice carried on today on the male child’s 8^th birthday.

Uncircumcised

•      Anyone who did not accept the circumcision would be cut off from the Abrahamic covenant

•      This included all nations who came to be called Gentiles.

•      Gentiles is translated from the Hebrew word gowy H1471, a masculine noun meaning anyone or nation not Jewish, also called heathen.

•      For additional information Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon

•      Slave

•      Translated from the Greek word doulos G1401, a masculine noun meaning servant.

•      Freeman

•      The definition is obvious.

•      However, the definition found here will give us a better all-encompassing definition of the time

•      The key phrase of this segment is found in v23

•      Our sovereign Lord calls who He wills, for His purpose, without regard of station in life.

Application

How has this section changed my relationship with:

God (A prayer for my marriage)

Myself (a personal value or standard to hold up)

Others (My spouse)

Satan (A temptation to resist)

Other general suggestions on application can be found in (Hans Finzel (2015). (p. 80). Unlocking the Scriptures. David C Cook. Retrieved from https://app.wordsearchbible.lifeway.com) 

 
The Unmarried Widows
Verses 25-40

The last segment is long. Before reading this segment, ask yourself this question.

•      Is it good to marry or be married?

•      These 15 verses discuss this question

•      Paul qualifies his message in V25.

•      Not a commandment.

•      I give judgment.

•      Good for a man or women to remain as they are

•      Bound to a wife V27.

 

•      Paul using contrast (principle of literary structure) in verses 28-34 to point to devotion

•      Marriage not advised but not a sin either V28.

•      Unmarried cares for the Lord V32.

•      Married cares for the world their spouse V33.

Some important statements were made and questions answered.

•      Paul speaks to Husbands, wives advising them to remain as you are.

•      Virgins to not seek husbands, and men do not seek a wives V27.

•      What is Paul advising get married or not?

•      A husband’s devotion is to his wife, V33.

•      A wife’s devotion is to her husband, V34.

•      Wife bound to husband, V39.

•      Unmarried cares for things of the Lord.

•      Married people care for the world.

•      Husband’s do not seek freedom from your wife V27.

What is Paul advising about getting married?

•      Did Paul use Jewish law as a basis in his. revelation to the church?

•      This section revolves around the time element.

•      Paul wanted the time devoted to the Lord and not split with spouses.

What does this all mean? Was Paul ever married?

Paul believed that a follower of Jesus's life should be spent in devotion to the Lord and that having a spouse detracted the believer from that goal.

•      Paul devoted his life singularly to Christ Jesus.

•      As this relationship seemed right to him, he desired it for all the church.

•      However, Paul cautioned widows and the unmarried to remain as they are.

•      Paul was not against marriage; rather he was for unencumbered devotion to Christ Jesus.

•      Was, Paul married?

•      Scripture does not directly say one way or the other.

•      verse 8, Paul indicates (remain even as I am) his marital status presumed to have been single

•      However, some theologians say Paul had to be married to be a Pharisee.

•      After checking Scripture as well as several outside sources,

•      I could find no requirement for Pharisee’s or members of the Sanhedrin to be married.

•      CAUTION DO NOT GET SO DEEP IN THE WEEDS THAT YOU LOSE SIGHT OF YOUR INTERPRETATION OBJECTIVES.

•      Paul’s message to the church was to remain content in whatever role they were in. God called you while you were in that role.

•      Paul gives several detailed instructions on remaining as you are.

 

•      If called when uncircumcised, then remain uncircumcised.

•      There was ongoing pressure for Gentiles to become circumcised.

•      This action would have become an acceptance of the Mosaic covenant and the whole law (Gal 5:3)

•      If, called when uncircumcised then remain uncircumcised.

•      There was on going pressure for Gentiles to become circumcised.

•      This action would have become an acceptance of the Mosaic covenant and the whole law (Gal 5:3)

•      If you were a (slave) servant when called do not worry.

•      All Christians are freeman in Christ V 22.

•      If freedom is available from servitude to another take the freedom V. 21-23.

•      As many in the church were wealthy having many servants Paul reached out to them.

•      Chose to serve and worship the Lord as a freeman.

Summary 

1^st Corinthians 7

Paul advised of the immoral behavior of the Church in Corinth. Paul wrote this epistle to spell out the Christian’s role in marriage and divorce. The first section is on the principles of marriage. The second is keeping the marital vows. The third is live as you were when called and Finally addressing those Christians who were unmarried, widowed. Paul said it would be better if all could be as he was. That is without anyone or anything to detract him from his devotion to the LORD.Paul answered to question of circumcision by saying only God’s commandment matters.

Bibliography and Credits

Finzel, Hans. Steps in inductive Bible Study was taken from Hans Fenzel. Unlocking the Scriptures, Three Steps to Personal Bible Study. Hans Finzel. WORDsearch (2003)

All scripture text, and interlinear translations and biblical definitions were taken from: https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv