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1 Corinthians Chapter Seven

 
Chapter Seven General Review
 
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
 
1) To be impressed with basic principles governing marriage and the
 single life
 
2) To see the importance of studying scripture in its proper context
 
SUMMARY
 
At this point in Paul's letter, he begins to address those things about 
which the Corinthians had written to him (7:1). In this chapter he
discusses matters relating to marriage and the single life. The first
half deals with issues involving those married (1-24), and the last
half covers those who are single (25-40). It is important to notice
that some of what Paul says is in light of the "present distress" being
experienced by the Corinthians; also that much of what he says is 
clearly identified as his personal judgment, not necessarily the 
commandments of the Lord. In such cases, it is not a matter of right 
versus wrong, but good versus better.
 
OUTLINE
 
I. INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THOSE MARRIED (1-24)
 
 A. IN GENERAL (1-9)
 1. It is good to marry to avoid sexual immorality (1-2)
 2. Proper attitudes to govern the marriage relationship (3-4)
 3. Abstinence appropriate for short times devoted to fasting and
 prayer (5-6)
 4. Living the single life with self-control a gift from God, so
 unmarried and widows should marry if they cannot exercise 
 self-control (7-9)
 
 B. IN REGARDS TO DIVORCE (10-16)
 1. As commanded by the Lord (10-11)
 a. A wife is not to depart from her husband; if she does, let
 her remain unmarried or else be reconciled (10-11a)
 b. A husband is not to divorce his wife (11b)
 2. As instructed by Paul (12-16)
 a. Christians are not to divorce their unbelieving spouses
 (12-13)
 b. Because of the "sanctifying influence" the believer can
 have on the family (14)
 c. If the unbeliever departs, the believer is not under
 bondage, let the unbeliever depart (15)
 d. These instructions given in view of the possibility of the
 believer being able to save the unbelieving spouse (16)
 
 C. PRINCIPLES GOVERNING PAUL'S INSTRUCTIONS (17-24)
 1. As the Lord has called each one, so let him walk (17)
 2. The example of circumcision versus uncircumcision, where 
 keeping the commandments of God is what is important (18-20)
 3. The example of being a slave versus being free, where one
 might improve their condition if it is possible and profitable
 (19-24)
 
II. INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THOSE SINGLE (25-40)
 
 A. FOR THOSE WHO ARE VIRGINS (25-38)
 1. Paul gives his personal judgment in light of the "present
 distress": remain as you are (25-26)
 2. Of course if you are married, remain so; but those who are
 single would be spared much trouble in the flesh in light of
 what is to come (27-31)
  3. Remaining unmarried enables them to serve the Lord without
 distraction, and be totally devoted to Him (32-35)
 4. If it is necessary, the single may marry (36)
 5. The choice is not between good and bad, but between good and
  better (37-38)
 
 B. FOR THOSE WHO ARE WIDOWS (39-40)
 1. They are free to marry, but only "in the Lord" (39)
 2. Though Paul's personal judgment is that such a one will be
 happier to remain single, which is also the advice (though not
 demanded) of the Spirit of God (40)
 
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
 
1) List the main points of this chapter
 - Instructions Concerning Those Married (1-24)
 - Instructions Concerning Those Single (25-40)
 
2) What are Paul's instructions to married Christians? (3-5,10-11)
 - Render affection that is due to one another
 - Do not deprive one another, except for short periods of fasting 
 and prayer
 - Do not leave or divorce your spouse
 
3) What does he advise those who are unmarried and widows? (8-9,25-40)
 - It is better to remain as they are
 - But if they marry, that is alright
 
4) What does he tell Christians married to unbelievers? (12-16)
 - If the unbelievers are willing to live with them, do not divorce
 them
 - If the unbelievers depart, the Christians are not under bondage, 
 let the unbelievers go
 
5) What underlying principle is governing Paul's instructions in this
 chapter? (17-24)
 - For people to remain in whatever position they find themselves
  when they are called by God
 - Though where change is possible and profitable, such is permitted
 
6) What advantage do the single have over the married? (32-35)
 - They are better able to serve the Lord without distraction
 
7) What restriction does Paul place on widows who desire to remarry?
 (39)
 - They are to marry "only in the Lord"

"KEEPING THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD"
 
 1 Corinthians 7:19
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. The idea of "commandment-keeping" is not a popular one among many
 people today
 a. Some equate it with what they call "legalism"
 b. Others look at keeping any kind of commandment as an unpleasant
 task
 1) Perhaps a carry-over from childhood?
 2) Where they feel like they were constantly being "commanded" to
 do things?
 
2. Yet keeping the commandments of God should not be looked upon by
 Christians in this way - cf. 1 Co 7:19
 
3. In this lesson . . .
 a. I want us to consider some things about keeping the commandments
 of God
 b. Which I hope will change any adverse feelings we may have towards
 doing so
 
I. WHAT IS THE PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARD "COMMANDMENT-KEEPING"?
 
 A. IT SHOULD NOT BE ONE OF "LEGALISM"...
 1. Legalism is that idea that one earns or merits salvation by
 their obedience
 2. Such an attitude would be wrong on the part of Christians - Ti
 3:3-7
 3. Unfortunately, many in reaction to legalism have gone to the
 extreme of saying "commandment-keeping" is not important
  4. Yet Paul, whom no one could ever accuse of being a legalist,
 is the one who penned the words of our text!
 
 [I would like to offer a different perspective, based upon two
 verses that start out like our text, but end differently . . .]
 
  B. THINK OF IT AS "FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE"...
 1. Compare 1 Co 7:19 with Ga 5:6
 2. Cannot keeping the commandments of God be an expression of
 "faith working through love"?
 a. By keeping the commandments I demonstrate my FAITH - Ja 2:
 14-18
 b. By keeping the commandments I show my LOVE
 1) To Jesus - Jn 14:15; 15:14
 2) To God - 1 Jn 5:3
 3) To the children of God - 1 Jn 5:2
 3. Thought of in this way, keeping the commandments of God is
 very important!
 
 C. THINK OF IT AS PRODUCING "A NEW CREATION"...
 1. Compare 1 Co 7:19 with Ga 6:15
 2. Cannot keeping the commandments of God be thought of as
 helping to produce a "new creation"?
  a. Becoming a new creation is a blessing we enjoy by being in
 Christ - 2 Co 5:17
 b. But to enjoy this blessing involves keeping certain
 commandments...
 1) For example, baptism to receive Christ - cf. Ga 3:27
  2) Also, putting off and putting on certain qualities to
 become like Christ - cf. Co 3:5-17
 3. Again, when we think of keeping the commandments of God as
 necessary to become a new creation in Christ, then it becomes
 very important!
 
[This I believe is the proper attitude toward "commandment-keeping":
 
 - A demonstration of our faith and love!
 - Part of the process by which we can become a new creation in
 Christ!
 
But is "commandment-keeping" hard, laborious? Is it something
unpleasant?]
 
II. IS "COMMANDMENT-KEEPING" A DIFFICULT TASK?
 
 A. NOT ACCORDING TO THOSE WHO HAVE DONE IT LONGEST!
 1. Like the apostle John - 1 Jn 5:3
 2. I strongly suspect that if you were to ask some of our elderly
 saints, that they would concur with both John and the psalmist
 - Ps 119:129-136
 
 B. THE HARDEST PART IS DECIDING TO DO IT!
 1. Laboring over whether to make a decision is often harder than
 carrying it out
 2. For example, keeping commandments given by parents to children
 a. E.g., to clean the room, take out the garbage
 b. The hardest part is making the decision to do it willingly
 c. Once that is done, the "chore" really isn't one!
 3. The same is true with keeping the commandments of God (e.g.,
 baptism)
 
 C. IT IS MADE EASY FOR US WITH THE HELP OF GOD AND CHRIST!
 1. God will protect and provide as we try to keep His
 commandments - 1 Co 10:13
 a. Protect you from what you are unable to overcome
 b. Provide you with ways of escape for that which you do face
 2. Yes, we are not alone as we try to keep the commandments of
 God - Ph 2:12-13; 4:13
 3. Even if we are forsaken by all others in times of greatest
 need, God is still there! - 2 Ti 4:16-18
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. But such blessings, and such assurance of faith, comes only to those
 who like Paul live as though "keeping the commandments of God is
 what matters"!
 
2. How important is keeping the commandments of God?
 a. It is essential to receiving MERCY from God - Ps 103:15-18; Mt
 7:21-23
 b. It is essential to receiving the LOVE & ABIDING PRESENCE of God
 - Jn 14:21,23
 c. It is essential to having our PRAYERS ANSWERED - 1 Jn 3:22
 
Dear friends and brethren, are you keeping the commandments of God?

－－《Executable Outlines》

Marriage

Concerned About the Affairs of this World

Concerned About the Lord’s Affairs

I. How to Treat Each Other in Marriage

1. Fulfill Marital Duty

2. Sharing

3. Do Not Deprive Each Other

II. Sanctified Each Other through Marriage

1. Unmarried Woman or Virgin

2. Duties of the Married

3. Must Not Divorce

III. Remain Virgin for the Lord

1. Conditions of Remaining Unmarried

2. The Widow Stays Unmarried

3. Undivided Devotion to the Lord