The Problem Of Broken Marriages
1 Corinthians 7
Before we begin this lesson we must realize that the Apostle Paul is addressing the Church and he is addressing certain questions this church at Corinth had about marriage.
Whatever the results we take from this passage we must realize that marriage is indeed honorable in the eyes of God!
Heb 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
In America today there are more than 2 million marriages each year but only 1 out of 15 of those marriages survive more than 10 years and only 1 out of every 13 even after children have come into that marriage.
It has become the trend for couples to just be cohabited together but of those, only 1 out of 23 will ever marry and their odds of divorce is even great than those that marry without first cohabiting.
There are also 30% of those married who are in their second marriage and 42% of those second marriages will also end in divorce!
In fact there is a divorce in America about every 36 seconds!
This is not what God intended!
For those that call themselves Christian, the averages are about the same as those say they are not Christian!
The truth is, that those who regularly attend church are 35% less likely to divorce than those who rarely attend church.
Over 53% of Christians say that God must be the center of that marriage for it to survive!
Those that say they are Christian, but the way they live their lives says differently, are the ones that are the most likely to get a divorce of them all!
This is another reason that the Church has the name "a house of hypocrites"!
Paul was addressing a church that was full of "Babes in Christ" and they had many questions about marriage and divorce and Paul, led by the Holy Spirit, was addressing these issues!
*****1Co 7:1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
The first thing we see here is that Paul was addressing a specific question that he had received in a letter that had been sent to him.
In fact many believe that Paul was quoting the actual words of this letter.
The truth is, that forbidding marriage in the Church is considered "apostasy" in the eyes of God!
1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
1Ti 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
1Ti 4:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
We must forget that it was God Himself who first sanctioned marriage and gave us the guidelines for marriage!
Mar 10:6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
Mar 10:7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
Mar 10:8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
Mar 10:9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
The family was sanctioned before the Church, in order for the Church to understand what it is to be in the family of God!
Mal 2:14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
Mal 2:15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
It is true, that those who can remain single, without sin, can attend to the things of the Lord without distraction but not many can do this thing!
Jesus Christ addressed this with the Apostles and Paul is now addressing this with these Corinthians.
Mat 19:10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
Mat 19:11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
Mat 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
What is the truth?
*****1Co 7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
The only way to avoid the sin of fornication, is for every man to have "his own wife" and every woman to have "her own husband" or to remain celibate but still have "no" lusts in their hearts!
When we look upon any woman, other than our own wives or in the case of the woman on another man other than her husband with lust in our hearts, we are already in the sin of adultery!
Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
And this would also include the homosexual movement and all those that are unmarried!
Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
The truth is, being celibate without sin is no more holy than being married and without sin!
We must remember that God Himself said it was not good for most men to be alone!
Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
To solve this problem God made woman!
Only a woman can be a "help meet" to a man "to fulfill his incompleteness" and be his companion.
Adam was only complete, when Eve stood by his side!
Gen 5:2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and "called their name Adam", in the day when they were created.
Those that enter into a marriage from lustful impulses, do not really understand the ordinance of marriage!
True marriage is, a mutual spiritual affection of one man to one woman!
True marriage is, each one wishing for the well-being of the other "and causing this to happen"!
*****1Co 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
Benevolence, is the desire to do good, to be kind, to be charitable, and a love with a desire to promote happiness in that one you marry!
Benevolence is the trait of God that this world ignores the most!
1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
A marriage that last, knows the love of God and shows that love toward each other!
The wife is due this sort of love as well as the husband!
*****1Co 7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
Most important is the fact that marriage is not just some fanciful union that is subject to change, marriage is a holy bond between one man and one woman!
In the marriage bond, separate ownership of each person ceases because they then own each other!
Even though in the family the man is to be the head, the equal rights of the husband and the wife are to be maintained.
A marriage is to be united in the most intimate union and the most tender ties!
*****1Co 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
Marriage should bring much joy but it also brings many responsibilities!
Each one, husband and wife, have the responsibility to fulfill each other in all things!
Remember benevolence is also a great desire to promote happiness in each other in every way!
Anything less than this, is to defraud one another!
To defraud is to deny!
To defraud is to take something away without the knowledge of the owner and in marriage the two parties own each other!
To defraud is to withhold from another what is due him or her!
There should be times when each party should dedicate some time to the Lord and fasting could include the ability to withhold from each other for a known period of time!
Remember it is Satan's goal to break up every family!
It is Satan's goal, to put an end to all things sanctioned by God!
1Pe 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
The Marriage is the first thing that God sanctioned in humans after life itself!
*****1Co 7:6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
The "permission" to say these things was obviously from the Lord, since no one else was above Paul in "apostolic authority".
The Apostles were all equal in the eyes of God and Jesus told them whatever they bound on earth would be bound in Heaven.
Paul was not denying divine inspiration but was certainly claiming it!
Paul was just saying, that though he did not have an explicit commandment to cite for this teaching, from the Laws of Moses nor from the teachings of Christ, he was certainly led by the Holy Spirit!
And what did Jesus say?
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
The Holy Spirit will always lead us in the ways of Christ Jesus!
*****1Co 7:7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
1Co 7:8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
1Co 7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
What is the truth of that day of the Apostle Paul?
Act 11:28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and "signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world": which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
During the reign of Claudius, several different famine are known to have occurred.
The first famine during this period was centered around the city of Rome in the years 41 and 42 A.D.
The second famine known to have occurred during the reign of Claudius was in the fourth year of his office (45 A.D.), and was particularly centered in Judea.
It is this famine to which Luke makes reference in Acts 11:28.
The third famine during the time of Claudius was centered in Greece in about A.D. 50.
The fourth famine took place in 52 A.D. and once again, plagued the city of Rome.
The Apostle Paul established the Church at Corinth in 51 AD.
Not only did these things occur but during this same period, the persecution of Christians was on the rise!
Paul mentions these things in verse 26.
**1Co 7:26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
With these things in mind we can better understand what Paul is saying in these Scriptures.
The truth is, Paul was not married at this time and because of these conditions that were going on throughout the world, Paul said it may be best for all to remain single that were not at that time married!
Paul was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin and marriage was a requirement and it is probable that Paul was at one time married and was in fact a widower himself as verse 8 leads us to believe!
And even Jesus said it would not be easy to be celibate while we are in these sinful bodies!
Mat 19:10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
Mat 19:11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
Mat 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
Paul has only justified celibacy, but in no way is celibacy better than marriage as they are both holy in the eyes of God, one no better than the other!
It is being obedient to the Word of God that remains the example for all of us!
To burn with lust and passion, is a great sin as we have already pointed out!
To lust is to commit fornication in your heart and it is best to find that marriage partner and commit to a biblical marriage rather than live in sin!
Paul having been married and a widower and then saved, had now devoted all his life to serving the Lord!
These are all things that the Holy Spirit led Paul to write but once a marriage takes place it falls under the commandments of the Lord!
*****1Co 7:10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
1Co 7:11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
Remember Paul sent this letter to the Church, those who had welcomed Jesus into their heart and were saved. This Scripture refers to Christians that marry!
It is the Lord who said "let not the wife depart from the husband".
Mat 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
Mat 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Mat 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
And Jesus had confirmed that marriage had been ordained of God from the beginning of Creation!
Gen 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
Gen 2:22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Gen 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
The idea of these things is that God himself had said that the marriage bond of one man and one woman would be until their death!
Adam lived over 800 years and was married to only one wife, who was Eve!
Jesus later said that only for the act of fornication, which includes adultery, should any divorce be granted!
Mat 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
There should never be any irreconcilable differences between two Christians!
The Bible plainly states two Christians that know the Lord should be able to work out any differences that come up in their marriage, if they truly love the Lord and love each other!
We should also remember we are all sinners and the Lord took our place on the cross to redeem us from all sin!
We must do the very best to follow the Word of God, and repent of all our sin!
*****1Co 7:12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
1Co 7:13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
1Co 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
Again Paul is claiming the inspiration of the Holy Spirit on things that were not directly addressed by the Lord.
These things are going to happen where just one in a family may become Christian and not the other.
In the time of Ezra when the Jews were returning from Babylon, God commanded the Jews to put away all wives who were not Jews. These things were under the laws of Moses.
Now in the time of "Grace" there are to be no marriages between a Christian and a non-Christian but those that come to know the Lord after marriage are to remain married it at all possible.
Verse 14 explains the reasons why!
In other words, that bond of marriage is still holy in the eyes of God but is does not mean that salvation can come based on the that Christian!
*****1Co 7:15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
1Co 7:16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
If that non-Christian wishes to be separated from that Christian then it is not to be treated as sin and either one, man or woman are free to remarry, but that Christian only to another Christian.
If the unbelieving wife or husband chooses to leave the relationship, there is nothing else that the believer can do!
The Christian spouse may remain unmarried as long as there be any possibility of reconciliation but they are not under bondage, no longer bound by God's law to remain with that one who left!
This is similar to the law that when one partner dies the other is no longer bound by the marriage vows!
Rom 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
Rom 7:3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
*****1Co 7:17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
The Christian life is a divine calling of God! We are to live according to the Word of God. Only then can we be true witnesses for the Lord!
God has a purpose for each of us and He calls on us to fulfill that purpose!
Unless God calls us specifically to do other wise, we should remain in the same calling as our previous life was spent.
There is a reason we live where we live and work where we work and that is our missionary field unless God tells us to change or opens a door to another ministry.
The only difference is, that we are to stay in our calling with God the Holy Spirit living within us and following His lead!
Our life is to be for Christ Jesus, in Him, with Him, and for Him!
If we are single we are to work for God!
If we are married we are to work for God!
If we are divorced we are to work for God!
If we remarry we are to work for God!
We are where we are, because God has chosen to place us in that position!
Christianity was never intended to introduce a violent revolutionary element into society but certainly to bring peace to a violent world!
Some examples are:
*****1Co 7:18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
1Co 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
1Co 7:20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
Many Jews who became Christians became ashamed of Judaism and desired to remove the outward signs of it.
The Apostle Paul taught that once a Jew converted to Christianity he should not abandon the customs of his nation.
There is no shame in being a Jew! In Fact There is no shame for a Christian in any nationality!
Red, yellow, black and white, we are all precious in His sight!
We are all to keep the written Word of God as our guide of life!
Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Gal 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
If you are a Christian then you are the true children of Abraham!
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
When we are Christian, then we need to act like Christians rather than act like the world acts!
*****1Co 7:21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
1Co 7:22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
A Christian is someone who after salvation succeeds in applying the principles of the Word of God to his daily life, and uses his place in society, no matter what it is, in a Christ-like spirit.
We should not consider slavery as we know it but look at slavery at the time of Paul!
Slaves abounded in Greece and in every part of the pagan world!
Grecians did not care for manual labor and had slaves to do that work!
Many slaves who had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ then also felt they should no longer submit to their masters.
It is true that slavery in most cases is very cruel, oppressive, and unjust but in that day many slaves had sold themselves into slavery in order to better themselves!
Christians should do their best to preserve the peace and not become disorderly.
God simply says be content where God has placed you, use your position to reach out to those that do not know the Lord.
We must never allow our circumstances to diminish our Christian spirit!
If freedom is to happen, God will make a way but we are already God's freemen because we have been redeemed from the bondage of Satan!
We are all to suffer persecution and it still does not make the oppression of a master right or just, but we are all justified in the eyes of God that know the Lord!
This does not mean that a slave should not desire freedom if it can be obtained in a legal fashion, keeping in mind we are never to dishonor Jesus Christ under any conditions!
Slavery is certainly evil but each man or woman of God must be patient and allow God to do what He does best, as He will provide all our needs in every circumstance!
For those who do not know, slavery is even more rampant today than it has ever been throughout known history but you do not ever see this fact in the news or mentioned by governments.
Even the United Nations does not mention this fact!
In the eyes of God, all that are called and accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior are already God's freemen!
We are all made free from "condemnation"!
Remember the "wages of sin" are death!
We were all once slaves to sin but are now liberated!
Freedom from the bondage of sin, is the greatest blessing we can receive at the hand of God!
We are Christ Jesus servants only to the extent that we are to obey the Word of God!
He is now our Master and He has given us all the same commands to follow!
We all stand on level ground at the cross of Jesus no matter the conditions of our past life!
*****1Co 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
1Co 7:24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
The price for all our freedom was the precious "blood of Jesus Christ"!
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
There is no other price that can purchase our freedom from Satan's bondage other than the blood of Jesus!
No matter our position in life we are to be servants of God!
Even in what the world calls slavery, the Christian slave has absolute liberty in the eyes of God!
The key is, to abide in God and doing service as to the Lord!
Eph 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Eph 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Eph 6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
Eph 6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
*****1Co 7:25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
1Co 7:26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
Again we should not forget Paul is answering questions that were sent to him in a letter from these church members.
It is true that the Lord Jesus did not directly address virgins but the Bible is specific when it says we are to avoid "fornication"!
Virgins used in this verse mean both the male and the female.
Here we are reminded that in the days of the Apostle Paul, there where great famines everywhere and it was simply not a good time to start a marriage.
Most of us parents and grandparents today know how evil this world is getting, and we know it is simply hard for a newly wed couple to survive in a relationship at this time while the future of this world looks so bleak!
This is the same thing that Paul was saying!
In fact Jesus said these things as we approach the end times:
Luk 23:28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
Luk 23:29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
And Paul continues:
*****1Co 7:27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
Paul was simply saying that in that day with all those famines, and the Christian persecution was on the rise, there was enough turmoil in the lives of these people there was no sense in adding to it.
Jesus said:
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
BUT, Biblical marriage is never a sin!
*****1Co 7:28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
Again Paul is just saying under the political conditions of that day, it would be even harder to have a Christian marriage.
Paul said "I only desire to spare you from adding great distress into your life that could cause a marriage to fail through no fault of your own!
*****1Co 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
1Co 7:30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
1Co 7:31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
First, our time is so short that we have to serve the Lord, we need to put off all things that are simply a waste of that precious time!
Second, Christian persecution was on the rise in the days of the Apostle Paul as it is now!
Third, The time is short before the Second Coming of Christ!
Peter preached the same message:
1Pe 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
It is a fact at the Rapture of the Church there will be no such thing as husbands and wives, for we will all be as the Angels!
We must understand the Scriptures!
Mar 12:24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
Mar 12:25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.
Mar 12:26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
Mar 12:27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
We should be rejoicing that the time is so short and not be agonizing about it!
2Co 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
And we should all remember the words of our Lord!
Luk 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
Luk 17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Luk 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
Luk 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
Luk 17:30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
We would be blind not see how the world is getting more like the days of Noah every moment that passes!
We must spiritually detach our selves from this world, because the fashion of this world is passing away every tick of the clock!
Paul points out that every decision we make in this time that is so short, should relate to our service in the work of the Lord!
And then Paul returns to answering those questions on marriage because marriage is a big step to take for everyone to consider!
*****1Co 7:32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
1Co 7:33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
Paul is simply saying that when we allow the cares of this world overwhelm us, we will take our eyes off of the Lord!
Jesus put it like this:
Luk 21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
Luk 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Luk 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Luk 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Jesus says to the generation who sees all these things happening, that generation will not pass away until all that He has said will be fulfilled!
We should understand that the Apostle Paul is not discouraging marriage!
Paul is just saying that there times when things are so bad, and the coming of the Lord is so imminent, and our time spent in the service of the Lord is so valuable, that maybe we should concentrate on those things!
Some can without sin and some cannot and they marry, but all without sin!
Paul has already stated that one is no holier than the other!
What is the greatest difference between the single person and the married person?
*****1Co 7:34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
If we remember the story of Mary and Martha, then Paul is suggesting that the married wife would be more like Martha than like Mary.
Luk 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
Luk 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
Luk 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Luk 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
The most important thing in all our lives should be to be sitting at the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ!
*****1Co 7:35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
1Co 7:36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
One of the biggest problems in lasting marriages, is that neither the husband nor the wife really took the time to get to know each other!
It is also a fact that we should never make major decisions until we are firm in our relation with the Lord!
Paul has been speaking to "babes in Christ" throughout this epistle and Paul is saying slow down, get right with God first, then these other decisions will be easier to make!
Paul said he was not trying to put a stumbling block in front of any of them!
We can profit more in the Lord, than from any situation that this world has to offer!
In the days of the Apostle Paul, most marriages were arranged by the father of the bride and most of those daughters were wedded by a certain age usually before the age 0f 20, in order to insure her virginity.
If a father held his daughter out of marriage it could create scandal and sin for that daughter.
It is always hard for most fathers to approve of the one who is to wed that daughter but as we know, young lovers do things that parents do not approve of, and it may be best to allow the marriage, to avoid sin in their lives and turn them away from the Lord!
*****1Co 7:37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
1Co 7:38 So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
If that daughter simply did not want to marry and remain a virgin, then that parent was to have no cause to force the issue.
The authority of the parent in that day was great but parents certainly have no right to force a marriage that benefits the family more than it was a benefit to that child!
The freedom to wed, must remain with the child and follow the Word of God as best they can!
To give her in marriage would be good, but Paul says in the distresses of that time it may better if she remained free from marriage.
What is the truth of Scriptures?
*****1Co 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
1Co 7:40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
The Bible is specific, the second marriage of a Christian widow if it happens at all, should be to another Christian.
Rom 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
Those that remain single after the death of their husband can still be happy in the Lord.
Paul said we all have our opinions, but these he has spoken about were inspired by the Holy Spirit of God.
We must know that all Scripture was inspired by God through the Holy Spirit!
Those that despise what Paul has written about marriage, then despise the God that gave Paul these words!
1Th 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
1Th 4:8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
Questions?
Let's Pray!
1 Corinthians 7
Before we begin this lesson we must realize that the Apostle Paul is addressing the Church and he is addressing certain questions this church at Corinth had about marriage.
Whatever the results we take from this passage we must realize that marriage is indeed honorable in the eyes of God!
Heb 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
In America today there are more than 2 million marriages each year but only 1 out of 15 of those marriages survive more than 10 years and only 1 out of every 13 even after children have come into that marriage.
It has become the trend for couples to just be cohabited together but of those, only 1 out of 23 will ever marry and their odds of divorce is even great than those that marry without first cohabiting.
There are also 30% of those married who are in their second marriage and 42% of those second marriages will also end in divorce!
In fact there is a divorce in America about every 36 seconds!
This is not what God intended!
For those that call themselves Christian, the averages are about the same as those say they are not Christian!
The truth is, that those who regularly attend church are 35% less likely to divorce than those who rarely attend church.
Over 53% of Christians say that God must be the center of that marriage for it to survive!
Those that say they are Christian, but the way they live their lives says differently, are the ones that are the most likely to get a divorce of them all!
This is another reason that the Church has the name "a house of hypocrites"!
Paul was addressing a church that was full of "Babes in Christ" and they had many questions about marriage and divorce and Paul, led by the Holy Spirit, was addressing these issues!
*****1Co 7:1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
The first thing we see here is that Paul was addressing a specific question that he had received in a letter that had been sent to him.
In fact many believe that Paul was quoting the actual words of this letter.
The truth is, that forbidding marriage in the Church is considered "apostasy" in the eyes of God!
1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
1Ti 4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:
1Ti 4:5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
We must forget that it was God Himself who first sanctioned marriage and gave us the guidelines for marriage!
Mar 10:6 But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.
Mar 10:7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;
Mar 10:8 And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.
Mar 10:9 What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
The family was sanctioned before the Church, in order for the Church to understand what it is to be in the family of God!
Mal 2:14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
Mal 2:15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
It is true, that those who can remain single, without sin, can attend to the things of the Lord without distraction but not many can do this thing!
Jesus Christ addressed this with the Apostles and Paul is now addressing this with these Corinthians.
Mat 19:10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
Mat 19:11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
Mat 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
What is the truth?
*****1Co 7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
The only way to avoid the sin of fornication, is for every man to have "his own wife" and every woman to have "her own husband" or to remain celibate but still have "no" lusts in their hearts!
When we look upon any woman, other than our own wives or in the case of the woman on another man other than her husband with lust in our hearts, we are already in the sin of adultery!
Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
And this would also include the homosexual movement and all those that are unmarried!
Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
The truth is, being celibate without sin is no more holy than being married and without sin!
We must remember that God Himself said it was not good for most men to be alone!
Gen 2:18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
To solve this problem God made woman!
Only a woman can be a "help meet" to a man "to fulfill his incompleteness" and be his companion.
Adam was only complete, when Eve stood by his side!
Gen 5:2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and "called their name Adam", in the day when they were created.
Those that enter into a marriage from lustful impulses, do not really understand the ordinance of marriage!
True marriage is, a mutual spiritual affection of one man to one woman!
True marriage is, each one wishing for the well-being of the other "and causing this to happen"!
*****1Co 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
Benevolence, is the desire to do good, to be kind, to be charitable, and a love with a desire to promote happiness in that one you marry!
Benevolence is the trait of God that this world ignores the most!
1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
A marriage that last, knows the love of God and shows that love toward each other!
The wife is due this sort of love as well as the husband!
*****1Co 7:4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
Most important is the fact that marriage is not just some fanciful union that is subject to change, marriage is a holy bond between one man and one woman!
In the marriage bond, separate ownership of each person ceases because they then own each other!
Even though in the family the man is to be the head, the equal rights of the husband and the wife are to be maintained.
A marriage is to be united in the most intimate union and the most tender ties!
*****1Co 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
Marriage should bring much joy but it also brings many responsibilities!
Each one, husband and wife, have the responsibility to fulfill each other in all things!
Remember benevolence is also a great desire to promote happiness in each other in every way!
Anything less than this, is to defraud one another!
To defraud is to deny!
To defraud is to take something away without the knowledge of the owner and in marriage the two parties own each other!
To defraud is to withhold from another what is due him or her!
There should be times when each party should dedicate some time to the Lord and fasting could include the ability to withhold from each other for a known period of time!
Remember it is Satan's goal to break up every family!
It is Satan's goal, to put an end to all things sanctioned by God!
1Pe 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
The Marriage is the first thing that God sanctioned in humans after life itself!
*****1Co 7:6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
The "permission" to say these things was obviously from the Lord, since no one else was above Paul in "apostolic authority".
The Apostles were all equal in the eyes of God and Jesus told them whatever they bound on earth would be bound in Heaven.
Paul was not denying divine inspiration but was certainly claiming it!
Paul was just saying, that though he did not have an explicit commandment to cite for this teaching, from the Laws of Moses nor from the teachings of Christ, he was certainly led by the Holy Spirit!
And what did Jesus say?
Joh 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
The Holy Spirit will always lead us in the ways of Christ Jesus!
*****1Co 7:7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
1Co 7:8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
1Co 7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
What is the truth of that day of the Apostle Paul?
Act 11:28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and "signified by the Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world": which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar.
During the reign of Claudius, several different famine are known to have occurred.
The first famine during this period was centered around the city of Rome in the years 41 and 42 A.D.
The second famine known to have occurred during the reign of Claudius was in the fourth year of his office (45 A.D.), and was particularly centered in Judea.
It is this famine to which Luke makes reference in Acts 11:28.
The third famine during the time of Claudius was centered in Greece in about A.D. 50.
The fourth famine took place in 52 A.D. and once again, plagued the city of Rome.
The Apostle Paul established the Church at Corinth in 51 AD.
Not only did these things occur but during this same period, the persecution of Christians was on the rise!
Paul mentions these things in verse 26.
**1Co 7:26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
With these things in mind we can better understand what Paul is saying in these Scriptures.
The truth is, Paul was not married at this time and because of these conditions that were going on throughout the world, Paul said it may be best for all to remain single that were not at that time married!
Paul was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin and marriage was a requirement and it is probable that Paul was at one time married and was in fact a widower himself as verse 8 leads us to believe!
And even Jesus said it would not be easy to be celibate while we are in these sinful bodies!
Mat 19:10 His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry.
Mat 19:11 But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.
Mat 19:12 For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
Paul has only justified celibacy, but in no way is celibacy better than marriage as they are both holy in the eyes of God, one no better than the other!
It is being obedient to the Word of God that remains the example for all of us!
To burn with lust and passion, is a great sin as we have already pointed out!
To lust is to commit fornication in your heart and it is best to find that marriage partner and commit to a biblical marriage rather than live in sin!
Paul having been married and a widower and then saved, had now devoted all his life to serving the Lord!
These are all things that the Holy Spirit led Paul to write but once a marriage takes place it falls under the commandments of the Lord!
*****1Co 7:10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
1Co 7:11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
Remember Paul sent this letter to the Church, those who had welcomed Jesus into their heart and were saved. This Scripture refers to Christians that marry!
It is the Lord who said "let not the wife depart from the husband".
Mat 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
Mat 19:5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
Mat 19:6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
And Jesus had confirmed that marriage had been ordained of God from the beginning of Creation!
Gen 2:21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
Gen 2:22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Gen 2:23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
The idea of these things is that God himself had said that the marriage bond of one man and one woman would be until their death!
Adam lived over 800 years and was married to only one wife, who was Eve!
Jesus later said that only for the act of fornication, which includes adultery, should any divorce be granted!
Mat 19:9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.
There should never be any irreconcilable differences between two Christians!
The Bible plainly states two Christians that know the Lord should be able to work out any differences that come up in their marriage, if they truly love the Lord and love each other!
We should also remember we are all sinners and the Lord took our place on the cross to redeem us from all sin!
We must do the very best to follow the Word of God, and repent of all our sin!
*****1Co 7:12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
1Co 7:13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
1Co 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
Again Paul is claiming the inspiration of the Holy Spirit on things that were not directly addressed by the Lord.
These things are going to happen where just one in a family may become Christian and not the other.
In the time of Ezra when the Jews were returning from Babylon, God commanded the Jews to put away all wives who were not Jews. These things were under the laws of Moses.
Now in the time of "Grace" there are to be no marriages between a Christian and a non-Christian but those that come to know the Lord after marriage are to remain married it at all possible.
Verse 14 explains the reasons why!
In other words, that bond of marriage is still holy in the eyes of God but is does not mean that salvation can come based on the that Christian!
*****1Co 7:15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
1Co 7:16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
If that non-Christian wishes to be separated from that Christian then it is not to be treated as sin and either one, man or woman are free to remarry, but that Christian only to another Christian.
If the unbelieving wife or husband chooses to leave the relationship, there is nothing else that the believer can do!
The Christian spouse may remain unmarried as long as there be any possibility of reconciliation but they are not under bondage, no longer bound by God's law to remain with that one who left!
This is similar to the law that when one partner dies the other is no longer bound by the marriage vows!
Rom 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
Rom 7:3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
*****1Co 7:17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
The Christian life is a divine calling of God! We are to live according to the Word of God. Only then can we be true witnesses for the Lord!
God has a purpose for each of us and He calls on us to fulfill that purpose!
Unless God calls us specifically to do other wise, we should remain in the same calling as our previous life was spent.
There is a reason we live where we live and work where we work and that is our missionary field unless God tells us to change or opens a door to another ministry.
The only difference is, that we are to stay in our calling with God the Holy Spirit living within us and following His lead!
Our life is to be for Christ Jesus, in Him, with Him, and for Him!
If we are single we are to work for God!
If we are married we are to work for God!
If we are divorced we are to work for God!
If we remarry we are to work for God!
We are where we are, because God has chosen to place us in that position!
Christianity was never intended to introduce a violent revolutionary element into society but certainly to bring peace to a violent world!
Some examples are:
*****1Co 7:18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
1Co 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
1Co 7:20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
Many Jews who became Christians became ashamed of Judaism and desired to remove the outward signs of it.
The Apostle Paul taught that once a Jew converted to Christianity he should not abandon the customs of his nation.
There is no shame in being a Jew! In Fact There is no shame for a Christian in any nationality!
Red, yellow, black and white, we are all precious in His sight!
We are all to keep the written Word of God as our guide of life!
Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Gal 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
If you are a Christian then you are the true children of Abraham!
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
When we are Christian, then we need to act like Christians rather than act like the world acts!
*****1Co 7:21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
1Co 7:22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
A Christian is someone who after salvation succeeds in applying the principles of the Word of God to his daily life, and uses his place in society, no matter what it is, in a Christ-like spirit.
We should not consider slavery as we know it but look at slavery at the time of Paul!
Slaves abounded in Greece and in every part of the pagan world!
Grecians did not care for manual labor and had slaves to do that work!
Many slaves who had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ then also felt they should no longer submit to their masters.
It is true that slavery in most cases is very cruel, oppressive, and unjust but in that day many slaves had sold themselves into slavery in order to better themselves!
Christians should do their best to preserve the peace and not become disorderly.
God simply says be content where God has placed you, use your position to reach out to those that do not know the Lord.
We must never allow our circumstances to diminish our Christian spirit!
If freedom is to happen, God will make a way but we are already God's freemen because we have been redeemed from the bondage of Satan!
We are all to suffer persecution and it still does not make the oppression of a master right or just, but we are all justified in the eyes of God that know the Lord!
This does not mean that a slave should not desire freedom if it can be obtained in a legal fashion, keeping in mind we are never to dishonor Jesus Christ under any conditions!
Slavery is certainly evil but each man or woman of God must be patient and allow God to do what He does best, as He will provide all our needs in every circumstance!
For those who do not know, slavery is even more rampant today than it has ever been throughout known history but you do not ever see this fact in the news or mentioned by governments.
Even the United Nations does not mention this fact!
In the eyes of God, all that are called and accept the Lord Jesus as our Savior are already God's freemen!
We are all made free from "condemnation"!
Remember the "wages of sin" are death!
We were all once slaves to sin but are now liberated!
Freedom from the bondage of sin, is the greatest blessing we can receive at the hand of God!
We are Christ Jesus servants only to the extent that we are to obey the Word of God!
He is now our Master and He has given us all the same commands to follow!
We all stand on level ground at the cross of Jesus no matter the conditions of our past life!
*****1Co 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
1Co 7:24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
The price for all our freedom was the precious "blood of Jesus Christ"!
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
There is no other price that can purchase our freedom from Satan's bondage other than the blood of Jesus!
No matter our position in life we are to be servants of God!
Even in what the world calls slavery, the Christian slave has absolute liberty in the eyes of God!
The key is, to abide in God and doing service as to the Lord!
Eph 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Eph 6:6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Eph 6:7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
Eph 6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
*****1Co 7:25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
1Co 7:26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
Again we should not forget Paul is answering questions that were sent to him in a letter from these church members.
It is true that the Lord Jesus did not directly address virgins but the Bible is specific when it says we are to avoid "fornication"!
Virgins used in this verse mean both the male and the female.
Here we are reminded that in the days of the Apostle Paul, there where great famines everywhere and it was simply not a good time to start a marriage.
Most of us parents and grandparents today know how evil this world is getting, and we know it is simply hard for a newly wed couple to survive in a relationship at this time while the future of this world looks so bleak!
This is the same thing that Paul was saying!
In fact Jesus said these things as we approach the end times:
Luk 23:28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
Luk 23:29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
And Paul continues:
*****1Co 7:27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
Paul was simply saying that in that day with all those famines, and the Christian persecution was on the rise, there was enough turmoil in the lives of these people there was no sense in adding to it.
Jesus said:
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
BUT, Biblical marriage is never a sin!
*****1Co 7:28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
Again Paul is just saying under the political conditions of that day, it would be even harder to have a Christian marriage.
Paul said "I only desire to spare you from adding great distress into your life that could cause a marriage to fail through no fault of your own!
*****1Co 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
1Co 7:30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
1Co 7:31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
First, our time is so short that we have to serve the Lord, we need to put off all things that are simply a waste of that precious time!
Second, Christian persecution was on the rise in the days of the Apostle Paul as it is now!
Third, The time is short before the Second Coming of Christ!
Peter preached the same message:
1Pe 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
It is a fact at the Rapture of the Church there will be no such thing as husbands and wives, for we will all be as the Angels!
We must understand the Scriptures!
Mar 12:24 And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?
Mar 12:25 For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.
Mar 12:26 And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?
Mar 12:27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
We should be rejoicing that the time is so short and not be agonizing about it!
2Co 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
And we should all remember the words of our Lord!
Luk 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.
Luk 17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.
Luk 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
Luk 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
Luk 17:30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.
We would be blind not see how the world is getting more like the days of Noah every moment that passes!
We must spiritually detach our selves from this world, because the fashion of this world is passing away every tick of the clock!
Paul points out that every decision we make in this time that is so short, should relate to our service in the work of the Lord!
And then Paul returns to answering those questions on marriage because marriage is a big step to take for everyone to consider!
*****1Co 7:32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
1Co 7:33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
Paul is simply saying that when we allow the cares of this world overwhelm us, we will take our eyes off of the Lord!
Jesus put it like this:
Luk 21:32 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled.
Luk 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Luk 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Luk 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.
Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Jesus says to the generation who sees all these things happening, that generation will not pass away until all that He has said will be fulfilled!
We should understand that the Apostle Paul is not discouraging marriage!
Paul is just saying that there times when things are so bad, and the coming of the Lord is so imminent, and our time spent in the service of the Lord is so valuable, that maybe we should concentrate on those things!
Some can without sin and some cannot and they marry, but all without sin!
Paul has already stated that one is no holier than the other!
What is the greatest difference between the single person and the married person?
*****1Co 7:34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
If we remember the story of Mary and Martha, then Paul is suggesting that the married wife would be more like Martha than like Mary.
Luk 10:38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
Luk 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
Luk 10:40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Luk 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
The most important thing in all our lives should be to be sitting at the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ!
*****1Co 7:35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
1Co 7:36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
One of the biggest problems in lasting marriages, is that neither the husband nor the wife really took the time to get to know each other!
It is also a fact that we should never make major decisions until we are firm in our relation with the Lord!
Paul has been speaking to "babes in Christ" throughout this epistle and Paul is saying slow down, get right with God first, then these other decisions will be easier to make!
Paul said he was not trying to put a stumbling block in front of any of them!
We can profit more in the Lord, than from any situation that this world has to offer!
In the days of the Apostle Paul, most marriages were arranged by the father of the bride and most of those daughters were wedded by a certain age usually before the age 0f 20, in order to insure her virginity.
If a father held his daughter out of marriage it could create scandal and sin for that daughter.
It is always hard for most fathers to approve of the one who is to wed that daughter but as we know, young lovers do things that parents do not approve of, and it may be best to allow the marriage, to avoid sin in their lives and turn them away from the Lord!
*****1Co 7:37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
1Co 7:38 So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
If that daughter simply did not want to marry and remain a virgin, then that parent was to have no cause to force the issue.
The authority of the parent in that day was great but parents certainly have no right to force a marriage that benefits the family more than it was a benefit to that child!
The freedom to wed, must remain with the child and follow the Word of God as best they can!
To give her in marriage would be good, but Paul says in the distresses of that time it may better if she remained free from marriage.
What is the truth of Scriptures?
*****1Co 7:39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
1Co 7:40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
The Bible is specific, the second marriage of a Christian widow if it happens at all, should be to another Christian.
Rom 7:2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
Those that remain single after the death of their husband can still be happy in the Lord.
Paul said we all have our opinions, but these he has spoken about were inspired by the Holy Spirit of God.
We must know that all Scripture was inspired by God through the Holy Spirit!
Those that despise what Paul has written about marriage, then despise the God that gave Paul these words!
1Th 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
1Th 4:8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
Questions?
Let's Pray!
