Grace Bible Church

4000 E. Collins Rd. P.O. Box #3762 Gillette, WY 82717 (307) 686-1516

“Preaching the Living Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)”

DEALING WITH CORINTHIAN QUESTIONS:

(Celibacy, Marriage, and Divorce)

1Co 7:17-24 (9/7/11)

Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming

Pastor Daryl Hilbert

I. NO MARITAL CELIBACY (1-6)

II. THE GIFT OF CELIBACY (7-9)

III. DIVORCE IS NOT AN OPTION BETWEEN TWO BELIEVERS (10-11)

IV. DIVORCE IS PERMITTED NOT REEQUIRED BETWEEN UNEQUALLY YOKED (12-16)

V. REMAIN IN YOUR CALLING (17-23)

A. Remain in Your Social Calling (17-19)

1. The Corinthians not only had questions but had problems with many issues. It does not surprise us that the Corinthians needed to be grounded and balanced in their Christian lives. Those who were married thought it would be more spiritual to live in marital celibacy. Those who did not have the gift of celibacy thought it was more spiritual to possess it. Those whose spouses were unbelievers thought they should divorce their spouse and find a saved spouse. Paul’s basic response is going to be “Remain in whatever calling you are” (17, 24, and 26). This principle will answer these questions and a whole lot more.

2. [1Co 7:17] - Paul states the principle first in verse 17. This was a general principle that would cover the majority of circumstances and would generally apply to all churches.

a) The Lord is sovereign and divinely “assigns” (aor. act. meri,zō - apportion and distribute) the events surrounding our lives. Therefore, there is no urgency to change everything externally in our lives as long as it is not unbiblical.

b) Furthermore, we must “keep on walking” (pres. imperative) in the calling and in the status to which the Lord “called.” “Called” usually refers to the divine calling of salvation, which would certainly be included in the idea of calling here. However, the context warrants a broader meaning of calling in reference to the events and situations in one’s life. Paul personally was giving out these directives to all churches.

c) This would not apply to a calling to ministry which happens after salvation and not before. However, a call to ministry should not change external relationships.

3. [1Co 7:18] - Paul gives an illustration of externals that should not be changed such as circumcision or circumcision.

a) There were some Jews who were embarrassed about their circumcision and attempted to remove the marks of circumcision or did away with the practice altogether (1 Maccabees 1:15). If a Jew came to Christ, he should not seek to reverse his circumcision.

b) Some false teachers known as Judaizers insisted on circumcision for Gentiles (cf. Act 15:1–5; Gal 3:1–3; 5:1). If a Gentile came to Christ, he did not need to be circumcised.

c) Paul states that they should remain in whatever situation they find themselves when they are saved. Note that Timothy was both Jewish and Greek and that it was better for his ministry to the Jews to be circumcised (Act 16:1, 3). Titus, however, never was compelled to be circumcised (Gal 2:3).

4. [1Co 7:19] - Paul goes on to explain that these outward things do not make a person more or less spiritual.

a) Paul explained that circumcision or uncircumcision were “nothing” (oudeis - worth nothing, meaningless) as far as making someone spiritual.

b) What makes a person spiritual is the evidence of faith and obedience (noun, “to keep” tê,rêsis) to God’s Word (lit. “God’s commandments - entolai.).

B. Remain in Your Vocational Calling (20-24)

1. [1Co 7:20] - Paul reiterates the same principle again and applies it to vocational calling (NASB “condition” is klêsis - calling).

2. [1Co 7:21] - If they were called and saved while a slave, they were to remain in that vocational calling and were not worry about it (pres. imper. - meletō - take no care or never mind it). However, Paul does open the door that if freedom is possible, they were permitted to do so. But if it was unobtainable, they were not to worry about it.

3. [1Co 7:22] - Ultimately, every believer who was a slave, was in essence a “freedman” (apeleutheros - be free from something, i.e. not a slave). While at the same time, every believer who is not a slave (eleutheros) is a slave of the Lord (genitive - Christou).

4. [1Co 7:23-24] - Just like slaves in the market place, believers were bought with a price.

a) However, believers were bought with the blood of Christ (1Co 6:20; 1Pe 1:18-19; Rev 5:9).

b) Not only was the believing sinner saved, he became the possession of the Lord. The Lord now becomes the Master of the believer.

c) The believer is to live accordingly as a slave to the wishes of the Master who paid with His own blood. Furthermore, the believer is not to be the slave of men.

d) Paul concludes with his main principle (26). Here the word “remain” (pres. imper. - menō to remain or abide) is a strong directive to remain in the situation to which God has called him.