We've taken a little break from 1 Corinthians, and after getting back into 1 Corinthians 7, I remember why.
This is a hard chapter. Paul has one argument running through the length of chapter 7. There's a thread, that's woven through its whole length. But the chapter is too long, and too unwieldy, to try to grab it all at once, and teach it all at once. But I didn't want to risk fragmenting it, either. I got stuck, which is why I think I left it.
For this week, I think I'm just going to risk fragmenting it. Let's start today by rereading last week's passage, 1 Corinthians 7:1-16. And then we will push ahead only as far as verse 24. There's something in this passage that addresses a constant concern among Christians--something that I think there's a lot of bad thinking about-- and I'd like to take the time to try to address it.
(1) Now, concerning the things which you wrote, "[it is] good for a man a woman/wife not to touch."
(2) Now, because of sexual immorality, each man his own woman/wife must have,
and each woman/wife her own husband must have.
(3) To his woman/wife the husband his obligation must fulfill.
Now, likewise, also the woman/wife to her husband.
(4) The wife of her own body does not have authority over,
but her husband.
Now, likewise, also the husband of his own body doesn't have authority over,
but his wife.
(5) Do not defraud/deprive one another, except only perhaps by agreement for a time,
in order that you may devote yourselves to prayer,
and (then) again together you should be,
in order that the adversary/Satan may not test you because of your lack of self-control.
(6) Now, this I say as a concession, not as a command.
(7) Now, I wish all men/people could be like even myself,
but each one his own grace/favor/gift he has from God--
on the one hand, one in this way,
on the other hand, one in that way.
(8) Now, I say to the unmarried and to the widows, [it is] good for them if they remain as I am.
(9) Now, if they aren't controlling themselves, they must marry.
For better it is to marry than to be burning.
(10) Now, to the married I command-- not I, but the Lord-- a wife from her husband must not separate.
(11) Now, if indeed she separates, she must remain unmarried
or to her husband be reconciled,
and a husband [his] wife must not divorce.
(12) Now, to the rest I say-- I, not the Lord--
if any brother an unbelieving wife has,
and she agrees/consents to live with him, he must not divorce her,
(13) and a wife, if any has an unbelieving husband,
and he agrees/consents to live with her, she must not divorce her husband.
For the unbelieving husband is dedicated/sanctified/made holy by his wife,
and the unbelieving wife is dedicated/sanctified/made holy by the brother.
Since otherwise, your children unclean they are.
Now, currently holy they are.
(15) Now, if the unbelieving one separates, let him separate.
The brother or the sister hasn't been enslaved in such cases.
Now, in peace God has called us.
(16) For, how do you know, wife, if your husband you will save?
Or, how do you know, husband, if your wife you will save?
So, up to this point, Paul has been talking about "touching," mostly within the context of singleness, marriage, and divorce. We have married people in Corinth wondering if they should divorce. We have married people wondering if "touching" is unnecessary. And we have single people who are wondering if they should marry. These questions are some of life's biggest, right? Do I marry? Do I stay single? Do I divorce my spouse, if they aren't a believer, and life is hard?
Paul's response to these questions, is based on three underlying, guiding principles.
The first is that sexual immorality is a terrible sin.
Sexual immorality will keep you from inheriting God's kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). It will separate you from Jesus (1 Corinthians 6:15). Whatever decision you make about marriage and singleness has to start from an understanding of the dangers of sexual immorality.
The second guiding idea underneath all of this is this: God has given some people the grace of marriage, while to others he has given the grace of singleness (1 Corinthians 7:7). And people who resist the grace of marriage, when that's how God has made them, are miserable. They burn with desire; they find themselves ensnared in sexual immorality.
The third guiding idea is that marriage creates a bond between one man and one woman that should not be undone, as long as both of you live. Marriage is for life. The only exception to this, is if your spouse isn't a believer-- they didn't convert with you, when you did-- and your spouse wants out of the marriage.
With this, we come to verses 17-24. English Bibles mark off this section with a big heading, and white space, that separate it out from the first 16 verses. But Paul isn't talking about something different here. What Paul does in these verses, is strengthen his overall argument by pointing to the broader advice he gives people when they become Christians. When you read these verses, you should understand that Paul is still talking about marriage, singleness, and divorce.
Let's read the whole thing, to get a feel for it, and then I'll unpack it:
(17) Only , each one, as the Lord has apportioned--each one as God has called-- thus/in this way he must walk/live,
and thus/in this way in all the churches I arrange/order.
(18) Being circumcised, was anyone called? He must not undo his circumcision.
In uncircumcision, was anyone called? He must not become circumcised.
(19) Circumcision nothing it is, and uncircumcision nothing it is,
but keeping of God's commandments.
(20) Each one in the calling in which he was called, in this he must remain.
(21) A slave, were you called?
It must not be a concern to you,
but if indeed you are able free to become, rather, make use of it.
(22) For in the Lord, the one being called a slave, the Lord's freeperson he is.
Likewise, the one being called free, Christ's slave he is.
(23) At a price you were bought.
Don't become slaves of people.
(24) Each one in which he was called, brothers, in this he must remain with God.
When people give their loyalty to God, they find themselves reexamining every part of their life. How should I live, now that I have submitted to King Jesus? What needs to change? What can stay the same?
The command Paul gives to new converts, essentially, is this: "Stay in the calling, or position, in which you were when God called you." Let's reread verses 17-20:
(17) Only, each one, as the Lord has apportioned--each one as God has called-- thus/in this way he must walk/live,
and thus/in this way in all the churches I arrange/order.
(18) Being circumcised, was anyone called? He must not undo his circumcision.
In uncircumcision, was anyone called? He must not become circumcised.
(19) Circumcision nothing it is, and uncircumcision nothing it is,
but keeping of God's commandments.
(20) Each one in the calling in which he was called, in this he must remain.
You are perfectly able to serve God in whatever position you have in life-- whether you are single, or married. Whether you are circumcised, or uncircumcised. None of those things matter. What does matter? Let's reread verse 19:
(19) Circumcision nothing it is, and uncircumcision nothing it is,
but [the] keeping of God's commandments.
This would be a great verse to memorize. What matters? Keeping God's commands. That's the important thing. Do what God wants you to do. Obey Him. Love God; love people.
With this, we come to verse 21. And this verse, for well over a thousand years, has been read as saying two completely opposite things.
If you look at your handout, I tried to show you both of the possibilities.
(21) A slave, were you called?
It must not be a concern to you,
but even if you are able free to become, rather, make use of it (=your slavery). (NRSV).
(21) A slave, were you called?
It must not be a concern to you,
but if indeed you are able to become free, by all means make use of it (=the opportunity). (NIV, ESV, NLT).
I wish I could tell you that the choice was a simple one, and that the Greek isn't really open to both options. But it is. Greek doesn't actually help. Which is part of why it's been debated forever.
Now, I'm going to tell you what I think. But I'm going to be upfront with you. I've changed my mind on this three times. So if I'd been on a deadline, and forced to teach this, what you would've heard would've depended on which day of the week I taught. But I'm confident in saying, that there's at least a 50% chance I'm right.
So what I've decided is that the ESV/NIV/NLT is right. And the main reason for this has to do with the "if."
Throughout chapter 7, Paul has consistently used "if" to introduce exceptions to his command to remain in the calling in which you were called.
Let's look at 1 Cor. 7:8:
(8) Now, I say to the unmarried and to the widows, [it is] good for them if they remain as I am.
Paul then continues with an "if," that puts an exception on it:
(9) Now, if they aren't controlling themselves, they must marry.
For better it is to marry than to be burning.
Verse 10:
(10) Now, to the married I command-- not I, but the Lord-- a wife from her husband must not separate.
Then, here's the "if" where Paul qualifies it:
(11) Now, if indeed she separates, she must remain unmarried
or to her husband be reconciled,
and a husband [his] wife must not divorce.
Verses 12-14:
(12) Now, to the rest I say-- I, not the Lord--
if any brother an unbelieving wife has,
and she agrees/consents to live with him, he must not divorce her,
(13) and a wife, if any has an unbelieving husband,
and he agrees/consents to live with her, she must not divorce her husband.
For the unbelieving husband is dedicated/sanctified/made holy by his wife,
and the unbelieving wife is dedicated/sanctified/made holy by the brother.
Since otherwise, your children unclean they are.
Now, currently holy they are.
Then the "if" in verse 15:
(15) Now, if the unbelieving one separates, let him separate.
The brother or the sister hasn't been enslaved in such cases.
Verse 27:
(27) Are you bound to a wife? Don't seek release.
Are you released from a wife? Don't seek a wife.
Then, the "if" in verse 28:
(28) Now, if you marry, you didn't sin,
and if the female virgin marries, she didn't sin.
So I think the most likely reading, is that the "if" Paul adds about slavery introduces an exception to his command, that everyone must remain in their current position:
(21) A slave, were you called?
It must not be a concern to you,
but if indeed you are able to become free, by all means make use of it (=the opportunity). (NIV, ESV, NLT).
Imagine that you are a new Christian, fully committed to serving King Jesus. You live for him; you want nothing more than to please him. But you're a slave. That would feel crippling, right? You want to do so much, but your slavery keeps you from doing much of anything.
Paul says, don't let your slavery concern you. I mean, if you get can get out of slavery, by all means, do so. But don't feel like your slavery will keep you from serving God.
Why?
Paul strengthens his argument in verse 22:
(22) For in the Lord, the one being called a slave, the Lord's freeperson he is.
Likewise, the one being called free, Christ's slave he is.
You may be a slave according to the flesh, but in the Lord, you are the Lord's freeperson. You are actually in a higher position in Christ, than anyone else. The rest of us are the Lord's slaves-- but you are free. So don't let your slavery concern you. Understand that you have a uniquely high position in Jesus. You are blessed in a way that the rest of us are not.
Now, if you actually trusted Paul in this, are you better off as a slave? Should free people become slaves then?
Paul continues, in verse 23:
(23) At a price you were bought.
Don't become slaves of people.
Jesus purchased you through his blood. You belong to his; he is your Lord/Master. So don't sell yourself into slavery.
We hear this, and we think, why would anyone do this? In the Roman empire, there were maybe two reasons why people would willingly sell themselves into slavery. The first would be if you are starving to death. Rome wasn't a socialist government. There were no food stamps, no section 8 housing, no government assistance. You either worked enough to pay for what you needed, or you died. If you were unable to provide for yourself, or your family, what choices did you have? You either moved to a place where there were better opportunities, or you sold yourself as a slave to a wealthy master. It's better to be a live slave, than a dead freeperson. And slavery in the Roman empire, for what's it worth, didn't necessarily look anything like what we picture it. We shouldn't directly read U.S. slavery into the passage.
Now, Corinth, around the time that Paul wrote, suffered three severe famines. Let's skip down to 7:26: 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.
Most people think that Paul is referring to one of the famines here. When it's hard to put food on the table, it's tempting to sell yourself as a slave to someone, especially if you know they are a decent human being.
Now, the second reason you might sell yourself as a slave was that in the Roman empire, this could be a means of advancing yourself. If you could become attached to a wealthy, powerful person, and work your way up through loyal service, you could end up with a very nice life. Technically, you're a slave, to be sure. But you have far more responsibility, and blessings, than the average freeperson. You'd be much better off financially than tentmaker, for sure.
But Paul says, don't become a slave. Remain free.
He then concludes, in verse 24:
(24) Each one in which he was called, brothers, in this he must remain with God.
Although there are exceptions to nearly everything in chapter 7, the baseline of Paul's advice is this: stay in the calling you were in, when you became a Christian. Your position makes no difference to God. Don't think that God cares, whether you are a slave or free, single or married, circumcised or uncircumcised.
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So what do we do with this passage?
One of the marks of Western evangelical Christianity is its strong focus on finding God's will for your life. Christians are taught that God has given each one of you a unique calling in life, and your job is to find that calling. There's one job God wants you to do. There's one college (or technical school, or not), one spouse (or not), one place to live. And your responsibility as a Christian is to make sure you are living within God's will for all of those things. Dozens of books have been written on finding God's will.
Paul here says that all of these things are nothing. They don't matter. And, furthermore, none of these things should change, just because you are a Christian.
Verse 24:
(24) Each one in which he was called, brothers, in this he must remain with God.
It doesn't matter if you find yourself single or married. It doesn't matter if find yourself married to someone who didn't convert with you, and isn't a believer. it doesn't matter if you are a slave or free. Your job, where you live, what you do-- it doesn't matter. It makes no difference to God. God doesn't care.
What is it that God wants? What does God care about? Verse 19:
(19) Circumcision nothing it is, and uncircumcision nothing it is,
but keeping of God's commandments.
God's will for your life is that you keep his commandments. And when you read verses that talk about "God's will," you'll find that this is God's constant concern.
Romans 12:1-2:
12 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God-- what is good and acceptable and perfect.
If you have a renewed mind, you are able to test things in life, and understand what choices are good, and acceptable, and perfect. And the "testing" includes the idea of approving-- of doing it. So what does God want? What's his will? What God wants is all of you, completely yielded to him, doing what's right. God wants you to do the things that are good, and acceptable, and perfect. That's God's will for your life.
1 Thessalonians 4:1-8:
4 Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. 7 For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. 8 Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
If you ignore what God wants for you, as far as being dedicated/holy to him, and living a life pleasing to God, you are ignoring his Holy Spirit that God has given to you (1 Thess. 5:19, below).
1 Thessalonians 5:12-24
12 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
God's will for you is that you become sanctified-- dedicated-- completely. That you give yourself entirely to God, holding nothing back. That your whole being-- spirit, soul, and body, be blameless for the day that our Lord Jesus Christ returns. This is the goal toward which we strive. And it's to that goal, that God has given you his Holy Spirit. God doesn't give you this goal, and not help you. You are able to do this through his power.
Let's reread verse 23:
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We tend to think that will walk from sin to sin our entire lives. We will walk, heads down, ashamed at our slavery to sin. But Paul assumes, with God's help, that we will walk through life blameless. It's not that we will be blameless when Jesus comes, and fixes us. The idea is that we are kept blameless now, so that we are ready for his return. And again-- this is only possible through the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16).
So what is God's will for your life? Circumcision is nothing. Marriage is nothing. Slavery is nothing. Keeping God's commands is everything. And you will keep God's commands, as you are led by the Holy Spirit.
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Translation:
(17) Only , each one, as the Lord has apportioned--each one as God has called-- thus/in this way he must walk/live,
and thus/in this way in all the churches I arrange/order.
(18) Being circumcised, was anyone called? He must not undo his circumcision.
In uncircumcision, was anyone called? He must not become circumcised.
(19) Circumcision nothing it is, and uncircumcision nothing it is,
but keeping of God's commandments.
(20) Each one in the calling in which he was called, in this he must remain.
(21) A slave, were you called?
It must not be a concern to you,
but if indeed you are able free to become, by all means make use of it.
(22) For in the Lord, the one being called a slave, the Lord's freeperson he is.
Likewise, the one being called free, Christ's slave he is.
(23) At a price you were bought.
Don't become slaves of people.
(24) Each one in which he was called, brothers, in this he must remain with God.
