ESOCS Devotional 18 January 2022
TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 7:1-24
MEMORY VERSE:
“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. Is any man called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. Let everyman abide in the same calling wherein he was called.” 1Corinthians 7:17-20 KJV
The material that Apostle Paul gives in the Bible text of today is challenging to understand, if we read into the context our preconceived ideas. Bible students have disagreed over portions of this chapter for many years because they have come to the content of this material with ideas that would have not been known by the Corinthians who were the first recipients of this letter. It would be of help to understand this material if we can place ourselves in the historical situation in which the Corinthian church was at the time the letter was written and received. They had been converted from a manner of life. That was based on idolatrous beliefs that were contrary to the word of God (1 Cor. 6:11). They were in times of distress, though Paul did not go into detail concerning the exact nature of the distress (1Cor. 7:26). With these thoughts in mind, we must allow this text to state what it means from our objective reading of the material almost two thousand years removed from the events that were taking place in Corinth.
Paul’s advice to remain celibate (not marrying) must be understood in the context of the persecution the Christians were enduring at that time and would endure during the tyrannical rule of Nero who eventually died in A.D 68 (I Cor. 7:8, 26). Therefore, Paul was not establishing celibacy as a commandment of God, but as his own advice. The Corinthians had the freedom to accept or reject his advice. We must also keep in mind that, just like celibacy, marriage is an expediency, not a commandment. One choosing celibacy for the purpose of giving one’s entire life to kingdom business is an honourable purpose for which to give one’s life.
Men and women should marry to avoid the temptation or fornication, which will subsequently make them lose their souls (Rev. 21:8). In the beginning, God intended for people to marry and populate the world (Gen. 2:18). One should have only one mate for all his life (Matt. 19:3-9). To the unmarried widows, Paul advised that it was better to remain unmarried, but best to marry in order to prevent sexual immorality.
If living together in harmony was impossible, separation was allowable. In this case, the two partners must remain unmarried or else be joined together again in the marriage relationship.
The believer should not divorce the unbeliever. Not giving another exception for divorce, Paul advised that in case the unbeliever departs in order to live in an adulterous relationship, the believer can divorce the unbeliever on the ground of adultery (Matt. 19:9).
Throughout the New Testaments, there is neither commandment nor advice given that a Christian should take the initiative to break up a marriage relationship. Therefore, one must remain in the marital relationship he or she has at the time of conversion. However, this would not apply to a polygamist relationship since such a relationship in not a God ordained relationship of one man for one wife for life (1 Tim. 3:2; 1 Tim. 3:12; Titus 1:6). In the normal marriage relationship, each partner should carry out their obligation towards each other accordingly. It is of great importance to know that what is important as a Christian is not changing one’s marital situation, but obeying the will of God. (John 14:15; John 15:14; 1 John 2:3; 1 John 3:24; 1 John 5:2
- Examine your status (Married or unmarried), whether God is happy with you concerning your activities.
- Pray for God’s grace to please Him with your position in life.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 66:1-2; 45:18-256:12-20
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ESOCS Devotional 18 January 2022
