Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample

Maranatha Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-40 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to. 1 Corinthians 7:24 The two items Paul takes up in this chapter are matters related to marriage (divorce, marriage, and second marriages). Paul is dealing with the pressure within the Corinthian church to dissolve marriage or abstain from it. The mistaken belief was that people who are ‘spiritual’ do not have fleshly needs ( if you are married, abstain from sexual relations; if that is difficult go for a divorce). This continues to show how deeply the church had misunderstood the meaning of true spirituality. In matters related to marriage, Paul’s central message is: ‘Stay-as-you-are’ (while allowing for exceptions in each case); therefore, to the married, stay married (vs 1-7, vs 10-16); to the unmarried, it is good to stay single (vs 8-9, vs 25-38); to married women and to widows, stay as you are (vs 39-40). Paul is aware of the reality and urgency of the end-times. But more importantly, Paul’s main concern is that believers faithfully live out our calling in whatever situation we find ourselves in, while we await Christ’s return. What matters is that we are faithful in service and stewardship to what God has given us and where He has placed us. The seeking of any other position, power and possessions, is ultimately irrelevant with God, and useless before Him.