1 Corinthians 7
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-Introduction
-Tonight, we’re going to focus on a passage that is often times misunderstood &/or misapplied.
-There are a number of passages that could fit within that statement, i.e. Matt. 24, Matt. 7:1-5,
apocalyptic/figurative passages such as Revelation, Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah.
-Tonight’s passage – 1 Corinthians 7.
-Background
-Corinthian congregation – established by Paul during his 2ndmissionary journey – Acts 18
-ongoing correspondence/communication between Paul and the Corinthians (i.e. 1 Cor. 5:9)
-While Paul was at Ephesus during his 3rdmissionary journey (Acts 19), he received a report from
the household of Chloe (1 Cor. 1:11) regarding some of the problems unfolding in Corinth. In
1 Cor. 7:1, Paul references questions asked of him by the Corinthians – either as a part of the
report from Chloe’s house or in a separate letter. In 1 Corinthians 16:17, Paul references three men
who came to him from Corinth. They could have expounded on these things.
-The Vast Importance of Context
-1 Corinthians 7 provides a good example of the importance of properly understanding the context.
-specific context (statement itself), near context (info. immediately preceding or following), remote
context (additional, related information within scripture)
-Celibacy - 1 Corinthians 7:1-9
-Paul addresses some questions about celibacy and advises the unmarried Corinthians to remain single
(vs 1, 6-7, 8). Notice the specific context of vs 6 – “now as a concession” (opinion, advice)
-1 Corinthians 7:10-11 – Paul was not speaking against marriage. He was advising the Christians to
remain single; but, if they could not avoid sinning they were to go ahead and marry (vs 2, 9).
-vs 10– He was instructing (actually the Lord instructed) the married to remain together.
-Marriages Between Christians & Non-Christians - 1 Corinthians 7:12-16
-Evidently the Corinthian brethren had questions/concerns about marriages with non-Christians.
-Some who had obeyed the Gospel had a spouse who had not. Was this ok? Was it acceptable in the
sight of God? Were such marriages allowable? The short answer: yes.
-The hope: The Christian spouse could provide an influence of holiness which would impact
the spouse and children. Hopefully, the good influence would help convert the
non-Christian.
-The fear: The non-Christian (especially in the case of the husband) may try to prevent or
hinder the Christian from continuing in faithfulness. If the spouse issued an
ultimatum (“Depart from the faith or I’m leaving”), the Christian was to side with
Christ and would not be “enslaved” (ESV) to follow the spouse.
-Notice, re-marriage is not in the specific or near context. That’s not what this passage is
about. Therefore, one would have to consult the remote context (passages such as
Matt. 19:1-12, Matt. 5:31-32) regarding marriage, divorce and re-marriage.
-Remain as You Were Called – 1 Corinthians 7:20-24
-The ideas expressed by Paul in these verses have been misunderstood and misapplied in a way that
attempts to justify deviant/unauthorized lifestyles.
-Based on these verses, some have tried to say that a person’s past/current situations no longer matter
when becoming a Christian.
-“So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God” (vs 24). This
cannot be applied in a way that would violate the remote context regarding other matters.
-Two contradictory statements cannot both be simultaneously true when used in the same sense.
-The things written by Paul obviously do not negate the necessity of repentance.
-example of homosexuality
-So, a person who was married when they became a Christian –remain married. A person who was
single…Paul advises him/her to remain single but has the right to marry.
-examples of circumcision, servant/free, etc. – The Christians would not have to change situations
circumstances that did not violate God’s word.
-To the Engaged – 1 Corinthians 7:26-38
-So, what if Christians at Corinth were engaged to be married? Paul advises them to remain single but,
if they cannot avoid sin, go ahead and marry.
-It is in this section that we find an extremely importance verse necessary for a proper understanding.
-vs 26– “for the present [“or impending” – ESV fn] distress”
-Now notice verses 34-35. This is why Paul advised them to remain single – to strengthen their
devotion to the Lord in view of the present/impending distress.
-Final Comments Regarding Marriage – 1 Corinthians 7:39-40
-Follows the same pattern as the rest of the chapter.
-Closing and Invitation
-Probably the biggest “controversies” that come from 1 Corinthians 7 involve verses 15 – “the brother or
sister is not enslaved” and 20 – “Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.
-Some have presented these verses in such a way that would negate proper repentance when
necessary.
-Yet, when considered in the proper context (specific, near, remote), the accurate meanings
become clear.
-And, that’s what we are trying to do when we read and study the word – 2 Tim. 2:15 – so that we can
understand and obey the will of God.
-Invitation
<Return to Sermon Outlines>
-Introduction
-Tonight, we’re going to focus on a passage that is often times misunderstood &/or misapplied.
-There are a number of passages that could fit within that statement, i.e. Matt. 24, Matt. 7:1-5,
apocalyptic/figurative passages such as Revelation, Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah.
-Tonight’s passage – 1 Corinthians 7.
-Background
-Corinthian congregation – established by Paul during his 2ndmissionary journey – Acts 18
-ongoing correspondence/communication between Paul and the Corinthians (i.e. 1 Cor. 5:9)
-While Paul was at Ephesus during his 3rdmissionary journey (Acts 19), he received a report from
the household of Chloe (1 Cor. 1:11) regarding some of the problems unfolding in Corinth. In
1 Cor. 7:1, Paul references questions asked of him by the Corinthians – either as a part of the
report from Chloe’s house or in a separate letter. In 1 Corinthians 16:17, Paul references three men
who came to him from Corinth. They could have expounded on these things.
-The Vast Importance of Context
-1 Corinthians 7 provides a good example of the importance of properly understanding the context.
-specific context (statement itself), near context (info. immediately preceding or following), remote
context (additional, related information within scripture)
-Celibacy - 1 Corinthians 7:1-9
-Paul addresses some questions about celibacy and advises the unmarried Corinthians to remain single
(vs 1, 6-7, 8). Notice the specific context of vs 6 – “now as a concession” (opinion, advice)
-1 Corinthians 7:10-11 – Paul was not speaking against marriage. He was advising the Christians to
remain single; but, if they could not avoid sinning they were to go ahead and marry (vs 2, 9).
-vs 10– He was instructing (actually the Lord instructed) the married to remain together.
-Marriages Between Christians & Non-Christians - 1 Corinthians 7:12-16
-Evidently the Corinthian brethren had questions/concerns about marriages with non-Christians.
-Some who had obeyed the Gospel had a spouse who had not. Was this ok? Was it acceptable in the
sight of God? Were such marriages allowable? The short answer: yes.
-The hope: The Christian spouse could provide an influence of holiness which would impact
the spouse and children. Hopefully, the good influence would help convert the
non-Christian.
-The fear: The non-Christian (especially in the case of the husband) may try to prevent or
hinder the Christian from continuing in faithfulness. If the spouse issued an
ultimatum (“Depart from the faith or I’m leaving”), the Christian was to side with
Christ and would not be “enslaved” (ESV) to follow the spouse.
-Notice, re-marriage is not in the specific or near context. That’s not what this passage is
about. Therefore, one would have to consult the remote context (passages such as
Matt. 19:1-12, Matt. 5:31-32) regarding marriage, divorce and re-marriage.
-Remain as You Were Called – 1 Corinthians 7:20-24
-The ideas expressed by Paul in these verses have been misunderstood and misapplied in a way that
attempts to justify deviant/unauthorized lifestyles.
-Based on these verses, some have tried to say that a person’s past/current situations no longer matter
when becoming a Christian.
-“So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God” (vs 24). This
cannot be applied in a way that would violate the remote context regarding other matters.
-Two contradictory statements cannot both be simultaneously true when used in the same sense.
-The things written by Paul obviously do not negate the necessity of repentance.
-example of homosexuality
-So, a person who was married when they became a Christian –remain married. A person who was
single…Paul advises him/her to remain single but has the right to marry.
-examples of circumcision, servant/free, etc. – The Christians would not have to change situations
circumstances that did not violate God’s word.
-To the Engaged – 1 Corinthians 7:26-38
-So, what if Christians at Corinth were engaged to be married? Paul advises them to remain single but,
if they cannot avoid sin, go ahead and marry.
-It is in this section that we find an extremely importance verse necessary for a proper understanding.
-vs 26– “for the present [“or impending” – ESV fn] distress”
-Now notice verses 34-35. This is why Paul advised them to remain single – to strengthen their
devotion to the Lord in view of the present/impending distress.
-Final Comments Regarding Marriage – 1 Corinthians 7:39-40
-Follows the same pattern as the rest of the chapter.
-Closing and Invitation
-Probably the biggest “controversies” that come from 1 Corinthians 7 involve verses 15 – “the brother or
sister is not enslaved” and 20 – “Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.
-Some have presented these verses in such a way that would negate proper repentance when
necessary.
-Yet, when considered in the proper context (specific, near, remote), the accurate meanings
become clear.
-And, that’s what we are trying to do when we read and study the word – 2 Tim. 2:15 – so that we can
understand and obey the will of God.
-Invitation
<Return to Sermon Outlines>
