Read 1^st
Corinthians 7:1-9

Read through Ephesians 5:25-3. To whom does a married
person’s body belong? How should this
effect his or her sex life?

What is the difference between a concession and a
command? What does Paul say as a
concession, not as a command?

Was Paul married? How
did he feel about his marital status?

What reason does Paul give for marriage in this passage?

Should marriage be thought of as a gift from God? What about singleness? Do you see both marriage and singleness as
gifts?

Journaling

Background

Corinth
was still a young church, and many of its members accepted Christ as
adults. Some of the spouses of these new
believers also accepted Christ, but others did not. Religious differences can add tremendous
tension to a marriage. Some of the
Christians in Corinth
may have wandered whether they should leave their unbelieving spouses. In the previous verses Paul gives advice to
single Christians. In this section of
Scripture he instructs married believers.

Wrestling with the Text

Read 1^st
Corinthians 7:10-16

In verse 10 Paul clarifies, “not I, but the Lord.” In verse 12 he clarifies, “I, not the
Lord.” What is the significance of this
distinction?

What is Paul’s command (or rather, the Lord’s command) to
married Christians?

A Christian’s spouse and children are sanctified, even if
they don’t believe. What does this mean,
and what does it look like in everyday life?

What is Paul’s advice for a Christian whose unbelieving
spouse leaves? What reasons does he give
for this advice?

Journaling

Background

In the preceding section Paul encourages married
Christians to remain married, even if the marriage is difficult. He now expands this idea into a general rule
of thumb – stay in the life situation you were in when God called you. In today’s section Paul fleshes out this
principle.

Wrestling with the Text

Read 1^st
Corinthians 7:17-24

Looking at verse 17, how do you know what place in life the
Lord has assigned to you? Hint: consider
the example Paul gives in verse 18.

Paul lays out the principle that a person should stay in the
life situation he was in when God called him.
Does Paul give any exceptions to this principle?

Think through the life situations you find yourself in. How does the principle in this text apply to
you?

Journaling

Background

In yesterday’s text Paul introduces the principle of
remaining in the life situation you were in when God called you. He now applies that principle to singleness.

Wrestling with the Text

Read 1^st
Corinthians 7:25-31

What is the crisis to which Paul refers? Is the crisis something that has already
happened, something that is going to happen, or something that is taking place
as Paul writes?

Paul makes five parallel statements about how people should
relate to marriage, emotions and possessions.
Are these statements intended to apply only to his temporary and
immediate situation, or do they apply to us today?

How do Paul’s instructions in verses 3-5 fit with his charge
that, “those who have wives should live as if they had none?”

Paul makes the statement that the time is short. How does he relate this to marriage? Emotions?
Possessions?

Journaling

Background

Paul continues his discussion on singleness. This section expands on Paul’s plea not to be
distracted from Jesus by temporary things and applies it to the choice between
marriage and singleness.

Wrestling with the Text

Read 1^st
Corinthians 7:32-40

How can marriage make someone more concerned about the
affairs of this world?

Is it easier for someone who is single to be undivided in
his or her devotion to Jesus? Why or why
not?

Which is better, marriage or life long singleness?

For unmarried readers
only: Paul encourages the Christians in Corinth to weigh the benefits and challenges
of singleness and marriage. Too many
Christians dismiss this question without really chewing on it. Take some time
to consider which option is better for you.

Journaling

Chapter 7 begins with the mention of immorality in Corinth. To understand the immorality that the chapter
is addressing, read the previous section (6:12-20). In
chapter 6 Paul discusses the rampant problem with sexual immorality in the
church, involving such things as prostitution and incest. This discussion sets
the tone for the beginning of chapter 7 and helps put Paul’s allusion to
immorality in context.