Day 331, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Corinthians 7:1–11:1
Marriage, Divorce, Singleness, Christian Liberty and Responsibility
Should a person get married or stay single? Which is better? Is it okay to get divorced and remarried? How free am I to express my Christian liberty? What does the Bible say? In today’s Bible reading, Paul answers these questions for the Corinthians and for us.
Corinth was a city close to Athens, Greece. It had a bad reputation for idolatry and immorality. The Christ-followers in the Middle East, including Corinth, were under persecution for their faith. They were facing the constant threat of being killed or at least imprisoned. This was the context for Paul’s answers to their questions.
Should a person get married or stay single?
It depends on the circumstances. Are there severe threats in our community? How should Christians react when they might be imprisoned, tortured, or killed? This was the real question behind the question. Should life go on as usual?
Paul answers the Corinthians that it would be better if they didn’t marry to give their full attention to the Lord—he wants them to live free from concern. Paul knows if any of them were killed, it would be tragic for their remaining spouse and family.
Marriage is good, but it does bring additional responsibilities. It requires the husband and wife to divide their attention between service for God and service for the family. If life is perceived as short, the choice to not marry seems wise. However, because of the culture’s immorality, Paul says if there is a desire to marry, the Corinthian believers should marry instead of giving in to lust. Even though Paul says it is better not to marry, he also says there is no sin in choosing to marry. (note: there are some different views on divorce and remarriage. What did Jesus say and what does Paul mean? see more insights).
Is it okay to stay single?
Paul says, if a person doesn’t feel compelled to be married, he will do better to stay single because his life and attention can be totally given to God.
In their current persecution, Paul’s general advice to the Corinthians is to stay within the situation God has called them, whether married or single, and to live in peace.
What about divorce and remarriage?
Some believe that if they could only get married or remarried, they would find happiness and fulfillment.
But Paul counsels couples to stay committed in their marriage and not leave or divorce their spouses. It is an act of violence, not peace. For more Bible reading on divorce and remarriage, see Malachi 2:14-16, Matthew 19:3-9, Mark 10:2-12, and Luke 16:18.If you’re married, be considerate and faithfully meet your spouse’s needs. If you are engaged, comprehensive premarital counseling can help keep love strong—when two sinners marry, there will be conflicts. When we do not watch our attitudes, selfishness comes in like a fox to devour the garden of our marriage. Words are no longer sweet, and actions are no longer loving.
Biblical marriage counseling can help us identify the root causes and solutions for most marriage problems. If your relationship is stressed or in trouble, don’t wait until it is beyond hope or be too proud to seek help. Talk with compassionate ministers or even Google “Biblical Marriage Counseling near me” to find someone you can trust to give you godly advice. The sooner, the better.
Almost all married couples want happiness and fulfillment. Yet, trying to find ultimate satisfaction in a spouse will be disappointing. We are all sinners. We are thoughtless, selfish, rude, and inconsiderate. True and lasting fulfillment or peace is spiritual, in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. He won’t disappoint you.
Successful marriage
When Christians humble themselves and follow God’s Word with their spouse, they usually have a happier marriage, glorifying the Lord. The counsel from God’s Word teaches us to keep our commitments and to live in love and consideration of one another (see Ephesians 5: 21-33; 1Peter 3:1-8).Whether married or divorced and remarried, we can do these things to increase our happiness and glorify the Lord.
Christian Liberty and Responsibilities
We must also live in consideration for one another as we experience freedom from sin to enjoy what God has given. In Corinth and other Middle-Eastern cities, meat once offered to idols was being eaten by Christians. Those who were newly converted to Christ were troubled. Others knew that an idol was nothing, so it didn’t matter to them, and they could enjoy their meal.
The Apostle Paul told them that if any Christians raised objection to their eating meat offered to idols, they were to stop and not eat it in their presence. They were to live in consideration of each other.
Does Jesus give us liberty from our sins so we can be selfish? Suppose a follower of Christ objects to alcohol, dancing, gambling, or any other activity they relate with sin. Should we just go ahead and do it anyway in his presence? No. Jesus Christ provides us with the freedom to serve himTherefore, we must live in consideration of one another. “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1, NIV). “Be careful … that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak” (1Corinthians 8:9, NIV). Let’s refrain from practicing our liberties when they are present and choose mutually agreed upon activities to include them.
Paul’s Example
The Apostle Paul uses himself as an example of what he does to win the lost.
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible… I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings (1Corinthians 9:19,22b-23, NIV).
If there is a consideration for those lost without Christ, there should be a consideration for those saved.
Paul also uses a negative example from the Israelite wanderings in the desert to emphasize responsibility in Christian liberty. Israelites were God’s chosen people, and he delivered them from Egyptian bondage. They were not, however, thankful, and they took their freedoms for granted. They engaged in immoral behavior and idolatry.
We are to learn from them not to take our liberty for granted and live with moral compromise and carelessness. God will discipline us for that. God is jealous of anything, which becomes an idol for us and leads to evil behavior. In fact, he is jealous of anything which becomes more important than our relationship with him (1Corinthians 10:22).Paul’s conclusion about Christian liberty is found in 1Corinthian 10:23-24, and 10:31–11:1
“Everything is permissible”-- but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”-- but not everything is constructive.
Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others…. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks [non-Jews] or the church of God—even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (NIV)
Discussion
What does the Apostle Paul say about marriage, divorce, remarriage, or singleness?
How should we express our Christian liberties?
Focus Verses
1Corinthians 10:23-24 (NIV)
“Everything is permissible”-- but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”-- but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
My prayer response: Dear Father in heaven, your character is always pure and right. Mine is not. And so, I pray for forgiveness for the times I am not acting with consideration of others, especially my spouse. I pray I will do nothing to keep others from coming into your kingdom to be saved but be a testimony of your grace. I’m not perfect or strong, and I know it is your will for me to ask for wisdom, seek counsel from your Word, and pray for the help of your Holy Spirit, who is within each of us in your family.
Along with meeting our daily needs, Lord, I pray you would give me a loving heart and that I would seek your glory instead of fulfilling my desires. Lord, you showed me mercy and grace in forgiving me, so I pray I will act the same way with others. For your glory and praise, I pray these things in Jesus name, Amen
Please send your comments to me
Looking Ahead: Another issue the Corinthians struggled with was Proper Worship. We still struggle with this today. What the Apostle Paul wrote to them is profitable for us in our worship. Join us for our Next Lesson.
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