1 Corinthians Week 16

Day 1 

READ 

1 Corinthians 7:32-34 

³² I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. ³³ But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. ³⁴ His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. 

Paul continued his counsel for the unmarried. Whether it involves a man or a woman, the extra cares of marriage take time away from serving the Lord. It becomes a divided loyalty between serving and pleasing one’s mate with the earthly responsibilities, or having only the Lord to serve and please. 

REFLECT 

Talk with a few couples about Paul’s counsel. It has to be taken along with the other comments he made in this chapter.  

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about what 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 is saying. Talk about how it can be used in talking with others asking questions that relate to this passage. 

Day 2 

READ 

1 Corinthians 7:35 

³⁵ I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible. 

Occasionally it is thought that the instructions in the Bible are limiting us. Paul reminded his readers that the restrictions he was mentioning were for their good. He wanted them to have as few distractions as possible as they lived to please the Lord.  

REFLECT 

Think of the commandments and instructions in the Bible as being for your benefit. They are not unnecessary restrictions taking away your pleasure for living.  

RESPOND 

The 23^rd Psalm is a favorite of most Christians. Notice what verse 6 says in this psalm. Do you believe it? 

Day 3 

READ 

1 Corinthians 7:36-38 

³⁶ But if a man thinks that he’s treating his fiancée improperly and will inevitably give in to his passion, let him marry her as he wishes. It is not a sin. ³⁷ But if he has decided firmly not to marry and there is no urgency and he can control his passion, he does well not to marry. ³⁸ So the person who marries his fiancée does well, and the person who doesn’t marry does even better. 

Paul described the two kinds of men—one kind who can control passions; one who cannot. Being single can honor God and being married can honor Him. Paul thought the one who did not marry was in the better situation. The state of singleness or marriage could each honor God.  

REFLECT 

Be careful in thinking that either singleness or marriage is more spiritual than the other.  

RESPOND 

A primary passage referring to what a Christian marriage should be like is described in Ephesians 5:21-33. Many overlook verse 21 as they seek to explain the passage. A Christian marriage should reflect what Christ’s relation is to the church. Submission does not imply enduring abuse.  

Day 4 

READ 

1 Corinthians 7:39-40 

³⁹ A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord. ⁴⁰ But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God’s Spirit when I say this. 

Paul instructed what the Christian wife is to do if her husband dies. She is free to marry another Christ-follower. Paul would prefer, however, that she remain single. This is based on the previous remarks he stated in this chapter.  

REFLECT 

Paul considered marriage to be for one man and one woman until death. But he gave instructions about what should be done after the death of a mate.  

RESPOND 

For a corresponding passage, also written by the apostle Paul, read Romans 7:1-4. Discuss this passage with a friend. 

Day 5 

READ 

1 Corinthians 8:1 

¹ Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. 

Paul turned his attention toward answering another question the Corinthian believers had asked him. This dealt with meat that had been offered to idols. Apparently the best had been offered and the remains were placed in the marketplace. Some believers were buying that good meat that had been offered to idols, realizing that an idol is nothing. This was confusing to those saved out of idol worship and thought the practice of the believers was being involved with idols. 

REFLECT 

Have you had a new believer become confused because of something you do that he did not understand? 

RESPOND  

Visit with a friend about how your actions may be confusing to some new believers. Use Ephesians 5:15 as an example as to how Christ-followers should live. It matters what others think.