Troublesome Times
-7-
I Corinthians 7:17-40
We move from 'What is good about marriage' to a serious look at yours and my present situation.
Verse 17 starts off with a principle that Paul will illustrate from here to the end of the chapter.
There are two parts to the principle. They may simply be two ways of saying the same thing.
First he says that God (NKJV) has distributed something. And second he says that God has called each one. In the beginning of verse 18 is a question that is repeated a few times throughout the rest of the chapter .. the question goes like this, “ Were you called while …etc.?”
So I will deal with the 'calling' part first. I hesitate to list so many verses, but I want to clearly illustrate a point:
Here is the list:
1Co 1:9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ga 1:6 ¶ I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you into the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
Eph 4:1 ¶ I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, plead with you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.
1Th 2:12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
The above are just a few verses that tell us that it is God who calls us to salvation. Calls to Himself. And this next verse shows us how he calls. He uses you and me to call people to salvation. And we do it by sharing the gospel.
2Th 2:14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So, is everyone that God calls, saved? The next verse says, No.
Mt 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
The simple understanding of this is, God calls many to himself. He uses us to do it. But people need to answer the call. They need to say 'Yes' and draw near to God. As people make that decision to turn to God (that is called repentance) from their self-centered life, God chooses them1. Now they can be counted as 'one of the chosen'. The next verse lists three important steps.
Re 17:14 ¶ "These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful."
God called you to salvation, obviously you answered the call by turning to him. This made you one of the chosen. But at the time God called you, you were living in a particular situation that was yours. How unique was it?
Your unique situation.
You were born in a particular century. You were born in a certain country. You had a particular set of parents. You were born into a particular set of circumstances within a certain culture.
Everyone of the above you had nothing to do with. They have nothing to do with choices that you would make later on … such as how much education you would pursue. What vocation would you choose. How simple or how complex a life would you want to live. Those things are your choices. But the unique list I mentioned first had nothing to do with you.
In parts of the world we could add to the list … were you born into slavery? Were you born into a race where it is the custom to 'mark' you physically … with a surgical operation or a tattoo?
Verse 18 -19 mentions circumcision. That is a physical surgery performed on baby boys that would mark them as belonging to the Jewish race. In remote parts of the world other marks are used, such as distorting of lips and marking parts of the body. When one of these answers the call of God … what should they do? If someone was marked as a Jew, should they seek to change that? If someone was a slave when he answered the call … should he fight against slavery … because Christ came to offer 'freedom'.?
Paul says, even though the Jews will claim that circumcision is EVERYTHING and of ultimate importance, it really isn't. Obeying God is what is important … not your credentials of who you think you are.
In verse 20 he tells us to stay in the situation you were in when you answered God's call to salvation.
He tells us why in verse 21. He says that you can USE your unique situation. Use it how? To extend the call of God to others like you, obviously.
In verses 22- 24 Paul just gives a little summary of these thoughts, underscoring that none of these situations makes any difference at all, and that it is best to stay in it.
In verse 25 Paul seems to apply this to the subject he started with … singleness. Is it a sin to stay single … or is this one part of the situation we found ourselves in when we answered the call of God … and now we are supposed to stay in this situation?
He gives only one reason to stay in your 'single' situation and that is in verse 26. At the time of Paul's writing, it was dangerous to become a Christian. That would be a good reason to stay a virgin2 (single). And then he adds --- if you were married and now are 'loosed' (divorced by your partner), and you find yourself single again, it would be a good idea to stay single for the same reason … difficult times. However, because of the difficult times, don't become single for that reason. Stay married. You will get through the times of persecution by God's help. If you do decide to get married in these difficult times … you haven't sinned, Paul says, But I would like to spare you from a lot of trouble. (27-28)
Paul thought that the time was short and perhaps they were in the tribulation and Jesus was about to return.
For more on this, check out the Revelation study. (29-31)
In verse 32 Paul stresses that the Christian life can best be lived … especially in trying times, without extra worries being added.
But in saying this he makes some interesting assumptions about marriage. (33-35) The assumption is that married people care for each other above all. What a wonderful assumption. Certainly that is what marriage is intended to be. It is also the intended that we understand… Christ cares for His church … above all! And we are to place him in our lives, above all!
Verse 36 has some elements to it that could use clarifying. Probably the NIV is the clearest on this. As Paul completes his comments on staying single in troublesome times … It is as though he answers the question … or the objection, “But what if I am already engaged to be married? Should I go ahead with it or stay single?” He makes it clear, that even in times of tribulation, you are not sinning if you get married. But if you stay single … that is, if you can break it off, that would be better. Provided you can do it without being overtaken with temptations. (37, 38).
One last scenario.
Paul acknowledges that marriage is for life. (So don't divorce because of these troublesome times) but what about a person who has just lost a mate through death? He says, you are biblically and legally able to remarry (that is, a Christian only), but I think if you can remain single in these times, it will be better for you.
What a complete treatment of the subject. How completely he expanded on verse 17.
1Co 7:17 ¶ Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
However, there are even still a couple of areas that he did not touch on. These days marriage is allowed on a common-law-basis. Suppose one or both of these answers the call to salvation, should they remain in their situation?
These days marriage is allowed between two men or two women. Suppose such a person answers God's call to salvation? Should they stay in the relationship? Or what about, in another culture or setting, a man answers the call to salvation who 'legally' has several wives. Does he remain in that setting or does he make a change?
In case of homosexual marriage I believe the bible is clear. Separating would be essential … not because of troublesome times, but because it is sin. But how do we deal with the common-law couple who come to salvation? I believe we would have to examine a couple of things … is there some reason that this couple cannot legally marry? Is it a matter where the government is recognizing a previous marriage that never was consummated, but as far as they are concerned, the person is still married to this original spouse?3 Great care would have to be taken by the church leadership in advising this couple of what to do. Perhaps a 'church wedding' would be the answer.
In the case of the individuals with multiple wives coming to faith in Jesus, what should they do? Should they send all the others away except for the first one? Are they able to do so without putting multiple children into a situation of poverty? Should the separation take place but financial support continue to be given to the 'extended' family? Again, after prayerfully looking at each unique situation, God will have a 'best' solution for them.
1Co 7:17 ¶ Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
So Paul have given a good clear word on the subject, but, as we can imagine, implementing it could be difficult. Doing the right thing often is difficult. God has not called us to the 'easy'.
Acts 14:22 Paul exhorted them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." That does not sound easy.
Do we leave this topic on a heavy note? Well, how about this?
1Co 2:9 But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
It will be worth it all!
1James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.
2 Don't you wish being a virgin and being single were one and the same today?!
3 As in a Marriage of Convenience?
Verse 17 starts off with a principle that Paul will illustrate from here to the end of the chapter.
There are two parts to the principle. They may simply be two ways of saying the same thing.
First he says that God (NKJV) has distributed something. And second he says that God has called each one. In the beginning of verse 18 is a question that is repeated a few times throughout the rest of the chapter .. the question goes like this, “ Were you called while …etc.?”
So I will deal with the 'calling' part first. I hesitate to list so many verses, but I want to clearly illustrate a point:
Here is the list:
1Co 1:9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Ga 1:6 ¶ I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you into the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,
Eph 4:1 ¶ I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, plead with you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.
1Th 2:12 that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
The above are just a few verses that tell us that it is God who calls us to salvation. Calls to Himself. And this next verse shows us how he calls. He uses you and me to call people to salvation. And we do it by sharing the gospel.
2Th 2:14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
So, is everyone that God calls, saved? The next verse says, No.
Mt 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
The simple understanding of this is, God calls many to himself. He uses us to do it. But people need to answer the call. They need to say 'Yes' and draw near to God. As people make that decision to turn to God (that is called repentance) from their self-centered life, God chooses them1. Now they can be counted as 'one of the chosen'. The next verse lists three important steps.
Re 17:14 ¶ "These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful."
- Respond to the call by turning to God. 2. This results in being numbered with 'the chosen'. 3. Our walk, our behavior for the rest of our days should be characterized by the word 'faithful.'
God called you to salvation, obviously you answered the call by turning to him. This made you one of the chosen. But at the time God called you, you were living in a particular situation that was yours. How unique was it?
Your unique situation.
You were born in a particular century. You were born in a certain country. You had a particular set of parents. You were born into a particular set of circumstances within a certain culture.
Everyone of the above you had nothing to do with. They have nothing to do with choices that you would make later on … such as how much education you would pursue. What vocation would you choose. How simple or how complex a life would you want to live. Those things are your choices. But the unique list I mentioned first had nothing to do with you.
In parts of the world we could add to the list … were you born into slavery? Were you born into a race where it is the custom to 'mark' you physically … with a surgical operation or a tattoo?
Verse 18 -19 mentions circumcision. That is a physical surgery performed on baby boys that would mark them as belonging to the Jewish race. In remote parts of the world other marks are used, such as distorting of lips and marking parts of the body. When one of these answers the call of God … what should they do? If someone was marked as a Jew, should they seek to change that? If someone was a slave when he answered the call … should he fight against slavery … because Christ came to offer 'freedom'.?
Paul says, even though the Jews will claim that circumcision is EVERYTHING and of ultimate importance, it really isn't. Obeying God is what is important … not your credentials of who you think you are.
In verse 20 he tells us to stay in the situation you were in when you answered God's call to salvation.
He tells us why in verse 21. He says that you can USE your unique situation. Use it how? To extend the call of God to others like you, obviously.
In verses 22- 24 Paul just gives a little summary of these thoughts, underscoring that none of these situations makes any difference at all, and that it is best to stay in it.
In verse 25 Paul seems to apply this to the subject he started with … singleness. Is it a sin to stay single … or is this one part of the situation we found ourselves in when we answered the call of God … and now we are supposed to stay in this situation?
He gives only one reason to stay in your 'single' situation and that is in verse 26. At the time of Paul's writing, it was dangerous to become a Christian. That would be a good reason to stay a virgin2 (single). And then he adds --- if you were married and now are 'loosed' (divorced by your partner), and you find yourself single again, it would be a good idea to stay single for the same reason … difficult times. However, because of the difficult times, don't become single for that reason. Stay married. You will get through the times of persecution by God's help. If you do decide to get married in these difficult times … you haven't sinned, Paul says, But I would like to spare you from a lot of trouble. (27-28)
Paul thought that the time was short and perhaps they were in the tribulation and Jesus was about to return.
For more on this, check out the Revelation study. (29-31)
In verse 32 Paul stresses that the Christian life can best be lived … especially in trying times, without extra worries being added.
But in saying this he makes some interesting assumptions about marriage. (33-35) The assumption is that married people care for each other above all. What a wonderful assumption. Certainly that is what marriage is intended to be. It is also the intended that we understand… Christ cares for His church … above all! And we are to place him in our lives, above all!
Verse 36 has some elements to it that could use clarifying. Probably the NIV is the clearest on this. As Paul completes his comments on staying single in troublesome times … It is as though he answers the question … or the objection, “But what if I am already engaged to be married? Should I go ahead with it or stay single?” He makes it clear, that even in times of tribulation, you are not sinning if you get married. But if you stay single … that is, if you can break it off, that would be better. Provided you can do it without being overtaken with temptations. (37, 38).
One last scenario.
Paul acknowledges that marriage is for life. (So don't divorce because of these troublesome times) but what about a person who has just lost a mate through death? He says, you are biblically and legally able to remarry (that is, a Christian only), but I think if you can remain single in these times, it will be better for you.
What a complete treatment of the subject. How completely he expanded on verse 17.
1Co 7:17 ¶ Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
However, there are even still a couple of areas that he did not touch on. These days marriage is allowed on a common-law-basis. Suppose one or both of these answers the call to salvation, should they remain in their situation?
These days marriage is allowed between two men or two women. Suppose such a person answers God's call to salvation? Should they stay in the relationship? Or what about, in another culture or setting, a man answers the call to salvation who 'legally' has several wives. Does he remain in that setting or does he make a change?
In case of homosexual marriage I believe the bible is clear. Separating would be essential … not because of troublesome times, but because it is sin. But how do we deal with the common-law couple who come to salvation? I believe we would have to examine a couple of things … is there some reason that this couple cannot legally marry? Is it a matter where the government is recognizing a previous marriage that never was consummated, but as far as they are concerned, the person is still married to this original spouse?3 Great care would have to be taken by the church leadership in advising this couple of what to do. Perhaps a 'church wedding' would be the answer.
In the case of the individuals with multiple wives coming to faith in Jesus, what should they do? Should they send all the others away except for the first one? Are they able to do so without putting multiple children into a situation of poverty? Should the separation take place but financial support continue to be given to the 'extended' family? Again, after prayerfully looking at each unique situation, God will have a 'best' solution for them.
1Co 7:17 ¶ Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
So Paul have given a good clear word on the subject, but, as we can imagine, implementing it could be difficult. Doing the right thing often is difficult. God has not called us to the 'easy'.
Acts 14:22 Paul exhorted them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." That does not sound easy.
Do we leave this topic on a heavy note? Well, how about this?
1Co 2:9 But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
It will be worth it all!
1James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.
2 Don't you wish being a virgin and being single were one and the same today?!
3 As in a Marriage of Convenience?