1 Corinthians 9:1

1 Corinthians 9:1 says, Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?  Paul here defends his apostleship.  There were those who were saying that since he had not physically walked with Christ that he wasn't truly an apostle.  Paul said he had indeed seen Jesus Christ in the only way that mattered and that was a spiritual encounter that changed his life. Verse two adds, If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.  Paul said that even if some questioned his apostleship, those that he had reached for Christ could not doubt his calling.  His meeting of Christ was spiritual instead of physical, but it was still just as real, evidenced by the change in his life.  We will never meet Jesus physically in this life, but we are no less saved than the disciples who walked and talked with Him.  We have power through the Holy Spirit that they did not truly experience until after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  Verse three Paul continues, Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,  Paul did not run away from controversy in order to keep peace with those who would denounce his apostleship.  Verse states, Have we not power to eat and to drink?   Paul asked if he was not entitled to have his needs met by the church, by those believers he had led to a saving knowledge of Christ.  Those today who go and proclaim the message of Christ to the world should be able to do so freely without worry about meeting physical needs.  What more important calling is there?  Verse five adds, Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?  Paul asked if he should not have the same rights as other apostles, and that was to have a wife traveling with him and supported as well, as did other disciples, including Cephas, or Peter.  Verse six continues, Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?  Paul had been saying we, and here he names Barnabas as being included with Him.  Were they alone expected to work and support their own ministry?  Today, there are still people who feel that preachers should not be paid, that they should show their faith by relying on God alone.  These same people seldom feel that they should work for free to show their own reliance on God.  Even in the Old Testament, priests were provided for by the rest of the nation so they would be free to attend to the things of God.  Paul said Barnabas and he were just as worthy of such support as any apostle.  Verse seven, asks, Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?  Paul asked basically in what other profession were people expected to provide totally for themselves without any provisions from those they worked for.  Verse eight adds, Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?  Here, Paul backed up what he was saying with scripture.  We should always be able to support what we teach about God with the scriptures.  Verse nine continues, For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?  Even the ox was to be allowed to eat while it was working, but Paul said this teaching had an even greater meaning.  Verse ten says, Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.  Paul said that the teaching also applied to those who were proclaiming God's word.  They should not be cut off from having their material needs met.  If God cared for the oxen, how much more would He care for those spreading the gospel full time.  Verse eleven Paul adds, If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?  I believe that Paul was saying that since they had sown the gospel, the way to everlasting life among the people at Corinth, was having their physical needs met too much to ask.  Verse twelve continues, If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.  Here, Paul says that even though they had that right, they had not used it in order that the gospel might not be hindered.  The church today is still called to meet the needs of preachers and missionaries, and if they choose to provide for their own needs, it should be their choice.  We need to remember that God works through His people to accomplish His will.  Paul was not saying that apostles should become rich in material things as they proclaimed the gospel, but that they could expect their needs to be met by the church.

1 Corinthians 8:1

1 Corinthians 8:1 says, Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.  Eating food sacrificed to idols was a point of dispute for the Christians of Paul's day.  Some believed it okay to eat it, while others felt it was a sin.  Verse two adds, And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.  I believe that Paul was warning against believing that what a person thinks making them feel morally superior to those who disagreed with them.  If we begin to think we alone know the total truth about God, we become vain in our own knowledge and prove that we really know nothing.  We can know that the cross is the only way to salvation beyond a doubt, but we cannot claim to know everything about how everyone should relate to the things of this world.  Verse three continues, But if any man love God, the same is known of him.  Paul said that those that love God are known to God.  We do not need to judge the relationship between God and anyone else.  We can be certain that if they love God, which I believe means to be saved through grace by the gift of salvation on the cross, God will keep and instruct them.  Verse four states, As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.  This was another issue creating divisions in the church.  Some felt that since meat was sacrificed to idols it was somehow no longer fit for Christians to eat.  Paul simply reminded them that idols have no power, and certainly were not divine.  Our concern should be how we use the things God blesses us with instead of being concerned about anything sacrificed to an idol.  Verse five adds, For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)  Nothing has changed since Paul's day. There are many in the world today called gods.  Some countries even see their leaders as divine.  Still, not all false gods are represented by some idol.  Whenever anyone rejects Christ as their Savior and Lord, they are in effect making themselves their own god.  Verse six continues, But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.  Paul declared that the world may claim that there are many gods, but the Christian knows that there is but One God.  We speak of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but we do not worship three different Gods.  We live by and through the power of God.  Verse seven says, Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.  I believe Paul was saying that even if eating meat sacrificed to idols was not a sin of itself, for those who believed it was a sin, for them it was.  This does not mean that each person determines what sin is, but that in some areas that may not be clearly defined, some may feel that something is a sin that others who are more mature in faith do not.  Verse eight adds, But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.  I believe Paul was reminding the people at Corinth that the things of this world do not determine our acceptance by God.  Only faith in Christ does that.  Verse nine continues, But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.  This is a warning to those who are stronger in their faith, their liberty in Christ, to not allow this liberty to become a stumbling block.  We are not to lord over weaker followers but are to live so that we don't cause others to stumble in their service to God.  Verse ten states, For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;  I believe Paul is warning us to not do anything that could possibly be viewed as wrong by fellow believers and lead them to do something they feel is wrong.  Verse eleven adds, And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?  I don't believe Paul was saying that the weak brother would be lost, but that they would perish without growing in faith as they should.  Christ died for them, and we should live putting their welfare above our own.  Verse twelve continues, But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. We may have freedom in Christ, but if we cause another to waver in faith, we sin against Christ.  All our actions should bring glory to God.  Verse thirteen concludes, Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.  Paul said though he knew that there was nothing wrong in eating meat sacrificed to idols, if his eating it caused others to stumble, he would not eat it.  We must do nothing that causes a weaker Christian to stumble.

1 Corinthians 7:32

1 Corinthians 7:32 says, But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: Paul continues to warn people that they should not be careless about the things of this world.  Even if they are not to be a priority of how we live, they are non the less our responsibility to use carefully, not just to satisfy our own desires.  Whether single or married, we are not to allow the things of this world to become a priority in life.  If we are not careful, material possessions can begin to own us more than we own them.  If the majority of our time becomes devoted to maintaining our material possessions, we soon have no time for God.  Verse thirty-three adds, But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.  Paul said that the married man cares for material things so that he can please his wife.  A husband should care about meeting the needs of his wife, but if the desire to give her more and more becomes more important than following God's will, then that becomes a problem.  Verse thirty-four continues, There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.  Paul applies this teaching to the wife as well.  As with the husband wanting to please his wife, so does the wife wish to please her husband.  I believe that the key to both is remembering that Christ is to be the head of the marriage.  When we put God first, then all other things will fail in their correct place.  In verse thirty-five, Paul states, And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.  Paul said that he was not trying to make things confusing, but that he was attempting only to get them to understand that God's will always had to come first.  Verse thirty-six adds, But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. Paul applies his teachings to even a person's thoughts here.  There was the thought in that day that a woman needed a husband to provide for her material needs, and that if a young girl passed a certain age without being married, there could be something morally corrupt about her.  Since we as followers of Christ today do not have this same mindset, I believe we can best apply this idea to being married before any sexual activity takes place.  Verse thirty-seven continues, Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.  I believe this supports what I just started.  A person must determine even before temptation may come that they are going to remain pure of sexual sin, or any sin for that matter. Verse thirty-eight says, So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.  Again, we have to understand the world that Paul lived in where the father was free to arrange a marriage for his daughter.  Paul said even in those dangerous days that it was good to give a daughter in marriage but was better if he didn't.  Paul was still thinking of all the added responsibility that a wife had, I believe, and was not advocating that people should not get married. Verse thirty-nine adds, The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.  Paul then wrote concerning widows.  He said that death freed on from marriage vows.  Some religions today teach that two people are married for time everlasting, even beyond death, but God tells us that marriage is for this life only.  A widow was free to marry once more.  Verse forty continues, But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.  Paul then says she would be happier if she remained unmarried in his opinion.  We can safely say that marriage brings responsibilities that a single person does not have, and that parenthood brings even more responsibility.  Still, God ordained marriage and our responsibility is to assure that His will remains the priority in life.  We cannot let a desire to give more and more materially to a spouse or children come between us and spreading the gospel, in both word and deed.

1 Corinthians 7:25

1 Corinthians 7:25 says, Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.  Paul said that he had no commandment from the Lord concerning what he was about to write.  Though Paul said he had no commandment from the Lord, he still had the Holy Spirit directing him as he wrote these things.  We may not have a direct voice from God commanding us in every situation, but we do have the Holy Spirit to help us discern the truth.  Paul was still writing under the leadership of the Lord.  Verse twenty-six adds, I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. Christians were suffering a lot of persecution at the time Paul was writing, and he said that in this time of persecution it might be better to be single.  Paul was certainly not condemning marriage.  We must remember that God Himself ordained marriage.  Yet, Paul said that marriage brings responsibility for the well-being of the spouse into the relationship with God and the world.  Verse twenty-seven continues, Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.  Paul was writing to the Christians at Corinth during a time of persecution.  We recognize his letter to the Corinthians as God's word to His people then and now.  I believe that Paul was saying that those who were married had a greater responsibility to things of this world than did those who were not married, so the unmarried person would have greater freedom to serve God, especially in those perilous days.  Paul was never endorsing a lifetime of celibacy for believers or even for those in certain positions in the church.  Verse twenty-eight states, But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.  Paul said that marrying was not a sin, but that marriage brought with it responsibilities.  Some people today ask why anyone would want to get married in these times of trouble that we live in, because being responsible for one's own life is hard enough.  What we have to remember is that marriage is ordained of God, and when two Christians are married, they strengthen and uplift one another, especially through the hard times.  Verse twenty-nine adds, But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;  I believe that Paul was saying that those who were married should put doing God's work ahead of many of the responsibilities that marriage can bring.  Paul said time was running short, and that reaching people for Christ needed to come first.  It still does. This does not mean that family is unimportant, but that we are to put God first and have faith that He will take care of our families when we do.  Verse thirty continues, And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;  I believe Paul is still speaking about not allowing anything in this world to come between God and us.  The things of this world should not be our priority.  Verse thirty-one concludes, And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.  We are not to abuse the world.  We are to be responsible in the way we use any of the world's resources, but need to acknowledge at the same time that they are only temporary.  We can allow nothing to come between us and our relationship with God, but through His leadership all things will be made good.

1 Corinthians 7:17

1 Corinthians 7:17 says, But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.  I believe Paul was saying that when we are called, we have a certain status in life, and that after we are saved, we should be content to continue to live in whatever status we are in.  At no point were we promised that if we follow Christ all our physical circumstances would change.  If we are working, the job we have will still be the job we had before we accepted Christ.  I don't believe that Paul was saying that we should not attempt to better ourselves, but that we should not expect to suddenly have a better job or to be better off materially.  We are called to a spiritual relationship with God that will never change whatever our status in life.  We are to be content in the world because we are content in our spiritual relationship with God.  Verse eighteen adds, Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. Paul was again stating that physical things have no bearing on our spiritual relationship with God.  Circumcision had been a physical sign of being a part of God's covenant people, but now Paul was stating it was no longer important.  We cannot place physical or material requirements on being a follower of Christ.  None of it matters, since we are God's people through faith in Christ. Those who were a part of God's chosen people through birth, those who were to represent Him in the world, were no better or worse than those that they considered heathen.  Both needed salvation through Christ alone and not through physical signs of belonging to God's family.  Verse nineteen continues, Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. Paul stated this very clearly.  We can never claim that any physical trait allows us to be one of God's people.  Paul said only keeping God's commandments was important.  Though we cannot be saved through the Law, or commandments, we can show obedience to God and display our faith to the world by keeping His commandments.  They are to be written in our hearts and not on tablets of stone.  Verse twenty states, Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.  Paul said we are not to conform to outward characteristics to prove our relationship with God.  We are to abide by faith in Christ wherever we are and to witness for Him.  Verse twenty-one adds, Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.  Following Christ may not change our physical standing in the world, but it should change our attitude toward how we relate to the world.  If a servant, or slave, were to attain their freedom, they were to use that freedom for the glory of Christ. Verse twenty-two continues, For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. I believe Paul was emphasizing again that our standing in the world is unimportant.  God frees us from the captivity of sin, and we are then to be His servants.  It is a willing choice.  God does not force anyone to accept Christ as Savior and Lord.  Verse twenty-three declares, Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.  Salvation is the free gift of God to mankind, but it does not come without a cost to God.  Since God purchased, or redeemed us through the blood of Christ, our ultimate loyalty is to Him.  Though we are to serve wherever we are, and we are to serve to the glory of God whatever our station in life, we are God's people, and He is the ultimate authority in our lives.  Verse twenty-four adds, Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.  As followers of Christ, Paul says that we are simply to abide in God, no matter what our earthly situation may be.  Since we are spiritually God's forever, our status in the eyes of the world is unimportant.  We are simply to live for Christ.

1 Corinthians 7:10

1 Corinthians 7:10 states, And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:  Paul was making it clear that what he was saying about remaining married if they were married was God's plan.  We know from all the teachings of the Bible that God views marriage as a sacred bond between a man and a woman and God.  Marriage is not a man-made institution, but a God ordained one.  Many of those who were becoming followers of Christ were married, and often the spouse did not convert to following Christ.  Paul recognized that this could cause problems and addressed this issue in the following verses.  Verse eleven adds, But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. Paul first spoke to the wife, saying that if she left the marriage, for whatever reason, that as a Christian she was to remain unmarried.  We have to remember that these things were written to the church at Corinth. Paul also addressed the husband, telling him not to put away, or divorce, his wife.  In the world in which Paul lived, the woman had very few rights, and that is true in much of the world today.  So, even though the man could divorce his wife for any or no reason, Paul said that as followers of Christ, they had a higher standard to follow.  Verse twelve continues, But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.  Paul saying that he spoke and not the Lord did not mean that Paul was speaking without the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  Paul was simply dealing with issues that had not been dealt with before in the scriptures. What he was saying was still God's word.  Paul said that if a believer had a wife who was a non-believer, and she wanted to stay married, then he should not divorce her.  There are times today when two non-believers get married and then one accepts Christ as their Savior and Lord, and the other spouse does not.  These verses are really a commandment to the believing spouse.  If a man becomes a believer, he cannot simply decide that he is going to divorce a non-believing spouse, but instead, as long as she wants to remain married, he is to remain married to her and treat her with the love and respect that marriage should bring.  He is not free to view his non-believing spouse as someone to tolerate or endure, but is not only to not put her away, but to love her with the love that Christ calls us to exhibit.  Verse thirteen states, And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.  These same principles apply to a believing wife married to a non-believing husband.  Remaining married to a non-believer is left up to the non-believer.  We might think this strange, that being unequally yoked as the Bible calls it, would be a reason to leave the marriage, but this is not what God teaches us.  Verse fourteen adds, For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.  This does not mean that one spouse is saved by the faith of the other, only that the marriage itself is sanctified by the belief of the one spouse.  We often today look at the worldly status of marriage, giving it authentication from a legal, or worldly, view, but marriage also is a promise made to God.  Paul was not saying that the children were saved by the actions of the believing spouse either, but that according to Jewish law, they were still a part of God's people.  They were much more likely to come to faith in Christ due to a believing parent than without the example of the believing parent.  Verse fifteen continues, But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.  Paul states that if the non-believing spouse wants to leave, let them go.  Paul also states that the believer is no longer under bondage to the marriage but should be able to live in peace.  Verse sixteen concludes, For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?  Paul adds that by remaining in the marriage, the believing spouse might convert the non-believer to faith in Christ. This should be the desired outcome, but likely could only occur with a constant living in faith by the believer.

1 Corinthians 7:1

1 Corinthians 7:1 says, Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.  Paul was responding to a letter that he had received from the church at Corinth evidently asking questions about marriage.  Paul stated that in the uncertain times that they were living in, it might be better to be single.  Once a couple were married, they had a responsibility to the other person and looking out for their well-being.  Paul was not saying that it was better never to be married at any time.  He was not promoting a singles life for everyone, but I believe was simply stating that a person might be better off without the responsibilities of marriage during these times of severe persecution.  Verse two adds, Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.  I do not think that Paul was saying marriage was a necessary action simply to avoid sexual sin.  There are those who say that judging by a lot of what Paul wrote that he must not have had a high view of women, but we notice here and in his other writings that he applied this advice to men and women.  Verse three continues, Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.  Here again, the advice is mutual, addressed to both the husband and wife.  We need to remember that the Bible teaches that in marriage the two become one, and they have a mutual commitment to each other.  One cannot do anything they choose to do without affecting the other half of the relationship.  Verse four states, The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Paul said that the husband nor wife had power over their own body, but that the spouse had the power. We must remember that both are under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and are to base all actions on love for the other person.  This was quite an improvement for the wife, who was considered to be totally under the power of the husband in most of the world.  Verse five adds, Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.   Remembering that Paul was speaking of sexual relationships between a husband and wife, he was warning them not to use sex as a weapon, as the saying goes.  If they mutually decided to abstain from sexual activity for a period of time for religious reasons, that was okay, but even then, it should not be for a period long enough to allow Satan to begin to tempt them.  Verse six continues, But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.  I believe that Paul was speaking about what he was about to say about being married or single and not what he had just said about the marriage relationship.  Verse seven says, For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.  Paul said that to marry or not marry was not a commandment from God.  Paul saw advantages to being single and wished for those advantages for others, but that was not God's plan for humanity.  The people of Israel had been told to marry, so that the people of Israel might increase in numbers.  Paul was saying that for him, being unmarried had been a blessing, but he knew it was not what God had commanded for the majority of people.  Verse eight adds, I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.  Again, Paul was not saying that this was what God commanded, but that from his prospective it was better to remain unmarried.  Marriage brings with it many commitments that do not exist in single life, and from the prospective of committing all to God possibly at times could be a hindrance to following God anywhere He led.  When Paul was imprisoned, concern for a wife and children could have gotten in the way of His obedience to God, and for that reason he was thankful that he was not married.  Paul said from this prospective it was better to not be married.  Verse nine continues, But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.  I don't believe that Paul was comparing marriage to hell and saying that of the two, being married was a little better.  I believe that what Paul was saying is that if a person could not commit to a pure single life, they needed to marry.  I also believe that Paul meant that this was to be done under the leadership of the Holy Spirit and entailed all that God intended for marriage to be, and not just for the sexual aspects of marriage.