Butterworth Gospel Hall1 Sept, 2013

Recapitulation

2 JUN 2013 - PT. I – THE PROBLEMS OF THE LOCAL CHURCH IN

CORINTHCHS. 1-5

9 JUN 2013 - PT. II – THE PROBLEMS OF THE LOCAL CHURCH IN

CORINTHCHS. 5, 6

I. THE “UNIVERSAL” CHURCH

II. THE LOCAL CHURCH

PT. II – THE PROBLEMS OF THE LOCAL CHURCH IN CORINTH

One Head and One BodyTwo areas where the Local Church should reflect the Universal Church:

He is the HEAD of the Church

that in ALL things He might

have the Pre-eminence.

II. The Problems of the Local Church in Corinth (cf. Acts 18:1, 8, 11)

1. The Problem of Disunity – Paul’s Appeal for Unity in the Church.

I Cor. 1:10-30 •The Problem of Immaturity – Paul could not Advance with them. They were Childish and Carnal: they still needed Milk and not Meat. 3:1-3, 43. The Problem of Immorality –

Paul was Appalled by their Tolerance of Incest in their midst. I Cor. Ch. 5

4. The Problem of Litigation (Legality)They Accused one Another in Court

I Cor. Ch. 6:1-8

•The TEN Serious Sins of Brothers (and Sisters) which need Separation –

I Cor. 6:9-20 ( cp. 5: 10, 11)

5. They Abused their own Bodies.I Cor. Ch. 6:9-20

a. The Ten Sins Around them: 6:9, 10 i. The Four Sexual Sins of Fornication: 6:9b, 11Fornicators, Adulterers, Effeminate (male prostitutes), Abusers of themselves with mankind (sodomites, NRSV).•The Six Surrounding Social Sins: 6:9, 10

Idolaters, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners

b. BUT they were Saved, Sanctified; hence they need to behave like Saints and not Sinners. 6:11-12c. Their bodies are the Spirit’s Dwelling – they will be Destroyed, if Defiled. 6:13-19, 20 cf. 3:17

JUN 2013 - PT. I – THE PROBLEMS OF THE LOCAL CHURCH IN CORINTH

CHS. 1-4 PAUL APPALLED AT THEIR CONDITION

9 JUN 2013 - PT. II – THE PROBLEMS OF THE LOCAL CHURCH IN CORINTH

CHS. 5, 6 THEY ABUSED THEIR OWN BODIES1 SEPT – PT. III – THE PROBLEMS OF THE

LOCAL CHURCH IN CORINTHCH. 7 – PAUL ANSWERS THEIR PROBLEMS.

6. Paul’s Answers (7:1) - Concerning…Re: Relationships. I Cor. Chs. 7-10

(A) Re: Relationships between Male and Female. Ch. 7

(1) Between Man and Woman – touch not 7:1

(2) Between Husband and Wife – Defraud not; Depart not. 7:2-5, 6. 10,

11

(3) Between the Married and Unmarried - be as Paul, if not, Better to marry than to Burn. 7:7-9

(4) Concerning the Virgin and Various other cases - Abide in the same Calling wherein…Called. 7:12-38

(5) Concerning the Widow and Widower –at Liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. 7:39f

6. Paul’s Answers (7:1) Re: Relationships. I Cor. Chs. 7-10(A) Re: Relationships between Male and Female. Ch. 7

(1)Man and Woman– 7:1-16Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me:

(a) It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 7:1

(i) …not to touch a woman? (KJV, NRSV)– haptomai, to attach oneself to, i.e. to touch (Strong)–

Consider the Social/ Sympathetic/ SensualTouch.

(ii) …not to marry? (NIV) A Quote or Question?

Paul Advocating Asceticism? Or Singleness?

(a) It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 7:1

(b) The Advice to Avoid Fornication(s):7:2-4(i) let every man/woman have his/her own…wife/husband (no polygamy)(ii) Let the husband /wife render conjugal rights.Note: Reciprocal Responsibility to Render Rights. (c) The Advice re. Abstinence (7:5)Defraud (= Deprive) not: (i) Mutual: except it be with consent for a time,(ii) Motive: give yourselves to fasting and prayer;(iii) Make-up: Come together again, that Satan

tempt you not …because of your lack of self-Control. (NIV)

(d) The Concession according to Circumstances – I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

7:6-16

(i.) Defraud not mutual conjugal rights. 7:2-5(ii.) But all men/women are Different. 7:7-11To the unmarried and widows, be as Paul –

“Called”(?) to be a Celibate or Single? I would that all men were even as I myself – 7:7f To those who Cannot Contain, marry!

Better to marry than to Burn. 7:9

Paul’s Command Confirmed by the Lord: To the Married, Depart [Separate] not. 7:10, 11If one departs, Remain unmarried or be Reconciled.

(iii.) To the Rest…(Paul’s speaking, cf. v. 40) 7:12-16The Believing Spouse after Marriage:let him/her not put her/him away, unless the unbelieving partner chooses to depart. 7:14, 15

Each is Sanctified = Set apart; Made holyIf one chooses to Leave, Live in Peace, if Possible;

Separate, if necessary; Divorce not! 7:15 Be Prepared for Possible Salvation Later, Leading to Restoration and Reconciliation. 7:16

(A) Re: Relationships between Male and Female. (1.) Between Man and Woman – 7:1-16

(2.) Concerning God’s Calling and Current Circumstances. 7:17-24(a)The Rule for all Churches: 7:17-19As God hath distributed to every man, As the Lord hath called every one,

so let him walk. 7:17(i) Is any man called being circumcised?

let him not become uncircumcised. 7:18a(ii) Is any called in uncircumcision?

let him not be circumcised. 7:18:b(iii) Circumcision or Uncircumcision is nothing. The keeping of God’s Commandments Counts. 7:19

(a) The Rule for all Churches: 7:17-19As God hath distributed to every man, As the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk.

(b) The Rule for every man: 7:20-24Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called…Let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. 7:20, 24

•(i) A Slave to Man before? cp. Eph. 6:5, 6, NIVContinue, be a Slave of Christ. 7:22-23

(ii) Be free if you Can; if not, be free in your Calling - You have been Purchased with a Price, Use your freedom to Choose to be Christ’s Slave!

•Exo. 21:2-6

(A) Re: Relationships between Male and Female. Ch. 7

(1.) Between Man and Woman. 7:1-16 Between Husband and Wife.(2.) Concerning God’s Calling and Current Circumstances. 7:17-24

(3.)Concerning the Unmarried and Married.7:25-38

Paul’s Personal Counsel to the Virgin – Now concerning virgins 7:25-38

(a) No Command from the Lord. 7:25a

(b) Paul’s Concern and Care for them. 7:25b, 28b

(c) Remain status quo under Current Crisis.7:26, 27

Pressure or Persecution?.

(c) Remain status quo under Current Crisis. 7:26, 27

(d) A change may bring about Potential Problems – troubles in this life 7:28(i.) Time is Short; the world Swings by.

Be Single-minded in Service to the Lord. 7:29-31, NIV

those who have wives should liveas if they had none; (29) Love your Spouse, but be Single-minded.

those who mourn, as if they did not; (30a)Not Self-pity, but Self-denial!

those who are happy, as if they were not; (30b)

Not Jolly, but Joyful!those who buy something, as

if it were not theirs to keep; (30c)Not Preoccupied with Properties;

just Purchase necessities!those who use the things of the world,

as if not engrossed in them. (31a)Not Absorbed in or Abuse the things of the

World but Use them.

(3.) Between the Unmarried and Married. 7:25-38Paul’s Personal Counsel to the Virgin

(i.) Time is Short; the world Swings by. Be Single-minded. 7:29-31

(ii) Be free of Concerns and Cares: 7:32

(iii.) The married has to Care for the spouse. 7:33, 34b

(iv.) The virgin Attends to the Affairs of the Lord. She Devotes herself without Distraction to the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. 7:34a, 35

(d) A change may bring about Potential Problems. 7:28-38

(iv.) To marry or not depends on your Circumstances and Calling. 7:36, 37

The Circumstances: A virgin (daughter) (RV)? Fiancée? (NRSV)? Virginity (JND)? So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better. 7:38

Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 7:20

(3.) Between the Unmarried and Married. 7:25-38Paul’s Personal Counsel to the Virgin 7:25-38

(4.) Concerning the Widow and Widower – free to marry another believer. 7:39, 40

(a) Marriage is for life.(b) Dissolution of Marriage (i) only at Death. Rom. 7:2, 3 (ii) Divorce - only for fornication? Cf. Mt. 19:9a(c) Remarriage after a Deceased partner

only in the Lord. 7:39 cf. Mt. 19:9b She is happier if she so abide 7:40

Note: Paul speaks, but…I think also that I have the Spirit of God. 7:40

SummaryPaul’s answers to the Church’s Questions (7:1) – A Summary.[What The Bible Teaches – I Cor.

By J. Hunter](1)Should conjugal relations continue after

conversion? - Yes. (1-7)(2)Should the unmarried marry?

Paul advises the unmarried. (8, 9)(3)Is divorce permissible to Christians? -

No. (10-11) [ct. Matt. 19:9]

(4) Should the marriage bond continue when one partner gets converted? – Yes, (12-16)

(5) If conversion means a moral and spiritual change, does it call for an external change? No. (17-24)(6) In view of the present distress, is it better not to marry? (25-38) – Yes.(7) May a Christian widow remarry? Yes, in the Lord, but better to remain unmarried.

(39-40)

8 SEPT – PT. IV – THE PROBLEMS OF THE LOCAL CHURCH IN CORINTHCHS. 8-10 – PAUL ANSWERS THEIR PROBLEMS.Summary of the Relationship Problems in I Cor. Chapters 6-10 Problem 1 – Litigation between brethren.

Solution: Let there be Pardon (Forgiveness).

Problem 2 – Lust between the Sexes.

Solution: Let there be Purity of thought and action.

Summary of the Relationship Problems in I Cor. Chapters 6-10

Problem 3 – Liberty vs. Love Strong and Weak.Solution: Let there be Partiality

– Love Limits Liberty.Problem 4 – “Living”

the Saints and God’s Servant.Solution: Let there be Partnership.Problem 5 – Leadership and Fellowship

The Lord and His People.Solution: Let the Lord Lead in all Paths.