May 5 – Right view – 1 Cor 7:29

 May 5 – Right view – 1 Cor 7:29

 

 

 29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not;

 

     This next section of verses is controversial according to today standards.  Paul calls them his brothers and sisters.  He considers part of his family in a spiritual sense.  He then reminds them that the time is short.  The church is always aware of the soon coming of the Lord.  It has been the blessed hope from the tome of the apostles till today. 

     Paul then encourages those who have wives to act as if they do not.  He does not tell them to abandon their responsibilities but to balance them out in the work of the Lord.  Work as if this is the last day you have would a modern thought.  Work as if this was your last few moments because it could be.  They are to live in the light of eternity and the reality of the coming of the Lord.  It is our blessed hope and motivation.

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR MAY 4, 2023

 

May 4 – To Spare You – 1 Cor 7:28

 May 4 – To Spare You – 1 Cor 7:28

 

28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

 

     Paul then states that if you marry it is not a sin and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned.  Paul is advocating abstinence and chastity.  Paul believes in the sanctity of marriage but as a bachelor he also has a bias towards it.  We are not sure when Paul’s wife died but since her death Paul has been free to pursue the proclamation of the gospel. 

     Paul remembers that marriage has many traps, problems, and challenges.  In the process of becoming one flesh personality, pride and self come into constant conflict.  Paul simply wanted to spare the unmarried from this.  Yet through all this Paul was advocating consistency, character, and responsibility.  Whatever state you presently find yourself learn to bloom, grow and be thankful.

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR MAY 3, 2023

 

May 3 – What is best – 1 Cor 7:27

 May 3 – What is best – 1 Cor 7:27

 

 

27 Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.

 

     Paul then asks a question about being pledged or engaged.  If you are then do not seek to be released.  Finding a wife is a good thing.  Being married is a godly desire and designed.  He also states that if you are not married do not look for a wife.  Paul is addressing both sides of the marriage coin.  The issue is that whatever state you are content.  Don’t let outside pressure make you do something you do not want or should not do.  Remember in the ancient world there was big pressure on pro-creation and marriage.  Many moms had nothing better to do but pressure their children on the matter.

PROVERBS OF STEEL FOR MAY 2, 2023

 

May 2 – Stay as you are – 1 Cor 7:24-25

 May 2 – Stay as you are – 1 Cor 7:24-25

25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.

 

     Paul gets very practical.  He knows the world in which he lives in.  He knows it is barbaric, cruel, dark, and sinister.  He states that the advice he is about to give is not from the Lord, but he does consider himself trustworthy to give this advice.  He points to a present crisis now he does not state what the crisis is but scholars have speculated that the region is going through some kind of rebellion.  Roman forces would be merciless in their response to any form of rebellion with public flogging and crucifixions.  Paul thinks it best that man should not marry.  Men were often the objects of Romans reprisal and the church was by many accounts considered treasonous because of their loyalty to the Christ instead of the emperor.  Paul is just being practical.