DAY 078: JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR – 1 CORINTHIANS 7-8

March 17, 2024

1 CORINTHIANS 7-8
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DAY 078: JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

During today’s journey through 1 Corinthians 7-8, we will explore Christian marriage and understanding God’s word.

The first place to begin in understanding God’s word is to seek His true meaning of our study. Take a few minutes to ask God to guide you through our study of 1 Corinthians 7-8. Read 1 Corinthians 7-8. Let’s journey!

Corinth was a major port city, with many temples to false gods. It was also a rather wealthy city and known for its immorality. In Acts 18, we read about Paul helping to form the church in Corinth. He remained with them for about 18 months before moving on to continue his missionary work elsewhere. While in Ephesus, Paul received reports that there were problems, big problems in the church at Corinth. This letter follows a distinct pattern, in that Paul addresses and describes one of five problems, and responds with a message from the Gospel. The problems Paul addresses are Divisions (1-4), Sex (5-7), Food (8-10), The Gathering(11-14), and The Resurrection(15).

1 Corinthians 7-8: Our journey begins by dealing with confusion regarding marriage. Paul personally believes it is better for the believer to remain unmarried if the believer can keep his passions under control. Paul understands that marriage requires work and that time is time taken away from service to God. Paul acknowledges that marriage is not a sin. The believers of Corinth were getting divorced to devote more time to the Lord – which would be a sin since adultery is the only acceptable ground for divorce in God’s eyes. Paul made it clear that believers are to marry believers. Those who marry unbelievers are to remain married, even if the unbeliever decides to live apart from the believer. Paul understood what the people of Corinth did not; God placed a heavy burden on remaining married, making infidelity the only acceptable reason for divorce. Paul instructs the Corinthian Jews and Gentiles to come to Christ as they were. Circumcised or uncircumcised, faith is not about ritual, it is about having Jesus dwelling in their hearts. The Apostle Paul concludes with instructions to widows and virgins, and speaks about eating food that has been sacrificed to idols, and, more deeply, how mature Christians handle the freedoms given them through their faith in Jesus. (1 Corinthians 7:1-8:13)

After reading chapters 7 and 8, consider the following: What problem is Paul addressing? In your own words, summarize what Paul is saying to address this problem. Is Paul’s message still applicable today? How and why?

Godspeace!