Wednesday, October 7, 2026

#1680 1 Corinthians 9 Part 1 The Worker Is Worthy Of His Wages

 




Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we not have authority to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have authority to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or do only Barnabas and I not have authority to refrain from working? 7 Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not consume the fruit of it? Or who shepherds a flock and does not consume the milk of the flock?

8 Am I speaking these things according to human judgment? Or does not the Law also say these things? 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing.” Is God merely concerned about oxen? 10 Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops. 11 If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share this authority over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we did not use this authority, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? 14 So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel. 1 Corinthians 9: 1-14 LSB

1 Corinthians 9: 1-14

We just left off with Paul speaking to the Corinthians, answering their questions about their liberty in Christ and the setting aside of their freedoms for the sake of weaker brothers. From commentaries and sermons I can see that this is a difficult passage for preachers to speak on, except for those charlatans who are only about filling their purses. We are all aware of such, and so when the subject of money comes up in church we should not lay aside past experiences, but should listen carefully and proceed with discernment. We are all called to be stewards of the things that God has given us, and so rightfully we should be concerned with the stewardship of those we would support in the ministry. For some pastors it is a difficult subject to approach because they are aware of the many abuses regarding money that have occurred in the name of Christ. They do not want the association, and I don't blame them, but it is part of God's word and needs to be addressed. When you look at this passage in context you will actually see it is quite beautiful, for here we see Paul's example of what he had just taught them about laying aside your rights and privileges. The apostle will prove that he didn't just teach about these things, but here is the example of doing so in his own life. 

1This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task. 2An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.… 1 Timothy 3: 1-3

…6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination. 7 As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach— not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. 8Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.… Titus 1: 6-8

…18For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,… Philippians 3: 18-20

V. 1a Am I not free - He is free in Christ as well, and should be able to enjoy the same privileges as his peers.

V. 1b Am I not an apostle - This was Paul's calling, his peer group, and so the answer is the affirmative, acknowledging that he shared the same vocation as Peter and the other Apostles. 

V. 1C Have I not seen Jesus our Lord - For those that doubted his claim to Apostleship, his opposers, he asserts the basis of the claim, that he had seen the risen Lord, one of the qualifications of being an Apostle. I believe the apostolic era ended with the apostles, and that people who make that claim about themselves now should be rebuked and seen for the false teachers that they are. 

An apostle by definition had to have seen the resurrected Jesus Peter declaring "Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us– beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us–one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” (Acts 1:21-22) Paul insists that he did not merely see a vision of Jesus, but an authentic appearance of the post-resurrection Jesus.

Acts 9:3-6 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.”

1 Corinthians 15:8 and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. - PA

V. 2 At least I am to you - He was sent out as an apostle to the gentiles, and to this very people, the Corinthians, whom he now addressed. They had witnessed the signs of his apostleship. He had shared the gospel and many had believed. They were a place of his planting where the Holy Spirit had moved.

Utley - A seal in the ancient world was a warm blob of wax into which a signet ring was pressed to seal a letter or package. It was an assurance that the contents had not been opened; it showed who owned the contents; and it showed the genuineness of the contents, that it was sent by the right person. This type of seal became a metaphor of Christian certainty (cf. John 3:33; Ro 4:11).

Not only were the saints in Corinth Paul's seal of authenticity, they were also his letter (See Passage above). In addition Paul had performed supernatural signs that authenticated his apostleship, writing "The signs of a true apostle were performed among you (BY ME, PAUL) with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles." (2 Corinthians 12:12)

Vs. 3-4 Do we not have authority to eat and drink - Paul starts his defense, and this is in the context of paying ministers, so it is in reference to being fed.

17Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18For the Scripture says, “ Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker is worthy of his wages.” 1 Timothy 5: 17-18

V. 5 To take along a believing wife - Paul had the right to take along a wife, but he had the gift of celibacy as previously discussed. The point here is that if he did then his, her and his families care would all be considered one. They would all need to be fed.

V. 5b The rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas - Here is the precedent, and Paul is an apostle too. This passage flies in the face of the Roman Catholic teachings concerning Peter, popes (which are an unbiblical invention) and the rest of the apostles. Paul appears to be the only one without a wife. Cephas is another name for Peter.

…2influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. 3They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected,… 1 Timothy 4: 2-4

Jack Arnold - It was the practice of the Apostles to take their wives and children with them when they traveled and ministered to various churches. This verse tells us that most of the Apostles were married to believing wives, and they were not separated from their wives and families when ministering. It also tells us that the church supported the Apostle, his wife and his family; therefore, we might conclude that the woman was not required to work for money outside the home. This verse certainly refutes the idea that men in the ministry should not be married....and the Lord’s brothers. This is a reference to the half-brothers of Jesus. Mary had other children by Joseph after she bore Christ (Matt. 1:25; 12:46; Jn. 2:12). This obviously refutes the superstition that Mary was always a virgin. This more importantly tells us that the privilege of being financially supported in the ministry applied to those who were not Apostles, for the half-brothers of Christ were not Apostles, except James.... and Cephas? Even Peter and his wife were supported by the church in the work of the ministry. Peter was a married man (Matt 8:14; Mark 1:30). Again, this refutes the whole idea of the celibacy of the clergy. Furthermore, if Peter was the first Pope (as some erroneously claim) then that Pope was a married man. - PA




Vs. 6-7 Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense - Consider the natural order, even a slave that is sent into war would receive food, shelter and equipment. He continues, "who plants a vineyard, who shepherds a flock?" The answer is obvious, you plant a vineyard in order to consume it's grapes, with the expectation of drinking of it's wine. There is a logical principle here as well that you would want your own time and skill to be valued. If you had a farm, well most people don't understand this today, but it takes a lot of time and energy, a lot of planning and maintenance, so you would not be wrong for expecting to be compensated by those who would be interested in your vegetables, meat, fruit or dairy products. It is normal to value the products and services that people provide. A good measure would be, what would I honestly want if I was the one providing this service? Of course to get here honestly you would need to learn a bit of what goes into it. 

…14Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. 15You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. 16Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin.… Deuteronomy 24: 14-16

…12You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD. 13You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand. 14You must not curse the deaf or place a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God. I am the LORD.… Leviticus 19: 12-14

Vs. 8-10 Yes for our sakes it was written - Paul demonstrates that this is not just human wisdom and reasoning; this is congruent with Holy Scripture. If you do not muzzle the ox, but allow him to eat as he plows, to restore his expenditure, then what of the plowman made in God's image, your brother?


Vs. 11-12 We endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ - These were Paul's spiritual children, yet he and Barnabas did not exercise their rights or privilege as Apostles when they were with them. He gives the reason, because he wanted no hindrance to the gospel, and as MacArthur points out, this was by his own choice. Paul removed a stumbling block out of love for God and his people, but also for the sake of the gospel, and even this message. No one in Corinth could say that they made Paul the man he was, and this brings about an interesting question. Are there times today when men would be called as tent makers? Absolutely, if God sent you to a people who are poor, or a people who were skeptical, then they may be interested in the message, but not able or yet willing to pay a vocational elder. This is why I think it is important for us to support missionaries so that they do not come as a burden to those they are trying to reach, but also doing missions isn't vacationing so we need to be careful who we send. Never withhold the gospel, but trust God to take care of you.

…7As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. 9Do not carry any gold or silver or copper in your belts.… Matthew 10: 7-9


Vs. 13-14 Those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple - This is a reference back to the Levitical priesthood. They received a portion of the sacrifices and tithes given at the temple, as the Levites also served in the keeping of the temple and the ceremonies. 

First, if ministers are required to support themselves, the danger is that they will be forced to become men of the world when they should be men of prayer and the Word. Ministers ought not to go into real estate, investments, gold and silver, playing the stock market or whatever. These distract a man of God from his number one task which is to pray and minister the Word. The normative principle is that a minister is never to seek support from a secular occupation unless it is a particular, special case such as Paul and Barnabas.

Second, a minister should be paid well enough so as to keep his mind from worldly things such as where his next dollar is coming from. He should receive an amount of money which would make him free from the basic cares of the world. He should not be rich nor should he live in poverty simply because he is in the ministry.

Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God (Prov. 30:8-9). - PA

…5The priest shall burn them on the altar as an offering made by fire to the LORD; it is a guilt offering. 6Every male among the priests may eat of it. It must be eaten in a holy place; it is most holy. 7The guilt offering is like the sin offering; the same law applies to both. It belongs to the priest who makes atonement with it.…
…8As for the priest who presents a burnt offering for anyone, the hide of that offering belongs to him. 9Likewise, every grain offering that is baked in an oven or cooked in a pan or on a griddle belongs to the priest who presents it, 10and every grain offering, whether dry or mixed with oil, belongs equally to all the sons of Aaron.… Leviticus 7: 5-10
































































































Monday, September 28, 2026

#1679 1 Corinthians 8 Puffy

 



Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone thinks that he has known anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; 3 but if anyone loves God, he has been known by Him.

4 Therefore, concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

7 However, not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But food will not commend us to God. We neither lack if we do not eat, nor abound if we do eat. 9 But see to it that this authority of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be built up to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11 For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died. 12 And in that way, by sinning against the brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again—ever, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble. 1 Corinthians 8: 1-13 LSB

1 Corinthians 8: 1-13

V. 1 Now concerning things offered to idols - Paul is going to answer another question that they sent him. There are some things that the Bible does not speak directly to, and though it does speak directly to idolatry, we know that an idol is an invention of a man's mind, and a Christian is not bound by any idol because it's not real. So buying food that was sacrificed to an idol would not change anything about the meat; it' still just meat. The original dietary laws were to keep Israel separate from their neighbors who did worship idols. 

1While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab, 2who also invited them to the sacrifices for their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to these gods. 3So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them.… Numbers 25: 1-3


…14For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. 15Do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices. 16And when you take some of their daughters as brides for your sons, their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to do the same.… Exodus 34:14-16


…2“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3You shall have no other gods before Me. 4You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in the heavens above, on the earth below, or in the waters beneath.… Exodus 20: 2-4


Vs. 1b-3 Knowledge puffs up but love builds up - You could study and be able to regurgitate a lot of facts and quotable quotes. You could be completely sound in your doctrine, which we are commanded to be, but if you don't have love it is nothing. We take the things, the knowledge God has afforded us, and we allow ourselves to be seduced by pride, thinking that we arrived to such knowledge because we are smarter or greater than those around us, that the gospel was something we attained rather than a gracious gift. The author is not against knowledge; he is against having only that. In fact, the problem arises that one has only partial knowledge and his boasting shows ignorance. 

Arnold - This is a subtle slam at the Corinthians who prided themselves on their knowledge. Human knowledge on this earth is at best incomplete and partial. Any time a stronger brother looks down his nose at a weaker brother for not exercising a Christian liberty, or a weaker brother judges a strong brother for practicing some liberty, he must remember his knowledge is incomplete. We often judge motives and forget that our ability to grasp the whole situation with all the facts is incomplete. We not only do not know motives when we see a brother refraining or practicing some doubtful thing, but also our knowledge of the whole action is usually limited, insufficient and incomplete. When solving the problem of questionable practices, knowledge, doctrine and logic is not enough. There must be love (1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Questionable Practices At Corinth)

Hodge - Compare 1 John 4:7, 8. “Every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God; he that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love.” This is the precise sentiment of the text. Love is essential to knowledge. He that loves God, knows God. The apostle in this connection interchanges love of the brethren and the love of God, because the love of the brethren is only one of the forms in which the love of God manifests itself. When he said, “Love edifieth,” he meant love to the brethren, and without that love, he says, there can be no true knowledge; but if a man love God, (which includes love to the brethren,) the same is known of him. (1 Corinthians 8 Commentary)

MacArthur on knowledge - The statement was true but egotistical. It reflected a feeling of superiority. The believers who made the claim were not suggesting they were omniscient, but that they had more than enough knowledge and understanding of God’s Word to know that pagan gods and idols were not real and that food sacrificed to them was still just food. They knew that eating the food could not contaminate them spiritually, that it had no affect on their Christian lives. They felt totally free to eat whatever they wanted, no matter what others thought. But they are reminded that knowledge makes arrogant. Those believers were mature in knowledge, but were not mature in love. Love edifies, or builds up others; and that edification they did not have. They were solid in doctrine but weak in love. They were strong in self-love but weak in brotherly love. - PA

…5You will stumble by day, and the prophet will stumble with you by night; so I will destroy your mother— 6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children. 7The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; they exchanged their Glory for a thing of disgrace.… Hosea 4: 5-7


1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.… 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3

V. 4 We know that an idol is nothing - Paul is in agreement with their knowledge. They have come to the right conclusion logically, but he has to address their pride. Think about it, the devil has better theology than we do. He knows more about God, has watched God's work in the world and the heavens for thousands of years, but this knowledge is not salvific. He stood in the presence of God but nurtured the thought of being God, his pride over how he looked and what he knew, though he did not make himself, yet led him to want to be something he could not. God is not a created being, but Lucifer, you, me and everyone else is, and so it is delusional to not acknowledge God or His place above His creation. 

…15And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: 16“O LORD of Hosts, God of Israel, enthroned above the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You made the heavens and the earth. 17Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see. Listen to all the words that Sennacherib has sent to defy the living God.… Isaiah 37: 15-17


…4Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. 5They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; 6they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell;…
…7they have hands, but cannot feel; they have feet, but cannot walk; they cannot even clear their throats. 8Those who make them become like them, as do all who trust in them. 9O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield.… Psalm 115: 4-9


V. 5 For even if there are so-called gods - In the Greek and Roman mind there were many, but they only existed in the imagination. They even had a memorial to the unknown God, just in case they missed one. 

22Then Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious. 23For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you. 24The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands.… Acts 17: 22-24


V. 6 For us there is one God, the Father, from Whom are all things, and we exist for Him, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things and we exist through Him - There is no room for pride, for everything was created by God. There is no room for it in our salvation either, for this solely belongs to the Lord. 

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.… John 1: 1-3


…25God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that crawls upon the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 26Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness, to rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, and over all the earth itself and every creature that crawls upon it.” 27So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.… Genesis 1: 25-27

And one Lord (kurios), Jesus (Iesous) Christ (Christos), by Whom are all things - Kurios, means Master. Paul says we have one Master, the Lord Jesus Christ Who is the Creator of everything. He is ascribing deity to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:16-17 For by Him (JESUS) all things were created (JESUS IS THE CREATOR), both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together (JESUS IS THE SUSTAINER OF HIS CREATION!).

Hebrews 1:2-3 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, Whom He appointed heir of all things, through Whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power (JESUS IS THE SUSTAINER OF HIS CREATION). When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, - PA

V. 7 However, not all men have this knowledge - Paul is taking them from what he agrees with them on to the reality of what their knowledge is lacking. Yes, you are right, but what about your weaker brother? He used to worship these idols, participate in the orgies at their temples, carry around good luck charms, talismans, or amulets that would protect him from evil or bring good fortune. It is interesting that this was a problem back then, because I see people do that with the saints in Roman Catholicism, or praying to Mary. It is an attempt at blending the pagan with Christianity, which is where the weaker brothers will end up taking it, and becoming part of something that is no longer Biblical Christianity, and they end up worshiping another Christ. 



V. 8 But food will not commend us to God - I was a vegetarian for a bit because I was hanging out with some college kids who all went to church together and had invited me to come along. We didn't spend much time studying God's word, had no idea that context was key, but someone had mentioned that Daniel ate vegetables, and that our first parents, Adam and Eve, lived before death entered the world, so they were vegan. Besides that I also hung out at a lot of coffee shops with my other friends who thought being a vegetarian was deep and spiritually enlightened. But, Paul says, "food will not commend us to God." I believe we shouldn't be gluttons, that is not taking care of our body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit, but whatever someone puts in front of me to eat, within moral reason, I will accept graciously. 

…15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. 16Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. 17These are a shadow of the things to come, but the body that casts it belongs to Christ.… Colossians 2: 15-17

Vs. 9-10 Be built up to eat things sacrificed to idols - You are just eating meat, but your weaker brother can't eat it without connecting it to the idol worship. We have to be careful here because both parties can be immature in a way. The one who looks down at the weaker brother because it is a stumbling block, and the weaker brother who looks at the one for whom it is not a stumbling block, but places that brother's actions on the same level as those things to which God has called sin. Him eating the meat doesn't mean he worships other gods. It doesn't mean that he agrees with pagan practices. There are also those who relish their "freedom" so that it is all they talk about, just like those who pride themselves on what they don't eat. Many times they are the weaker and lead the even weaker toward antinomianism, where the line can be moved based upon how you feel or spin it. Adultery is still adultery in God's eyes, but some will say that porn isn't wrong because it is private, or isn't going out and committing the actual act. Some will spew and curse all sorts of hateful things about others, and commend themselves that it is "righteous anger." 

27You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.… Matthew 5: 27-29

…17After Jesus had left the crowd and gone into the house, His disciples inquired about the parable. 18“Are you still so dull?” He asked. “ Do you not understand? Nothing that enters a man from the outside can defile him, 19because it does not enter his heart, but it goes into the stomach and then is eliminated.” (Thus all foods are clean.)… Mark 7: 17-19

…20He continued: “What comes out of a man, that is what defiles him. 21For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness.… Mark 7: 20-22


MacArthur- if a Christian who has a conscience that is weak sees a mature believer eating in the temple, the weak brother is likely to be tempted to go against his own conscience and to eat in the temple himself. That could be dangerous to him, causing him to go against his own conscience.

Here is the point - The weaker brother is learning how to ignore his conscience—a dangerous thing to learn! - PA

V. 11 He who is weak is ruined - He is committing sin.

Is ruined (622) apollumi from apo = away from or wholly + olethros = state of utter ruin) as it relates to men, is not the loss of being per se, but is more the loss of well-being. It means to ruin so that the person ruined can no longer serve the use for which he was designed. To render useless. The gospel promises everlasting life for the one who believes. The failure to possess this life will result in utter ruin and eternal uselessness (but not a cessation of existence). Apollumi then has the basic meaning of describing that which is ruined and is no longer usable for its intended purpose. - PA

V. 12 You sin against Christ - This is directed to the "stronger" brother. He is strong in the sense of knowledge, but lacks the love that will lay aside his personal freedom. I knew a man once who would go to business gatherings where there was an open bar, but he would always have just a coke and or water, but never make a big deal of it. I asked him about it, and he said that while he in no way saw alcohol as evil, that the evil associated with it was always a matter of men's hearts and choices, he found abstinence better so that he wouldn't cause someone else to stumble. I used to drink until I got bleeding ulcers from it and started hacking up blood, and I quit because it wasn't a good investment.  After I was healthy, I decided to limit it to stay healthy but also because I didn't want to put my family in a bad position because of a DUI, or be a stumbling block for my kids. We still have an occasional drink at home and cook with all sorts of beer and wine, but the Bible is clear about excess.

…17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,… Ephesians 5: 17-19

V. 13 If food causes my brother to stumble - Paul won't buy the temple meat for the sake of the weaker brother. 

Arnold - Notice what Paul concluded. He did not say, "I'll eat just a little meat,” or "I won’t eat when a weaker brother is around.” No! He would not eat meat ever if that is what it took to help a weaker brother understand grace. As far as Paul was concerned, he was willing to forego any rights or privileges in order to keep a brother from stumbling and maintain the unity of the body of Christ. Paul’s position was, "When in doubt, don’t do it!" He did not walk the thin line between what is doubtful and what is sin. The important thing to him was not his own rights, nor his own comforts or his own pleasures, but the well-being of all Christians. Paul chose to operate on a higher principle than knowledge. He operated on the highest principle which is love. "It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to go to far (Rom. 14:21). (1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Questionable Practices At Corinth)





















































































Saturday, September 12, 2026

#1678 1 Corinthians 7 Part 2 In This Manner Let Him Walk

 





12 But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not divorce her husband. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. For otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. 15 Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave. The brother or the sister is not enslaved in such cases, but God has called us to peace. 16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches. 18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.

21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it. But if you are able also to become free, rather do that. 22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brothers, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.

25 Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy. 26 I think then that this is good because of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you. 29 But this I say, brothers, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; 30 and those who cry, as though they did not cry; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; 31 and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it. For the form of this world is passing away.

32 But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. 33 But one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and his interests have been divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit. But one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 Now this I say for your own benefit, not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote propriety and undistracted devotion to the Lord.

36 But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry. 37 But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no compulsion, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, he will do well. 38 So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.

39 A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband has fallen asleep, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I also have the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 7: 12-40 LSB

1 Corinthians 7: 12-40

Vs. 12-16 To the rest I say, not the Lord - This is an interesting distinction, Paul does not roll through this leaving the impression that this is a direct revelation, and so I have heard some write off these places merely as opinion. I have chosen to cover a much larger section here because of this and mostly because of the context, everything here intersects. In verse 40 Paul explains the depth of his opinion, stating, "And I think that I also have the Spirit of God." He is deriving these opinions or doctrines from what has been clearly taught in Scripture, and by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This is, as previously discussed, an answer to the Corinthians' questions to Paul concerning such matters. In verse 10 of the previous section of chapter 7 he says, "To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.' V. 11 continues, 'But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else become reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife." Note, the "not I, but the Lord", and this is a solid foundation to build the rest of our understanding from.


In verses 12 and 13 we see Paul teach that we are not to leave our unbelieving spouses. V. 14, because the unbelieving is sanctified by the believing, but don't confuse this with saved, as Paul clarifies this in v. 16, "how do you know whether you will save your unbelieving wife?" V. 15 tells us to let the unbelieving one leave if they want to, and in so far as your relationship to them you are free, but not to your children, for the Scriptures are clear about those who do not take care of their family.

MacArthur - This does not refer to salvation; otherwise the spouse would not be spoken of as unbelieving. The sanctification is matrimonial and familial, not personal or spiritual, and means that the unsaved partner is set apart for temporal blessing because the other belongs to God. One Christian in a marriage brings grace that spills over on the spouse—even possibly leading them to salvation. (Study Bible) - Precept Austin

MacArthur on otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy - The Christian need not separate from an unbeliever because of fear that the unbelieving spouse may defile the children. God promises the opposite. They would be unclean if both parents were unsaved, but the presence of one believing parent exposes the children to blessing and brings them protection. The presence of even one Christian parent will protect children from undue spiritual harm and they will receive many blessings, and often that includes salvation.

ILLUSTRATION - A young woman came up to me after the service one Sunday morning and told me that when she was growing up her grandmother was the only Christian in the family. The grandmother used to speak of her love for Christ and witnessed to the family in what she said and by what she did. Eventually, three of the four grandchildren came to know the Lord, and each one declared that their grandmother had the greatest influence on their decision for Christ. (John MacArthur) - PA

…15Has not the LORD made them one, having a portion of the Spirit? And why one? Because He seeks godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. 16“For I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. “He who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,” says the LORD of Hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit and do not break faith. 17You have wearied the LORD with your words; yet you ask, “How have we wearied Him?” By saying, “All who do evil are good in the sight of the LORD, and in them He delights,” or, “Where is the God of justice?”… Malachi 2: 15-17


…3Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?” 4 Jesus answered, “ Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?…
…6So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” 7“Why then,” they asked, “did Moses order a man to give his wife a certificate of divorce and send her away?” 8Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart; but it was not this way from the beginning.… Matthew 19: 3-8


…7Give these instructions to the believers, so that they will be above reproach. 8 If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, the wife of one man,… 1 Timothy 5: 7-9

Vs. 17-24 And so I direct in all the churches - This was not a geographical thing, a thing of the time, this was a universal statement. We don't become saved and then say, I am out of here to our spouse, or even if a slave, our greater interest lies not in social justice but in serving God where we are at. In verse 21 he says, "if you are able also to become free, do that," because you are now the slave of Christ. People often think that slavery was always against someone's will, but often people sold themselves to indenturement, and people do similar today with heaping monstrous debts upon themselves, for the Bible tells us that the borrower is servant to the lender. Also he gives instruction not to come under the bondage of the ceremonial laws, the shadows that were fulfilled in Christ. Don't be detracted by Judaizers who come in and say that you have to be circumcised, that is not the case. The dietary restrictions had been lifted, as those were to keep the Jewish people separate from the world physically, but now that separation has entered the heart, so that we are in the world but not of it. We no longer make sacrifices because those were a mere shadow of what was to be fulfilled in the ultimate sacrifice, which was Christ. All those spotless lambs pointed to Jesus. He tells us, "don't become slaves of men", and that is both literal and physical, but also in ideology, don't bound yourself to what God is not saying. 

…15Whoever strikes his father or mother must surely be put to death. 16Whoever kidnaps another man must be put to death, whether he sells him or the man is found in his possession. 17Anyone who curses his father or mother must surely be put to death.… Exodus 21: 15-17


8So although in Christ I am bold enough to order you to do what is proper, 9 I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well. 10I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whose father I became while I was in chains.…
…11Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. 12 I am sending back to you him who is my very heart. 13I would have liked to keep him with me, so that on your behalf he could minister to me in my chains for the gospel.…
…14But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will. 15For perhaps this is why he was separated from you for a while, so that you might have him back for good— 16no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a beloved brother. He is especially beloved to me, but even more so to you, both in person and in the Lord.…
…17So if you consider me a partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge it to my account. 19I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self.…
…20Yes, brother, let me have some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ. 21Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. 22In the meantime, prepare a guest room for me, because I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.… Philemon 1: 8-22

Vs. 25-35 Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife - Again Paul recognizes the freedom here, that you are not constrained to provide for a wife if you don't have one, and you may be solely focused upon the things of the Lord, the ministry, but again, in context, we know that this is a gift that not everyone has. Many people have looked upon the state itself as a sign of holiness and removed themselves from the world to live a monastic life, which is an invention of the religious deceived. The idea in this passage is first that one has the gift of celibacy, does not have the need or desire to marry, but will remain pure in this, as it is ungodly to pursue sexual relations outside of marriage. Secondly, it is not to go live in a monastery and chant all day, it is not to dress a certain way, or to be a part of some separate sisterhood or brotherhood that lives off the charity of others so you may be fully devoted to what you call godliness. Whether married or unmarried the priority should be the Lord within those context, but marriage is a transient thing, subject to time and space, and not the final state of eternity. One cannot throw off their obligations to God siting that they are married, no, you have to love your wife as Christ loved the Church and raise up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Pastors are most often married, and marriage, family is but an additional responsibility. He still must study, teach and guide the flock to the correct pastures, yet his family must also not be deprived. 

Arnold - Paul is not saying marriage automatically brings trouble into one’s life, although many can testify to the fact that while marriage lifted some major pressures, it added many more cares: education, food, clothing, housing, bills, in-laws, etc. It may be more fun to live with someone else but it is certainly much more complicated. However, Paul is thinking about trouble in times of crisis due to persecution. It is one thing for a man to face persecution and even martyrdom, but it is quite another to bring this upon his wife and children. A man might be brave but turn coward at the sight of his wife and children being persecuted because of his personal faith in Christ. Paul’s point is that in times of crisis, single life has advantages. Singles can be more flexible, can adapt more readily to certain cataclysmic conditions, can pick up and move if necessary, and can act without handling the affairs of others for whom they are responsible. Paul is not putting down marriage but is suggesting that for some singlehood might be the better course to take because marriage increases responsibilities. - PA

36A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; 38and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.… Matthew 10: 36-38


1“I have told you these things so that you will not fall away. 2They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. 3They will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me.… John 16: 1-3


…20For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rise against their parents and have them put to death. 22You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.… Matthew 10: 20-22


Horatius Bonar - IF WE WOULD AIM AT a holy and useful life, let us learn to redeem time. "I am large about redeeming time," says Richard Baxter in the preface to his Christian Directory, "because therein the sum of a holy, obedient life is included." Yes; "let us redeem the time, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5). A wasted life is the result of unredeemed time. Desultory working, impulsive giving, fitful planning, irregular reading, ill-assorted hours, perfunctory or unpunctual execution of business, hurry and bustle, loitering and unreadiness - these, and such like, are the things that take the power from life, hinder holiness, and eat like a canker into our moral being. Misuse of time makes success and progress an impossibility, either in things temporal or spiritual.

There needs not to be routine, but there must be regularity; there ought not to be mechanical stiffness, but there must be order; there may not be haste, but there must be no trifling with our own time or that of others; "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10). If the thing is worth doing at all, it is worth doing well; and, in little things as well as great, we must show that we are in earnest. There must be no idling, but a girding up of the loins; a running the race with patience; the warring of a good warfare. The call is to be "steadfast and. . .always abounding in the work of the Lord."

The flowers are constant in their growing, the stars are constant in their courses; the rivers are constant in the flowing - they lose not time. So must our life be, not one of fits, or starts, or random impulses, not one of levity or inconstancy, or fickle scheming, but steady and resolute. We must be resolute men and women, those who know their earthly mission and have their eye upon the heavenly goal. - PA

Vs. 36-38 If she is past her youth - No longer a child. The father does no wrong in letting his daughter marry if that is her wish, but I think this passage is also important because it should not be our goal and aim to be match making, pushing our children towards marriage, highlighting that some have the gift of singleness. Some fathers in that time probably felt compelled to marry them off because who will take care of her when I die? Giving your daughter in marriage you do well, but keeping her you do better. Notice, he keeps her, he doesn't send her off to a monastery to live with a bunch of other women or to be bothered by creepy "priests". We need to remember that some, not many, will have that gift and we shouldn't try to pressure them away from it. We should also be praying that when our children do want to marry that they find those to which they can honor God with by being equally yoked. 

13As a fair exchange, I ask you as my children: Open wide your hearts also. 14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?… 2 Corinthians 6: 13-15

Vs. 39-40 A wife is bound as long as her husband lives -  After this she is free to remarry or to remain single. Paul states that she will probably be happier at this point remaining single, because she will no longer have the responsibilities that come with marriage nor being under the headship of a husband. She can serve the Lord now outside of the prior arrangement. 

Jon Courson - Throughout the centuries, people have read I Corinthians 7 and concluded that, because he speaks so highly of the single state, Paul has a problem with marriage. But that is because they fail to take into account Paul’s full counsel—for in his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul elevates marriage to a place of utmost glory when he uses it as an illustration for no less a relationship than that of Christ and the Church.

The way a husband lays down his life for his wife and the way a wife submits to her husband is a powerful illustration which can be seen on every street in every neighborhood. Bunches of people aren’t into church, so the Lord brings the Church to them through the illustration of marriage wherein people see how much He loves the Church and how the Church submits to Him. It’s an awesome responsibility for all who are married. That is not to say people need to see perfection—just something remarkably different than what they see in society.

And yet, as seen here in I Corinthians 7, Paul says singleness has its own unique beauty, its own important role to play in the Body. The single state is not to be looked down upon, dreaded, or merely endured. Those who are called to a single life or who find themselves in a single state fulfill a very real function—to serve the Lord with spontaneity and without distraction.

Marriage is a picture, but, in a sense, singleness can be the reality—for it is the single person uniquely who can say, ‘I am married to You, Lord. You are my Husband, my Love, my best Friend. And I will be devoted to you single-heartedly for as long as You have me in this state.’

Whether single or married, widowed or divorced—be content wherever God has you. And whatever your position, make Jesus your passion. (A Day's Journey)