1 Corinthians - Division, Gifts, Marriage, Love, & Resurrection
Session 12 – Live as You Are Called
(1 Corinthians 7:17-40)
What happens in Corinth…stays in Corinth!
It was an ancient day “Hollywood, Las Vegas, and New York” with all the immorality and debauchery of
today.

Map of Greece / Asia Minor (Modern day Turkey):
Corinth
Olympia
Athens
Thessalonica
Philippi
Ephesus
Smyrna
Pergamos
Sardis
Laodicea

(Halley’s Bible Handbook)
Corinth lies 56 miles west of Athens, on the narrow strip of land (isthmus) between the Peloponnesus and
the Greek mainland. Ever since the Golden Age of Greece, Athens had been the leading cultural center,
but under Roman rule, Corinth had been made the capital of the Roman province called Achaia (which
also included Athens) and was the most important city in the country. Land traffic between the north and
south had to pass the city, and much of the commerce between Rome and the East was brought to its
harbors.

Paul visited Corinth for the first time on his second missionary journey (Acts 18). He became acquainted
with Aquila and Priscilla, fellow Christians and, like himself, tentmakers. During his stay of 1 ½ years he
lived at their home. Paul later wrote two New Testament letters to that church and at least two other

letters, now lost (1 Cor 5:9) and the severe letter (2 Cor 7:8). Paul also wrote the letter to the Romans
while in Corinth (Romans 16:23).
(Chuck Missler – 1&2 Corinthians Commentary 1995)
Occasion of 1 Corinthians
Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthian church, a letter which apparently perished (1 Cor 5:9). (Some
scholars believe it is preserved as 2 Cor 6:14-7:1.) This letter had been misunderstood (1 Cor 5:9-10) and
Paul mentions it to clear up a misconception. [Remember: The chapters were not divided up until the 13th
century; the verses not until the 16th.] The household of Chloe brought him news of cliques in the church
(1 Cor 1:11) and the church wrote him a letter (re: 1 Cor 7:1), presumably brought to Ephesus by
Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus (1 Cor 16:17) who probably added their own comments. The
situation was serious. Paul responded with the letter we know as 1 Corinthians.

The “Painful visit”
The situation worsened. Paul felt it necessary to leave his work in Ephesus and pay a hurried visit in the
attempt to set things right. (This visit is implied in passages in 2 Corinthians, which speak of Paul as being
ready to pay a third visit to Corinth (2 Cor 12:14; 13:1; his second visit is past, 13:2).
His references to “coming again in sorrow” (2 Cor 2:1) indicate that this visit had been an unpleasant one.
It failed to clear up the situation and Paul went away profoundly disturbed.
The “Severe Letter”
Paul determined to write another letter, obviously very severe in tone, and it cost him much to write (2
Cor 2:4; 7:8). Had it not been successful it might conceivably have meant a final rupture between Paul
and this church he had founded. This letter seems to have been lost. (Many scholars feel part of it is
preserved in 2 Cor 10-13.) The letter was apparently taken by Titus, who was to return via Macedonia and
Troas. Paul was impatient to know how it had been received. When he eventually catches up to Titus, he
learns that all is well (2 Cor 2:12-17; 7:5-7, 13). Out of his great relief and joy, Paul wrote the letter we
call 2 Corinthians. Almost certainly he visited the church soon afterwards.
Three Visits:
1) When church was founded;
2) The “painful” visit;
3) A visit after 2 Corinthians had been sent.
Four letters:
1) The “Previous Letter”;
2) 1 Corinthians;
3) The “Severe Letter”;
4) 2 Corinthians.

Authorship
There is no doubt that Paul is the author. He is cited as the author in 1 Clement 47:1, a first century letter,
and freely quoted by Ignatius and Polycarp; plus subsequent frequent references.

The church at Corinth is the “carnal church.” Spiritual babes, immature and undeveloped spiritually.
Unseparated from the world. They have only a minimum of doctrine; what they have is mostly practical,
conduct-related.
Paul addresses the following:
Discipline, Chapter 5;
Going to Law, Chapter 6;
Marriage and Divorce, Chapter 7;
Christian Liberty, Chapters 8, 9, 10;
Lord’s Table, Chapter 11;
Tongues, Chapters 12-14;
Resurrection, Chapter 15.
Contrast:
1) Exciting speech of men vs. the Spirit filled preaching of Paul.
2) Wisdom of the world vs. the wisdom of God.
3) The spirit of the world vs. the Spirit of God.
4) The natural man vs. the spiritual man.

In Roman times Corinth was a city of wealth, luxury, and immorality – with a growing population that
reached more than 300,000 free citizens and 460,000 slaves in the 2 nd century A.D. The theater in Paul’s
day seated 14,000 spectators. In the past, more than 1,000 hierodouloi – temple prostitutes – had been
active in pagan worship rites, but these practices probably had ceased by Paul’s time, although the
memory of that era was still fresh. “To live like a Corinthian” meant to live a life of sexual immorality and
drunkenness. This was the Temple of Aphrodite. The Isthmian games, held every two years, made
Corinth a great center of Hellenic life. (The Olympian Games were held every four years at Olympia, some
100 miles west of Corinth).

READ (All) 1 Corinthians 7:17-40
An overarching principle: live as you are called.
1) (1 Corinthians 7:17) Right now, where you are in life, you can live for God.
[17] But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so
let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.
a) As the Lord has called each one, so let him walk: Wherever you are in life; married,
remarried, single, divorced or widowed, just stick it out. Don’t think that once your relational
situation changes, then you can walk for the Lord. If you are in your second marriage, don’t think
that you need to leave your wife and go back and make things right with your first wife. Just walk
in the place that you are in right now.
i) Why do people look at other people and think that they have a better life than
they do?

2) (1 Corinthians 7:18-20) Paul uses circumcision to show this principle.
[18-20] Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become
uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be
circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping
the commandments of God is what matters. Let each one remain in the same
calling in which he was called.

a) Was anyone called while circumcised? Paul is saying that not only in your marital situation,
but also in every area of your life – just be who you are. If you are a Jew, then be a believing Jew.
If you are a Gentile, then be a believing Gentile.
b) Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing: Circumcision is just an example, but
Paul’s point is to serve God in whatever marital state you are at right now. He could have simply
said, “It doesn’t matter if you are married or unmarried, just keep the commandments of God.”
i) Why do people get distracted from keeping the commandments of God?
3) (1 Corinthians 7:21-24) The practice of slavery used as another example of this principle.
[21-24] Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you
can be made free, rather use it. For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is
the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. You
were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Brethren, let each one
remain with God in that state in which he was called.
a) Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it: Do all things for glory of God
in the spirit of contentment. If the slave thinks that he/she can do more or better if he was free is
just a distraction. All of us need to serve God just in the state that we are all in currently.
b) For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman: The dynamic of
Christianity is that the slave is free in Christ and the free man is a slave to Christ.
Romans 1:1 (NKJV), “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an
apostle, separated to the gospel of God.”
c) You were bought at a price: Sports players get paid millions of dollars to play for major league
and NFL teams. So, those men are VERY well cared for because of the great investment in them.
No amount of money compares to the blood of Christ that was paid for you. Therefore, Jesus is
going to see to it that you are very well cared for. Whatever comes into our lives is for our good
and His plan is perfect for our lives.
i) Why don’t we sometimes see the benefit from life’s ups and downs?
4) (1 Corinthians 7:25-28) Paul view is that marriage is good and singleness has its benefits.
[25-28] Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I
give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy. I
suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress — that it
is good for a man to remain as he is: Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be
loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But even if you do
marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned.
Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.
a) It is good for a man to remain as he is: Once again Paul is saying that remaining single will
allow you to be singularly focused on the work of the Kingdom of God.
i) Why is it hard to remain in singleness?
b) Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not
seek a wife: Simple statement from Paul, if you are married, then stay married and if you are
single then don’t “strive” (seek) for a wife.

i) When looking for a mate make sure that you are compatible romantically attracted, personally
connected and spiritually united in your priorities, zeal and intensity of heart. Adam didn’t beat
the bushes to find a mate, he simply rested in the Lord.
ii) Write down you top 7 attributes in a mate. Where is the best place to find
someone with those attributes?

5) (1 Corinthians 7:29-31) Do not get too attached to a world that is passing away.
[29-31] But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even
those who have wives should be as though they had none, those who weep as
though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice,
those who buy as though they did not possess, and those who use this world as
not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.
a) The time is short: Paul here is declare what some of us know to be true. Life is short. Whether
the Lord comes back for us today or whether you live a full life, both of those are closer today than
they have ever been.
Psalm 39:5 (NKJV), “Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my
age is as nothing before you; certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.”
i) There are three obstacles that keep us from investing in the Kingdom of God:
(1 Even those who have wives should be as though they had none: First, family
relationships cause us to miss out on engaging in Kingdom work because of our
responsibilities.
(2 Those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they
did not rejoice: Second, our emotions keep us from focusing on eternity’s values. We
focus on ourselves, and it causes us to be depressed or discouraged. So, get involved with
how others are doing.

Romans 12:15 (NKJV), “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those
who weep.”

(3 Those who buy as though they did not possess, and those who use this world as
not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away: Third, possessions can
be an obstacle to seeing the big picture of the Kingdom. When we are too busy with our
investments, fashion, or what we drive, then we will be too preoccupied to engage in
ministry.

b) The form of this world is passing away: There is nothing lasting in this world system, so let’s
not act as if there is permanent value in things.
i) Family relationships, emotions, and possessions. Which of these three is an
obstacle for you?

6) (1 Corinthians 7:32-35) Unmarried people have less distractions.
[32-35] But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the
things of the Lord — how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares
about the things of the world — how he may please his wife. There is a
difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the
things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who

is married cares about the things of the world — how she may please her
husband. And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you,
but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.
a) He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord: Here, Paul simply recognizes that
when a person doesn’t have family responsibilities, they are more “free” to serve God. This was the
main reason Paul considered the unmarried state preferable for himself.
b) He who is married cares about the things of the world; how he may please his wife: If
you are married you will inevitably find yourself caring for your spouse, and that is the way it
should be. But, it will be a distraction nonetheless from the freedom that a single person has.
i) What are some of the benefits of singleness?
7) (1 Corinthians 7:36-38) The Corinthians want to know if they should arrange a marriage
for their daughters.
[36-38] But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she
is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He
does not sin; let them marry. Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart,
having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in
his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. So then he who gives her in
marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.
a) If any man thinks he is behaving improperly towards his virgin: After talking about the
freedom found in the single state, in Paul’s day of arranged marriages, he goes on to talk to fathers
about their unmarried daughters, saying that if their daughters want to marry, that it was
acceptable.
b) He who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does
better: For Paul, the choice between married and single was not the choice between good and
bad, but between better and best. And for Paul, in light of the present circumstances, he regarded
singleness as best.
8) (1 Corinthians 7:39-40) Direction for widows and remarriage.
[39-40] A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband
dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. But
she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment; and I think I
also have the Spirit of God.
a) If her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married: A clarifying question from the
Corinthians. Paul tells the Corinthian believers that a wife is bound to her husband until death
separates them. After that, she is at liberty to marry anyone she wishes as long as he is a believer
and the Lord so guides her.
i) People have read 1 Corinthians 7 and have come to the conclusion that Paul prefers the single
state and has problems with marriage. But Paul elevates marriage to a place of utmost glory
when he uses it as an illustration of the relationship that Christ has with the church.
Ephesians 5:25-27 (NKJV), “Husbands, love your wives, just Christ also loved
the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her
with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a

glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she
should be holy and without blemish.”
b) But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment: Again, Paul will
affirm celibacy, but not because sex itself is evil (as some of the Corinthian Christians thought).
Instead, the unmarried state can be superior because it offers a person (if they are so gifted) more
opportunity to serve God.
i) Whether singled or married, widowed or divorced, be content where God has you. And, what
ever your position is, make sure that Jesus is your passion.
ii) How can you become content in your current relational state?