1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Personal Study Guide
November 24, 2019

INTRODUCTION

This inductive Bible study is designed to walk you through a particular passage and help you study it thoroughly. It is divided into five parts or “steps” which will guide you from a larger, broader perspective down to a more narrow, tightened understanding of the text. This guide also contains additional components, such as Going Deeper and Further Study, to help you as you work through the text.

1. DISCOVERING THE PASSAGE
2. IDENTIFYING THE STRUCTURE
3. FOCUSING ON KEY WORDS
4. CONNECTING TO THE WHOLE
5. APPLYING THE TEXT

Beginning with the day after your growth group meets, we encourage you to get alone with God and follow the instructions provided in this guide. Each step has specific guidelines followed by questions. We trust if you faithfully use this study to meet with the LORD each day not only will your personal walk with the LORD grow deeper but your growth group experience will be enhanced as well.

As we continue in our study of 1 Corinthians 7, Paul takes a brief sidebar in verses 17-24 to deal with a specific principle that will guide the Corinthian believers in areas such as marriage, divorce, singleness, and widowhood. The principle is summarized in v. 17 when Paul says that one should remain in the state in which he or she was when God called them, that is, married or unmarried. The underlying principle Paul is addressing is that the decision to change one’s status (from married to unmarried or vice versa) should not be made on the false assumption that one status is more spiritual than the other.

Paul employs the two illustrations of circumcision and slavery to prove that God’s grace comes to his children regardless of their social status or situation. Our status, although changeable (v. 21), does not provide additional favor or merit with God one way or the other.

1. DISCOVERING THE PASSAGE

Discovering the Passage seeks to get an overall idea of the meaning of the passage. Think bigpicture. Pray for God to open your eyes to the meaning of Scripture.

Read 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 three times

• First, read for general understanding of the passage
• Second, read looking for major themes
• Third, read trying to discern the main idea

Now, prayerfully and meditatively, answer the following questions below
Questions

  1. After reading 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, what is(are) the primary issue(s) Paul is addressing in this passage?

  2. How does the argument of this passage connect to 7:1-16 and 7:25-40?

  3. According to this text does our religious or social status improve our status in the eyes of God? Why or why not?

  4. Is Paul giving a justification for slavery here? If not what is he doing?

  5. How does this passage reveal that our identity in Christ is more important than our circumstances in life?

2. IDENTIFYING THE STRUCTURE

Identifying the Structure seeks to gain insight into why the author wrote the way he did. Try to think like the author. Pray for God to give you insight into the writing of the Scriptures.

Read 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 again*, looking for*:

• any connecting words in the passage (so that, for, because, etc.)
• the different types of sentences used (commands, questions, statements, rebukes, etc.)
• the divisions in the text (I.e. paragraphs, sentence breaks, etc.)

Now, prayerfully answer the questions below.

Questions

  1. What concept is repeated in verses 17, 20, and 24 that frames the core teaching of this passage?

  2. What example does Paul use in verses 18-19 to make his point about living the life to which God has called you? What example does he use in verses 21-23?

  3. Verse 19 begins with the word “for.” Why should individuals who are uncircumcised not seek circumcision and vice versa? What does Paul say is important in the eyes of God?

  4. Verse 24 gives the thrust of the passage. Regardless of condition, how are those who are called to remain?

3. FOCUSING ON KEY WORDS

Focusing on Key Words seeks to identify and contemplate the use and meaning of specific words or concepts within the text. Pray for God to open your eyes to words and concepts you’ve never seen before or have overlooked.

Read 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 again, paying attention to:

- repeated and/or emphasized words or names
- verbs (specifically those with unusual tenses)
- cross-references
- major themes

GOING DEEPER: Slavery in Corinth

In 1 Corinthians 7:21–23, Paul speaks of the slave (bondservant) and freedman. He is doing so in order to illustrate the truth that the believer can glorify God in whatever “condition in which he was called” (v. 20). Yet is highly important to understand that the Bible is not condoning or promoting slavery in this text. Scripture declares that the trafficking of human beings is sinful (1 Tim 1:10), yet slavery was a common and sad reality during the 1st Century in Greek and Roman Culture. In Corinth, it is estimated that at least one third of the population were slaves. Slavery during the 1st Century differed from the horrendous practice of slavery in America during the 18th and 19th centuries. 1st Century slavery was not based on race, but on social status. Nonetheless, slaves could still be treated harshly and they did not have any legal rights of their own. They could, however, purchase their own freedom with the aid of their masters. Thus Paul says in v. 21 “But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.” But the main point in vv. 21-23 is that those who were slaves in Corinth did not need to seek to immediately change their social status after they were converted to Christ in order to gain favor with God. Paul’s stress is on the new spiritual status that one has in Christ, which is far greater than a person’s social standing. (1 Cor 12:13; Gal 3:28). If they were converted as slave, they need to recognize they are spiritually free in the Lord. Likewise if they were converted as a freedman, they need to recognize themselves as a spiritual slave to the Lord (Romans 6:22).

Now prayerfully answer the questions below

Questions

  1. The word assigned is used in verse 17. What does this word communicate about Paul’s view of the sovereignty of God when it comes to our life circumstances?

  2. In verse 23 Paul commands us not to become bond servants of men. How does this argument apply to both free and slaves?

  3. In verse 22 how does Paul refer to bondservants? What does he call those who are free? What is his point in this?

  4. How does the definition of slave shift in v.23? How then does this bring conclusion to Paul’s illustration of slavery?

  5. Note how many times the word “called” is used in 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. Is this word used consistently or with different meanings?

4. CONNECTING TO THE WHOLE

Connecting to the Whole seeks to become aware of how key concepts and themes are seen elsewhere in Scripture. This is allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. Pray for God to help you see how this passage connects to the rest of the Bible.

Read 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 again, paying attention to how it builds and draws on other places in Scripture. Look for:

- common people, places, or ideas found other places in the Bible
- similar stories or phrases
- cross references

Now prayerfully and meditatively answer the questions below

Questions

  1. In 1 Corinthians 6:20, Paul uses the argument that we have been purchased with blood as a reason for the transformation of our sexual behavior. How does he use the argument in verse 23?

  2. Verse 17: The Spirit is saying to each disciple of Christ to humbly live the life that they were assigned to at the time of their calling to salvation. What further instructions did Paul give in Romans 12:3; 1 Corinthians 4:7; 12:4-7; & 1 Peter 4:10, 11 in this matter?

  3. Verse 18 teaches that when we were called to salvation we are not required to change our previous identity. The Jerusalem council in Acts 15 is a perfect example of how the early church handled the conversion and entry into the church of unconverted Gentiles. Read this chapter, paying special attention to verses 1, 5, 8 - 11, 19 - 21, & 22 - 29. Record the guidelines written to the Gentiles in Antioch and affirmed by the apostles, elders , & the whole church.

  4. In verse 19, Paul makes the connection of circumcision and law…. What really matters as a follower of Christ? Your previous religious identity or practices? Or what? Paul in his letter to the churches in Galatia was dealing with this issue as well. Read Galatians 3:28; 5:6; & 6:15, 16. What do these verses say about the core identity of a believer?

5. APPLYING THE TEXT

Applying the Text seeks to see people changed as the Word of God is brought to bear in the lives of individuals and communities (growth groups). Pray for God to reveal to you where you need to change and have the courage to take action.

Read 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 again and:

  • write down any unanswered questions that remain
  • write a paraphrase, in your own words, of the passage
  • decide on an action step as a response of obedience to the passage (I.e. make a lost friend with which to share the gospel, commit to praying with your spouse 10 minutes a day, etc.)

Now, prayerfully answer the questions below

Questions

  1. How can you use your unique situation in life to serve and honor God?

  2. In what ways do you view your current life-circumstances as limiting your service to the Lord?

  3. How do you wrongly judge brothers and sisters spiritual status by their social or religious background? How are you a slave to the opinion of others?

  4. In what ways has the culture dictated our life decisions more than the Word of God?

  5. Do you see yourself bound to the Lord more than to your job/employer, more than your family/kids, more than your preferences/reputation, more than your sports/hobbies? What evidence can you look at to see who or what you are bound to?

  6. How do you look down on people who don’t carry as much social status as you? Why is this wrong according to 7:23-24?

Prayer

Use the following prayer prompts to guide you in your prayers as a Growth Group:

For Your Growth Group

Ask the group what missionaries they know. Pray for them and the people they work among. If you aren’t connected to a missionary, Scott Paulding can help you find a connection.

For Parkwood

Pray for more missionary families to be sent out from Parkwood. Is it possible for 50 families from Parkwood to be sent out by 2050?

For Your Neighbors

Think about foreigners living in your neighborhood. Pray for them. If you don’t know any, make it a goal to discover and meet them.

For The Nations

Centuries ago along the Silk Road in Central Asia the church was planted and thrived. Today, however, Central Asians know little or nothing of their Christian History or of Christianity at all. In places like Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan the words “church” and “ Christian” produce strong negative feelings. Pray for open hearts among these nations.