back to index2015-08-06 Study of 1 Corinthians Part 2 - Week 2
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And likewise also, the husband does not have authority 00:00:16.800 |
and to come together again so that Satan will not tempt you 00:00:22.900 |
But this I say by way of concession, not a command. 00:00:27.140 |
Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. 00:00:39.480 |
that it is good for them if they remain even as I. 00:00:42.920 |
But if they do not have self-control, let them marry, 00:00:45.440 |
for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 00:00:54.140 |
If she does leave, she must remain unmarried, 00:00:58.640 |
and that the husband should not divorce his wife. 00:01:03.560 |
that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever 00:01:06.480 |
and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. 00:01:15.680 |
for the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, 00:01:25.940 |
Yet if the unbelieving ones leave, let him leave. 00:01:29.200 |
The brother or sister is not under bondage in such cases. 00:01:45.840 |
Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for your grace. 00:01:54.120 |
But we thank you, Lord God, that you care for us 00:01:59.760 |
according to your holiness, according to your discretion. 00:02:05.240 |
I thank you, God, that you cause us to be holy. 00:02:07.600 |
And I thank you, Lord, that you discipline us at times. 00:02:11.800 |
And Father, I pray that in every way we would desire 00:02:22.680 |
Now, by way of introducing this passage to us, 00:02:34.760 |
where he essentially addresses many different people. 00:02:43.040 |
He addresses the divorced people, the widowed people, 00:02:45.760 |
the married people with unbelieving husbands, 00:02:49.320 |
you know, I'm sorry, married husbands with unbelieving wives. 00:02:51.640 |
He addresses all different types of scenarios, you know? 00:02:59.200 |
just like it is a very confusing climate in our generation 00:03:09.760 |
there was a lot of confusion in that time as well, okay? 00:03:19.080 |
an incredibly conservative perspective on dating, 00:03:25.400 |
but there was a huge movement where people wanted dating 00:03:34.200 |
We shouldn't date, we should do courtship, you know? 00:03:41.840 |
the way you date is like, go talk to the father 00:03:59.380 |
But you know, you believe that dating should be 00:04:05.640 |
and you shouldn't like date around and all this stuff, 00:04:09.320 |
But I love the fact that there is good analogy in life, 00:04:30.240 |
so the idea there is, I think there is some wisdom 00:04:32.440 |
in the idea that there isn't just one absolute way 00:04:42.200 |
You shouldn't be fishing in the Santa Ana River, 00:04:52.600 |
There are fish that are only good for throwing back, 00:04:56.860 |
That's the kind of way that I like to advise people to fish. 00:05:08.860 |
Now, obviously, there are clear things you shouldn't do, 00:05:19.120 |
no matter how much you say you love that person 00:05:20.920 |
outside of marriage, is absolutely wrong, right? 00:05:32.060 |
You should be honorable in everything you do, right? 00:05:38.600 |
depending on who you are, what your strengths are, 00:05:48.000 |
And depending on who you're trying to pursue, 00:05:54.880 |
So what's interesting is, I think about this scenario, 00:05:58.160 |
and just as complicated as the dating environment 00:06:00.720 |
in modern day is, you can imagine the dating environment, 00:06:26.480 |
or what are you doing with your life, you know? 00:06:28.620 |
You know what's really funny is the Jewish people 00:06:32.440 |
I really think Jewish people and Asian people 00:06:35.960 |
But because the Jewish culture was so much bound up in, 00:06:45.020 |
If you didn't get married, it almost was like, 00:06:56.960 |
And then obviously there's other cultures that say, 00:07:07.960 |
and you can imagine it's like, relationships. 00:07:14.240 |
not only who needs 'em, but that's very sinful of you. 00:07:24.560 |
You can imagine that, but there might be people 00:07:26.460 |
who would say, it's holier for you to remain single, right? 00:07:31.460 |
So very interesting mix, very interesting mix 00:07:35.400 |
of different cultures that have joined together 00:07:37.520 |
to make what is the culture of the Corinthian church. 00:07:43.320 |
and we're only looking at verse one through seven, 00:07:50.160 |
different circumstances, different people, okay? 00:07:52.720 |
Let's take a look together at verses one through two. 00:08:00.440 |
now concerning the things about which you wrote, 00:08:13.200 |
Okay, starting there, I wanna ask the easy question, 00:08:16.480 |
what is Apostle Paul advocating in verse one? 00:08:22.360 |
what do you think Apostle Paul is advocating here? 00:08:52.000 |
So what is he really advocating in verse one? 00:09:12.720 |
Hey, is it, in light of all the fornication in chapter six, 00:09:28.320 |
so he's not saying married couple can't be together. 00:09:41.520 |
All right, so did you guys hear what he said? 00:09:54.200 |
with the church already asking questions, right? 00:10:02.320 |
with all the stuff that's around us in our culture, 00:10:08.680 |
we should not even, should we not even touch a woman at all? 00:10:29.680 |
So, there we go, we've just finished Bible study. 00:10:34.080 |
The conclusion is, so let me give it to you now 00:10:41.600 |
is he advocating celibacy over marriage at all? 00:10:47.520 |
is he even advocating marriage over celibacy? 00:10:55.320 |
the condition of your life in terms of your relation, 00:10:58.120 |
this is what needs to happen in every single person's life. 00:11:03.560 |
So, I guess I should have rephrased this question. 00:11:23.440 |
It's good for a man not to touch a woman, right? 00:11:31.840 |
I'm not gonna have a relationship with a woman, right? 00:11:41.840 |
And we've just talked about it in a moment here. 00:11:54.560 |
applying what Apostle Paul has been teaching them. 00:12:09.840 |
you know, in the flesh doesn't really matter. 00:12:26.540 |
Because you are, you are gonna have immortal bodies, okay? 00:12:30.960 |
Now, the pendulum swing then is to go the other way 00:12:34.320 |
and be like, okay, then with all these immoralities, 00:13:04.860 |
and incredibly practical reason for marriage? 00:13:19.980 |
So, tell me, I know part of it's a little bit obvious 00:13:23.020 |
as to why, yeah, it might not sit well with us, 00:14:24.060 |
And definitely I would never approach a woman, 00:14:28.500 |
I chose you because I just can't control myself. 00:14:59.700 |
but there is more, obviously, than meets the eye. 00:15:04.580 |
Any questions about section one, verses one and two? 00:15:21.420 |
Can I have somebody read this for me nice and loud? 00:15:39.500 |
This is a question that will arise as we study, 00:15:58.220 |
The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, 00:16:03.740 |
The wife does not have authority over her own body, 00:16:07.900 |
And likewise, also the husband does not have authority 00:16:13.020 |
Stop defiling one another, except by agreement 00:16:15.620 |
before a time so that you may devote yourselves 00:16:28.980 |
We've got four questions underneath the observations. 00:16:31.980 |
Remember, observations is like such an integral part. 00:16:35.620 |
You know, all the steps that we've already rehearsed 00:16:37.380 |
many times is an integral part of good Bible study. 00:16:40.980 |
Can you guys just take time now to answer it on your own? 00:16:44.340 |
How does it describe the responsibility of a man and woman? 00:16:47.380 |
What is the reason why they have this responsibility? 00:16:50.260 |
Under what circumstances can a couple refrain? 00:16:57.300 |
Okay, so it looks like just about everybody is in. 00:17:07.300 |
how this passage connects with all that Apostle Paul 00:17:09.540 |
is saying in relation to celibacy and marriage, okay? 00:17:14.980 |
the responsibility of a man and woman towards their spouse? 00:17:38.420 |
Now, in your estimation, is it just they should? 00:17:42.460 |
Or how does the passage describe that responsibility? 00:17:55.660 |
as this is the conjugal right of the married individual. 00:18:14.480 |
the, I guess, the responsibility towards our spouse, 00:18:31.060 |
To the degree where, look, you don't have a choice, right? 00:18:58.300 |
the repercussions of not obeying this responsibility 00:19:23.860 |
Yeah, so this is the thing that I was kinda saying, 00:19:26.620 |
you know, maybe I put the order a little bit wrong. 00:19:37.920 |
that Apostle Paul is, you know, seemingly saying, 00:19:53.700 |
What he's seeing is he sees the nature of the relationship 00:19:57.300 |
in a unique way, perhaps very different than his culture. 00:20:21.020 |
they essentially share authority over their body 00:20:36.540 |
That is where that sexual drive should exist. 00:20:46.120 |
there's a sense in which, yes, perhaps for us, 00:20:54.340 |
if we were to think about necessity and rights, 00:21:05.100 |
and how Apostle Paul is actually teaching these individuals, 00:21:08.660 |
this is incredibly in contrast to what they used to think. 00:21:14.340 |
there are some commentators that translated this passage. 00:21:19.000 |
Again, so you can tell there's a little bit of a nuance 00:21:27.280 |
Another person says this woman has conjugal rights. 00:21:32.840 |
kind of on his own and writing his commentary said, 00:21:45.640 |
that's kind of how the Greek actually literally means. 00:21:51.560 |
well, that was what was commanded me, bam, here it is. 00:22:05.560 |
as that sexual intimacy should only take place 00:22:20.960 |
It's something not to be practiced just outside. 00:22:39.400 |
with many different women or many different men. 00:22:44.800 |
no, we wanna have that sexual intimacy be a precious thing 00:22:48.280 |
under the specific requirements in an exclusive relationship, 00:22:51.560 |
that's so much more than what they would experience 00:22:57.280 |
So, number one, yes, it does sound highly practical. 00:23:03.920 |
does not give us the exhaustive teaching on marriage 00:23:14.720 |
have that kind of relationship and intimacy, right? 00:23:19.680 |
this doesn't in any way diminish the preciousness, 00:23:36.500 |
Over there on that table with Mel, Michelle, Frannie? 00:23:58.080 |
But he says, what's really interesting about that, 00:24:04.500 |
What's really interesting about that is he says, 00:24:12.520 |
"because of your lack of self-control," right? 00:24:16.560 |
Now, what's really interesting about this whole thing, 00:24:21.600 |
right now, I just tried to make a case for you, 00:24:43.600 |
The reason why he would give this exhortation 00:24:45.760 |
not to deprive each other is, table over there, 00:24:53.440 |
Okay, so that Satan will not have an opportunity to tempt. 00:25:09.140 |
there's almost a sense that you gotta ask the question, 00:25:12.560 |
you know, what does Apostle Paul care more about 00:25:21.200 |
Right, think about that as you look at this passage. 00:25:24.080 |
He's trying to teach you that celibacy can be good, 00:25:31.600 |
this is the design of God, that sexual intimacy 00:25:39.720 |
as he's teaching on this topic of celibacy and marriage? 00:26:04.620 |
He's giving a command saying, stop depriving each other. 00:26:13.060 |
I think their word, it's funny because chapter six, 00:26:33.520 |
to now how they were trying to apply purity in their lives, 00:26:41.360 |
You can imagine people perhaps in that day and age, 00:26:54.760 |
To go above God's standards and essentially say, 00:26:56.880 |
to do this, to have this restriction, is to be holier. 00:27:12.040 |
the ultimate goal is to be a greater ministry. 00:27:17.080 |
let's say it has to do with why God is gentler than marriage, 00:27:19.440 |
but perhaps in a sense that we turn the first book 00:27:26.680 |
it affects you, or it affects you to whoever it is. 00:27:29.760 |
So I think perhaps maybe that's what he was doing, 00:27:32.880 |
but I'm not sure that that's what he was doing. 00:27:38.840 |
- Just to add to that, Paul's really concerned 00:27:47.520 |
therefore we can't have sex outside of marriage, 00:27:50.200 |
because that defiles Christ in a sense, spiritually. 00:27:54.040 |
- So he transitions here to talk about men and women 00:28:00.000 |
the gospel is, marriage is a reflection of the gospel. 00:28:07.360 |
to the integrity of that covenant to stay strong. 00:28:10.560 |
And one way, the chief way the enemy is gonna tear it apart 00:28:18.800 |
or if it's a couple are depriving each other of intimacy, 00:28:39.660 |
there's a sense in which the Paul's Apostle Paul begins with 00:28:42.880 |
to not touch a woman is good, and it can be very good. 00:28:46.560 |
But celibacy is not good in the context of marriage, 00:28:51.820 |
In marriage, you're supposed to have intimacy. 00:28:54.120 |
In marriage, you're supposed to have an attitude 00:28:59.680 |
In marriage, you're supposed to have the attitude of love 00:29:01.600 |
in which you're really satisfying and rendering 00:29:05.280 |
that affection that is due to the other spouse. 00:29:10.200 |
because what Apostle Paul's really concerned about 00:30:03.680 |
Anybody from the rest of the table that I can call on? 00:30:06.720 |
I asked the question in your warm-up discussion, 00:30:09.120 |
what's the difference between a concession and a command? 00:30:12.020 |
And another important question to think about 00:30:22.900 |
he said a lot already in the first six verses 00:30:27.240 |
what do you think he is specifically referring to? 00:30:30.840 |
Everything, is celibacy a concession, not a command? 00:30:54.200 |
Verse six, he kinda introduces what he's gonna say, 00:30:59.320 |
he says, "I say by way of confession, not a command." 00:31:32.760 |
What is Apostle Paul referring to when he says, 00:31:36.960 |
And what is Apostle Paul referring to when he says, 00:32:44.160 |
I think Apostle Paul, he would be the first one, 00:32:49.240 |
and I'm gonna ask you in your discussion time 00:32:52.200 |
to draw up other passages that teach the purpose 00:32:59.400 |
And so, knowing what Apostle Paul says about marriage, 00:33:01.560 |
he is not going to say that marriage is the concession. 00:33:14.320 |
that is reflective of his character, of his gospel, 00:33:21.440 |
Apostle Paul expects that the marriage relationship 00:33:27.840 |
And he says, so that time away from each other, 00:33:36.440 |
yet, I wish that all men were even as I myself am. 00:34:00.120 |
well, actually, let me give you guys an opportunity 00:34:07.480 |
I wish that all men were even as I myself am, 00:34:17.360 |
And what then would he desire that all men would be like? 00:34:25.520 |
>> Is it the ability to be fully devoted to God? 00:34:31.920 |
>> Whether in the context of celibacy or inheritance. 00:34:37.160 |
I actually really like the way you said that. 00:34:41.640 |
She said, it's the ability to be fully devoted to God 00:34:58.600 |
Later on, he's gonna say a couple things that, 00:35:16.240 |
There's a sense in which Apostle Paul, practically speaking, 00:35:33.680 |
and perhaps we've bought into certain ways of thinking 00:35:36.840 |
where it's like, everybody has to get married 00:35:40.280 |
you're like, all my friends have to get married. 00:35:45.960 |
so listen to me when I say this, you should go for her. 00:35:53.400 |
You feel like you need to get everybody married, okay? 00:35:56.560 |
And I know some of us have good intentions in that, 00:35:58.840 |
so don't feel like I'm just dogging you or whatever, 00:36:11.840 |
dang it, I totally lost my train of thought, all right? 00:36:27.200 |
There are those of you who will function better 00:36:44.500 |
And it is absolutely harder for a married man 00:36:57.040 |
So, Apostle Paul actually gives a lot of practical wisdom 00:37:13.640 |
verse 32 to 35, this is something really important 00:37:21.040 |
Verse 32 says, "But I want you to be free from concern. 00:37:42.560 |
"that she may be holy both in body and spirit. 00:37:56.540 |
"and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord." 00:38:01.340 |
So in all honesty, in other passages of the Bible, 00:38:07.820 |
In the end, those are just two circumstances of your life. 00:38:24.780 |
but up until a little, maybe about a year or two ago, 00:38:35.700 |
I think actually Apostle Paul was probably a married man, 00:38:38.820 |
but either his wife passed away or she left him. 00:38:45.420 |
Because Apostle Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin. 00:38:50.420 |
in the Jewish environment of the whole religion, okay? 00:38:57.740 |
And earlier I mentioned to you that there is a culture 00:39:02.100 |
then you're just not obeying the will of God. 00:39:04.180 |
And like perhaps a lot of different religious environments 00:39:09.660 |
I don't know if you're qualified to be our leader. 00:39:13.020 |
had that criteria checked off, you know what I mean? 00:39:17.460 |
And what's more, later on when he speaks in verse eight, 00:39:20.840 |
when he says, "To the unmarried and to the widows, 00:39:35.140 |
And I think there's a sense in which Apostle Paul 00:39:48.620 |
going through all sorts of the various different struggles 00:39:51.420 |
of individual who's been married and done that. 00:39:53.940 |
But again, I think he's really focusing on this idea of, 00:40:05.420 |
on being devoted to the Lord in that singleness. 00:40:21.940 |
When you are married, you don't give room for the devil. 00:40:26.280 |
I think that's the intent of Apostle Paul, okay? 00:40:32.500 |
the principles in this passage are important, 00:40:41.400 |
There's absolutely nothing wrong with marriage, 00:40:43.300 |
and there's absolutely nothing wrong with sex 00:40:51.300 |
Grace's question, I think it was Grace who asked, 00:40:53.820 |
I asked the question, how do you harmonize the idea 00:40:57.060 |
that celibacy is good with the following verses? 00:40:59.780 |
Genesis 2, 18, it is not good for a man to be alone. 00:41:18.160 |
someone asks you the question, I'm a little confused. 00:41:25.700 |
but he says this is good in multiple occasions. 00:41:53.100 |
- Nice, he says, pursue and enjoy the gift God gave you. 00:42:08.080 |
you know, the advice that Apostle Paul gives, 00:42:15.960 |
And I think the great answer to that is what Matthew said. 00:42:21.640 |
that God has given you, and be faithful with that gift. 00:42:35.320 |
thank the Lord and be found faithful with that gift. 00:42:38.420 |
But if God enables you to find a woman, a husband, 00:42:43.920 |
be thankful for that gift and be faithful with that gift. 00:42:49.640 |
There's passages in the Bible that says, get married. 00:42:55.240 |
What's best is the allotment that God has given you, 00:43:05.080 |
- One last thing is that Paul's encouragement 00:43:08.240 |
to stay single or, you know, it's good to stay single, 00:43:14.400 |
Genesis 2.18, that's what was commanded from God. 00:43:18.000 |
God said it was not good for man to be alone, 00:43:31.120 |
- It seems like without my helper, I'm not able to. 00:43:41.000 |
- So when I go forth, don't start a girl's marriage. 00:43:47.400 |
Which leads to, if you find a wife, find a good thing. 00:43:56.120 |
You're on your sixth, tells us to raise our kids. 00:43:58.040 |
So maybe all five verses, plus it's God's command, 00:44:01.240 |
I would rather encourage everyone to get married. 00:44:05.920 |
It's a great question, you guys heard his question, right? 00:44:13.320 |
Here in 1 Corinthians, it sounds like a practical advice, 00:44:20.040 |
like the framework of mankind, more a general principle. 00:44:29.080 |
Paul's practical advice is very contextually limited 00:44:43.800 |
The time has been shortened, so there's something going on 00:44:47.600 |
in his day and age, which gives him this urgency 00:44:53.320 |
"The time has been shortened, so that from now on, 00:44:55.880 |
"those who have lives should be as though they had none. 00:45:03.960 |
"and those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, 00:45:06.800 |
"and those who buy as though they did not possess, 00:45:09.560 |
"very interesting, and those who use the world 00:45:13.200 |
"as though they did not make a whole reason for it, 00:45:16.360 |
"for the form of this world is passing away." 00:45:21.440 |
because of a quickening that's happening in the culture, 00:45:33.320 |
because you don't know what's gonna happen tomorrow. 00:45:35.080 |
There is a quickening of the pace of global events 00:45:38.960 |
at the time, which is going to make it so much harder 00:46:11.680 |
contextually, in understanding the environment, 00:46:17.920 |
but also, again, comes back to the idea that, 00:46:25.640 |
from Genesis and the Book of Proverbs and whatnot, 00:46:28.760 |
so you see what it is, is I can say something like this. 00:46:38.400 |
and the general lifestyle that a Christian is going to live 00:47:02.120 |
were not married, but were incredibly fruitful 00:47:13.280 |
So, other examples, like there's so many examples of that. 00:47:16.560 |
There's a lady by the name of Anna, you know, 00:47:25.360 |
but she remained single and served in that way. 00:47:28.200 |
But that was her lot, and she was found very faithful. 00:47:34.480 |
teaching in the Bible that is a direct command 00:47:53.560 |
General principle, specific gifting, you know? 00:48:10.640 |
So I hope you guys have a good time of discussion. 00:48:19.080 |
especially, just take a look at verse eight and nine. 00:48:24.000 |
and then sometimes maybe you heard good advice from it, 00:48:26.600 |
and sometimes maybe you heard bad advice from it, you know? 00:48:42.360 |
And so, when you think about giving advice to people, 00:48:50.360 |
and then you guys can jump into your discussion time. 00:48:54.880 |
We thank you, Lord, that in thinking about this whole topic, 00:49:01.280 |
God, you have constantly given to us, and we thank you. 00:49:05.160 |
Father God, we also pray that we would be found faithful. 00:49:09.520 |
Lord, that we would not become so self-centered, 00:49:18.200 |
where we want things outside of your blessing. 00:49:20.960 |
We want things outside of what you've ordained. 00:49:23.520 |
And dare not be, Father God, that we would, you know, 00:49:46.080 |
and God, truly, do things according to your way. 00:49:49.520 |
Father, I do pray that as we've been talking a lot about, 00:49:55.800 |
we've been talking about marriage, and all that stuff. 00:50:04.480 |
one of the more distracting elements of our lives, as well. 00:50:10.560 |
clarity of the issue, but also strength, Lord God,