Read through the chapter several times, in as many translations as you can find. Look for strange wording or where different versions have truly worded it very differently. In such places pay careful attention to footnotes. Jot down observations and questions that come to your mind as you read. Be sure to bring these to the group.
After reading through several times with your own observations and questions, read through again with those below:
- What sort of 'religious' problems do you think Paul might be using in his reference to 'touch'? Look at Exodus 19:12,13; Leviticus 11:8, 12:4; Deuteronomy 14:8 for help here. Can you think of others?
- Why do you think Paul balances references to men and women so evenly here? What do you think that says about the status of women in their congregation? (consider again, 1 Co 1:11)
- Verse 1 and verse 6 seem to 'bracket' this first section. So Paul gives this command, but doesn't seem happy about it. What do you think is Paul's overall view of marriage?
- Paul reveals something of his own 'condition' in verse 7, but points out it has to do with 'gifting'. On the other hand, he doesn't refer to 'gifting' in verse 9. Why do you think that is?
- In verse 10, Paul shifts from his own views to those of Jesus. Where is he now getting these instructions?
- In almost every translation it seems what the wife might do in verse 10 is referred to differently than what the husband does in verse 11. Why do you think Paul switches terms here? He's still balanced, but perhaps this gives more detail to the circumstances of women? (look forward to verse 13)
- Why do you think Paul would speak of reconciliation of the wife, but not the husband? Which is more restrictive here?
- In verse 12, we have a switch away from commands from Jesus and toward Paul's directives. Why do you think he would switch up here, and how does that help you gain insight to how we can use Scripture?
- Verse 14 is interesting because it is not really clear how this is true and what it means for the unbelieving spouse and children. References in Ezra 9:2 and Malachi 2:15 are not especially helpful here since they address a different problem.
- In verse 15 do you think Paul is describing 'divorce' and then those rules apply or simply separation? What then happens to the believing spouse?
- Do you think Paul is switching topics entirely in verse 16 or do you see it somehow related to the previous discussion on marriage and divorce?
- In verse 19, Paul says circumcision is nothing, but yet says keeping the commands of God. Isn't circumcision a command of God?
- Paul has a special section just for circumcision and slavery. Why do you think these would be two important issues within the church?
- Paul repeats, 'remain in the condition in which you were called.' Why do you think this might need repeating in this congregation?
- In verse 25, the same grammatical structure used in verse 1, signalling a change in topic is used. What do you think that means for my question about verse 16?
- In verses 25 through 28, what is Paul's assumption that forms his opinion here? How do you think this influences his other references previously in this chapter?
- In verses 29 through 31, how would this look for us? Do you think this still applies today? If so, how? What do you think it would look like?
- Paul says his motivation is 'unrestricted devotion to God' (verse 35), what is his view of those who marry? Do you think this is still true today?
- These references to 'virgin' may actually have to do with giving a daughter in marriage. What do you think it would mean in that culture to not give the daughter in marriage? (we'd all be guessing here)
- Verses 39 and 40 refer to widows. Here again Paul thinks 'single is better'. Why do you think he would 'support' his view by claiming that he too has the Spirit of God?
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