End-Times Marriage...Or Not

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Study Group meeting August 7 to study 1 Corinthians 7.  There's a ton in this chapter, so we'll get to what we can.  The immanent return of Jesus seems to form the overall background of all that Paul recommends and commands in this chapter.  So this will bring up some interesting questions, I hope.

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?

That should do for now.  We may be able to wade through all this in an hour or so.  But we may not either.  We'll take it as we go.

Of Torts and Tarts

This is the Bible study page for the Thursday Night Group meeting July 31 to study 1 Corinthians 6.  This chapter continues, in a sense, the discussion from chapter 5.  While there a specific sin was being addressed, the concept of judging sin within the church also forms the challenge to judge between disputes as well.  There are some challenging elements to this chapter, but the language is fairly straight forward.  It really means what it says, and there isn't a lot of deviation between translations.

Read through the chapter several times, noting thematic elements, transitions, questions, and observations you make along the way.  Paul has some peculiar perspectives, and he commands some peculiar things of the church.  Reviewing chapter 5 and looking ahead at chapter 7 may be helpful in understanding this chapter.

After reading through and making notes, read through again with the questions below:

• The sort of legal process described in verse 1 was one that Moses handled in the desert (Exodus18:13-27).  In other places in Scripture these were handled were in the city gates.  Why do you think Paul wants to keep them in the church?
• Paul uses some interesting reasoning to support his command to keep civil cases in the church.  In verse two he says 'saints will judge the world.' Where do you think he comes up with this?
• Paul then says believers will judge angels in verse 3.  Why do you think he is so adamant about bringing these sorts of legal things in the church?
• Does verse 4 sound to you like the church in Corinth already has 'judges' but these people aren't using them?  If so, why do you think they wouldn't be using such a thing?
• By bringing these civil matters into the public courts, Paul says they should be ashamed.  Why do you think that would be a source of shame?  Why should they instead simply suffer the supposed wrong?
• In verse 8 Paul may supply the reason he thinks they take these issues into the civil courts.  What do you think he means by this charge?
• How do you think we could do something like this in our church?  Maybe some sort of program like the NADR program might work?  Why do you think this might be a good idea?  Why might it not work in our society?
• In verse 9 Paul lists some types of people who will not inherit the Kingdom of God.  Do you think some of the Corinthians still practiced such things?  Do you think we have some who do in our church?
• What do you think is Paul's point in verse 11?  How does this contrast answer what he sees as the foundational problem in verses 1 through 10?
• Do you think Paul completely switches topic in verse 12?
• If all things are 'lawful' how do the 'judges' referred to above 'judge'?  What do you think he means here?
• How do you think is Jesus 'for your body' in verse 13?  In what way is this true?
• Paul also supports his point by pointing to our eventual resurrection.  Why do you think this supports his command to avoid sexual sins?
• In verse 15, what are 'members'?  What is another word for this?  If you use another word for this, how does it changes the meaning for you?
• In verse 16, Paul uses a reference we normally use for marriage.  They did too.  What does that mean to you that he would use it here? 
• Consider verse 17.  Think about that a bit.  What does this statement mean to you?  What other areas in your life does this affect, and how?
• In verse 19, Paul says that their individual bodies are 'temples of the Holy Spirit'.  Refer back to 1 Corinthians 3:16 where it was the 'church'.  How can they both be true?
• What do you think could possibly be the connection between the first 11 verses and 12-20? 

That should keep us busy for at least an hour.  We may not finish, but it may be quick; I never can tell.  Remember to bring your questions and observations to the group.