1 Corinthians 5–8
Common Theme
God calls His people to holiness that reflects His character, dealing with sin seriously while walking in love that builds up others. He teaches that freedom in Christ is guided by responsibility, humility, and a desire to honor Him above personal rights.
Questions
- How does Paul’s correction challenge your view of what genuine love and holiness look like in community?
- In what ways might your personal freedoms need to be limited for the spiritual good of others?
God Shot
God shows Himself as holy and deeply committed to the purity of His people. He is also wise and patient, guiding believers to use their freedom in ways that reflect His love and protect the faith of others.
Deeper
1 Corinthians 5
The text addresses sexual immorality within the church, highlighting a case of a man involved with his father’s wife. The author expresses disapproval of the church’s arrogance and calls for mourning and removal of the offender. Emphasizing the importance of purity, the text warns that a little sin can corrupt the whole community. It instructs the church to avoid associating with those who claim to be believers but engage in immoral behavior, asserting that judgment should focus on those within the church.
1 Corinthians 6
The text addresses the issue of lawsuits among believers, questioning why they would take disputes to secular courts instead of resolving them within the church. It emphasizes that believers are called to judge the world and even angels, suggesting they should be capable of handling trivial matters. The text warns against the unrighteous, listing various sinful behaviors that exclude individuals from inheriting the kingdom of God, while reminding them of their redemption through Christ. It also urges believers to flee sexual immorality, highlighting the sanctity of their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit and the importance of glorifying God through their actions.
1 Corinthians 7
The text discusses principles for marriage and living according to one’s calling. It begins by addressing the importance of marriage in the context of sexual immorality, emphasizing that each man and woman should have their own spouse. Husbands and wives are encouraged to fulfill each other’s conjugal rights and not to deprive one another, except for mutual agreement for prayer. The author expresses a preference for singleness but acknowledges that marriage is better than succumbing to passion.
Instructions are given regarding separation and divorce, stating that a wife should not leave her husband and vice versa, but if separation occurs, reconciliation is encouraged. The text also addresses mixed-faith marriages, suggesting that believers should not divorce their unbelieving spouses if they are willing to stay.
The author advises individuals to remain in their current state when called by God, whether married or single, and highlights the importance of focusing on spiritual matters over worldly concerns. The text concludes with guidance for betrothed individuals, allowing marriage if necessary but suggesting that remaining single may be preferable for undivided devotion to the Lord. Lastly, it notes that a widow is free to remarry but should do so in the Lord, with the author’s personal judgment favoring continued singleness for greater happiness.
1 Corinthians 8
The text discusses food offered to idols, emphasizing that while knowledge can lead to arrogance, love is more important. It acknowledges that there is only one true God, but not everyone possesses this understanding. Eating food offered to idols does not affect one’s standing with God, but it can harm those with weaker consciences. The author stresses the importance of being considerate of others, stating that if eating causes a brother to stumble, they will abstain from eating meat.