Bible Study 7/5

1 Corinthians 7:1-16

Here Paul answers some of the Corinthians' questions about marriage. Some of his points:

1) The gift of marriage is a gift of God (v.7)

2) If one wishes to remain single and is able to with self-control, it is good. In fact, Paul wishes that all could be like him (knowing that it is not possible). The implication is that Paul is more fruitful in his service for the Lord because of no other obligations.

3) Divorce is against the will of God.

4) If one finds himself married to an unbelieving spouse, they should not divorce them, but should not stop it if their spouse separates from them.

Bible Study 7/2

Proverbs 20:15-30

v.23 "Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good."

I am sure proverbs like these, which there are several, were directed primarily in the culture to those who would cheat others in the marketplace. However, I think you could also draw from it the idea of having a "double standard" - partiality, if you will.

v.21 "An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end."

v.24" A man's steps are from the Lord - how then can man understand his way?"

- We are not meant to know the future.

1 Corinthians 6:1-11

Paul sandwiches this section on lawsuits between believers between two sections on sexual immorality, leading one to infer that the grievances they had related to matters of sexual wrongdoing. Paul says, in the first place, that to even have a lawsuit is already a defeat. Why not rather suffer wrong, he says. In the next place, the Corinthians were wrong by taking their case before unbelievers, implicitly saying that they submitted themselves to their judgment, when Paul says in fact that the saints will be the ones to judge the world, even angels. It is not good to submit a civil case between believers before an unbelievers' judgment.

Bible Study 7/1/10

Proverbs 20:1-15

The importance of avoiding angry or non-constructive arguments:

v.3 "It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling."

v9 - "Who can say 'I have made my heart pure, I am clean from my sin?'" - No one.

For the excessive sleeper:

v.13 - "Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread."

1 Corinthians 5

Paul turns from factions to address another serious problem within the church - open, public, and blatant sexual immorality by someone who professes to be a believer. Paul treats this problem as very serious - the Corinthians are treating it arrogantly. I assume that means that they are taking advantage of the grace that they are living under to not take it seriously. Paul's judgment is that they should be removed from the gathering and fellowship of believers, in order that they make progress toward salvation. How could this punishment accomplish that? The only thing I could think of is allowing them to face the consequences of their choices would help them to come to a point of brokenness and desperation. Allowing them to continue in the fellowship of grace would not be beneficial for them, because they are taking advantage of it.

Paul then clarifies that he is not saying that the Corinthians should not associate with the sinners of this world - that would be impossible (though some throughout history have made a go at it). He says that this applies only to those who claim to be "brothers" - believers - the church is to judge the gross immorality that exists within the fellowship.