1 Corinthians 6-8

1 Corinthians 6

Lawsuits Among Believers

• Paul rebukes believers for taking disputes before secular courts
  • Christians should seek wisdom and reconciliation within the church
• Better to suffer wrong than damage the witness of Christ

 Transformation Through Christ

• Paul lists unrighteous lifestyles 
• Includes:
  • sexual immorality
  • idolatry
  • theft
  • greed
  • drunkenness
    
• Believers have been:
  • washed
  • sanctified
  • justified
  • in Jesus’ name and by the Spirit

The Body Belongs to God

• “All things are lawful” does not mean everything is beneficial
• Paul confronts sexual immorality
• The body is:
  • for the Lord
  • a member of Christ
  • a temple of the Holy Spirit
• Believers were bought with a priceglorify God in your body

1 Corinthians 7

Marriage and Sexual Purity

• Paul addresses questions about marriage
• Husband and wife should care for one another physically and spiritually
• Temporary abstinence should only happen by mutual agreement for prayer
• Paul acknowledges singleness as a gift for some

Instructions to Married and Unmarried

• Unmarried and widowed believers may remain single if able
• Married believers should not divorce
• If married to an unbeliever:
  • remain together if possible
  • the believing spouse can influence spiritually
• If the unbelieving spouse leaves, the believer is not bound to them

Live as you are Called

• We should be content with the life we are called in Christ
• Whether circumcised, uncircumcised, slave, or free: believers belong to Christ

Singleness and Undivided Devotion

• Paul discusses a time of distress/persecution (perhaps in Corinth?)
  • Stay married, or stay single- remain as you are
• Singleness can allow greater focus on serving the Lord without distraction
  • Can be free of certain anxieties and undivided attention 

1 Corinthians 8

Knowledge and Love

• Issue: food sacrificed to idols
  • Some believers knew idols were not real gods and did not care about eating the meat
• But knowledge alone can create pride
• Love should guide Christian behavior

 Consider the Weaker Brother

• Some believers had sensitive consciences about idol food
• Exercising our freedom carelessly could harm another believer spiritually
• Paul teaches love is more important than personal rights
  • He says he would rather give up meat entirely than cause a brother to stumble

Application

We must honor God with our body and relationships- whether we are married or single. Importantly, we must use our freedom in Christ with consideration for others. Our freedom shouldn’t make a brother stumble.