1 & 2 Corinthians – Page 7

1 Corinthians 9:15-23 – Burning Motivation

After Paul’s comments about getting paid in our last reading, he seems to be singing a different tune here–at least when it comes to his own payment. Paul feels confident God has commissioned him to spread the gospel. It’s like he would burst if he didn’t preach about Jesus. Any payment or support is appreciated, but it’s not his motivation.

Remember Jeremiah’s cry in Jeremiah 20:9? “But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!” Jeremiah had just been arrested for speaking a message he received from God. He, too, like Paul, had a burning motivation that couldn’t be quenched.

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 – What’s Your Idol Meat?

Read 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Paul deals here with another burning question on the minds of Corinthians dealing with the problem of food sacrificed to idols. I can’t say that this is something I’ve ever thought of, and I’m pretty sure it’s a new one for you, too. But taken in context, it was a very real problem in Paul’s day. The concept applied here can speak to other issues we may be facing.

While the Corinthian’s question was specific about food, Paul wants them to look deeper. Paul wants them to understand that God isn’t going to smite us if we eat such food. “It’s true that we can’t win God’s approval by what we eat. We don’t lose anything if we don’t eat it, and we don’t gain anything if we do.” It comes down to “how does our behavior affect others?”

1 Corinthians 7:25-40 – Time Away from God

Read 1 Corinthians 7:25-40

abstract design of clock and words like schedule busy delay stress alarm

Paul seems to be fielding another question here in his initial response to the single ladies. Don’t you agree there is a definite bias here by Paul that being unmarried is the “better” option? Despite that, Paul wants to be clear that marriage is not a sin. That’s a good thing! Perhaps Paul didn’t understand going through the “fuss” of getting married when the end was near.

What seems to be most concerning to Paul is how we must divide our time if we’re married. God doesn’t get 100% of our devotion because we are called to love our spouses. While Paul doesn’t speak of it here, children are often born to married couples and the love and care of our offspring takes even more time away from God! But then, isn’t being a loving parent and raising children a way of serving God?

1 Corinthians 7:17-24 – Where Were You?

Read 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

silhouette of a person on their knees, praying with sunset behind them

Do you remember where you were when God first called you? Take a moment to think about when you first heard about Jesus and accepted him into your life. I’ve found myself being a little envious of people who have one of those mind-blowing “come to Jesus” experiences. Paul’s counsel here is telling us to “remain as you were when God first called you.”

I’m not sure what Paul means here. After all, once our lives have been touched by God, we are finally following him as a “new creation,” like it says in 2 Corinthians 5:17. “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.” If we’re “new” people, how do we stay where we are? Don’t get caught in the weeds. Instead ask, “What Paul is doing here and what does the context of this text mean?”