1 Corinthians 8 : 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Paul is dealing with a subject here that is still very much alive in our world today and that is the worship of many gods. They worship different gods today for the same reason they did back then and that is because they want to see the gods they worship . The God we worship is in spirit and can not be seen with our physical eyes but on can only be seen in the spirit. This next verse confirms what a true Christian believes and that there is one God the father and His equally with Jesus Christ who is our savior. A verse in 1 John says it best, 1 John 5:7 “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” This lets us know that God is the creator, Jesus is the savior, and the Holy Spirit is our guide. Also this tells us there is only one way to heaven and that is through because of the blood Jesus shed for us on the cross giving His life for our sins. Please attend a church today that preaches the truth of God’s word. My home church is Luverne First Assembly of God and we would love to have you join us.
1 Corinthians 8 : 4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
We need to keep in mind that Paul is responding to questions that was ask by some of the Corinthians. Here we should see that idols are nothing to a christian. When we put idols above God we are sinning against God. It is hard to tell when food is has been offered to idols and what was not. To try to regard something as clean or unclean, which in reality there is no way, is to be regarding it as an idol. We should not try to judge that at all because an idol is nothing anyway. We must remember to that there many things in our society today that people put before God and in doing this they are making them an idol. God had shown over and over that idols are nothing as He did in Egypt when He made the Pharaoh let His people go. We need to make sure we try to put God first in everything we do every day so we do begin to worship idols.
1 Corinthians 8 :1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
Paul begins in this chapter addressing questions ask about things offered up to idols. He explained to them that they have the knowledge already of knowing not to touch thins offered to idols. To accept food or anything offered to idols would put someone back into pagan worship, the gentiles knew this. because of some the knowledge some showed he was concerned because it was not mixed with love but it was puffed up. Charity, or love, edifies and helps strong believers be able to minister to weaker believers without offending them. He go on to say that most of time when someone thinks they know it all they really know nothing. We all know people like this, but it is those with a humble spirit always eager to learn more that are really knowledgeable.You can know what a Scripture says but without knowing what it means and to understand what it means it must be revealed to you by the Holy Spirit. To know God exists is one thing and to have Him as your personal Savior is something else entirely. Just to of God is one thing and to love God in your heart is an entirely different thing as well. If we truly love God in our heart then He in turn loves us.
1 Corinthians 7: 39The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. 40But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
Paul ends here telling us that marriage is meant for life and is meant to be permanent. If one of the spouses dies he says it is OK to marry again but only to another believer. Because marriage was meant to be permanent the disciples thought it better not to marry. In really God say not to be unequally yoked which means to marry or remarry it should be to a believer. Paul ends saying it is better if one becomes single after being married it is better to remain that way so they will have more time to concentrate on their devotion to God. He even with a touch of sarcasm says he believes he got this word straight form the Holy Spirit. Also a lot times it is better just to remember the good memories of the the one you loved for so long rather than look for another.
1 Corinthians 7:36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. 37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. 38 So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
Fathers back in the days of Paul, and probably even some today, who see their daughters grow up in the Lord want them to stay single and serve the Lord. here though Paul says if the lady decides she had rather marry, then the father would release her to marry. It goes on to say that if she decides to stay single the father is is good with that decision. Either way the choice that made is neither right or wrong. Finally it says that if they are given in marriage it is good and if they are not given in marriage it is better. Either way is good with God it is only that being single you can devote more of yourself to the work of God. Being married you also fulfill the will of God by replenishing the population of this world and sharing the word
1 Corinthians 7:34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
These two verses say about the same thing as the previous two verses except it is talking about the woman. women do like to pleas their husbands and there is no sin in that because that is what God expects them to do. The married woman can serve God but may have less time than a single woman to fulfill the things of God. The next verse Paul reminds us this is what he thinks. There can be a distraction in a marriage to fulfill the service we should to God. We need to understand no matter which state we are in we need to do what God calls us to do and know that he knows the problems we may face. We are to be obedient to what He ask us to and know that He will help us with any problem we might have.
Corinthians 7:32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
Paul again, is showing the difference in working for the Lord as a single person, and working for the Lord as a married person. The single person can devote all his time to the Lord without distractions and is free from concern about the earthly needs of a spouse and therefore potentially better able to set himself apart exclusively for the Lord’s work. We try to think that we will devote the proper attention to the Lord being married but sometimes we will feel the need to put the household things first, and we shouldn’t. If both are one in a marriage like they should be they stand a better chance of pleasing God most of the time with the work they do for Him. Even a single person is not totally safe from not being tempted to put things before God in the world we live in today.
1 Corinthians 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; 31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
Paul is continuing to encourage the married couples as well as the single people to use there time for the Lord. A single person can give their full attention to the Lord’s work and so should a married couple. Next he tells us that the things of this world will pass away and we should not get caught up in them.
The mature Christian should not get so swept up in the emotion of this life that they lose their motivation, hope and purpose. He continues by telling us that things of this world are but for a moment in time an will not always be. This world is not our home, heaven is, and it will be nothing like the world we know. We have to live here but we are not to get attach to the things of this world. Attend a good Bible believing church today and let the fill your heart with His love.
1 Corinthians 7:28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
Paul is saying here it is that is ok for divorced people, who are divorced for biblical reasons, and virgins to marry. It was God’s plan for men and women to marry. The trouble he talks about here is the conflicts and demands that two people being joined together will have compared to a person that stays single. It is natural for a husband and wife to have disagreements but they also work them out together. A single person does not have to worry about another person telling them what to do but they have to make sure they are in the Lord’s will in what they do.
25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. 26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. 27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
Paul here is giving his opinion on this subject and he is just saying that if someone is a virgin, or not, they should be faithful to God. As he goes on we see he could be talking of men or women and that because of all the things that can distract us today it would be better to remain that way. Persecution is difficult for a single person to endure, but problems and pain are multiplied for those who are married, especially if they have children. He ends this by saying that if you are married you should not try to get out of it. If you do and here he means by divorce, you should not seek another spouse. Whether one is single or married it remains a fact they should remain focused on God.
"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." I John 5:7
