by Wells, Steve
15 Is marriage a good thing?
7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
(7.7) “I would that all men were even as I myself.”
8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
(7.8) “I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.”
9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
(7.9) “But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.”
10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
(7.12a) “But to the rest speak I, not the Lord.” Really? So this stuff is in scripture but is not inspired by God?
461 Was all scripture inspired by God?
(7.12b-13) The Pauline Privilege: A believer may either keep or divorce an unbelieving spouse.
462 Is it OK to marry unbelievers?
(7.12b) “If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.”
13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
(7.13) “And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.”
14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
(7.14a) “The unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband.” (You can get saved by just marrying a believer!)
453 If a husband believes, is his wife saved also?
(7.14b) “Else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.” The children of nonbelievers are unclean. (But believers’ kids are holy.)
113 Is only God holy?
15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
(7.15) “But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases.”
154 Is divorce ever permissible?
16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
(7.18) “Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised.” (It’s pretty hard to undo, isn’t it?)
19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
(7.21-23) Slaves should not desire their freedom. Yet they should not be the servants of men.
42 Does God approve of slavery?
21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
(7.21) “Art thou called being a servant? care not for it.”
22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.
23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
(7.23) “Be not ye the servants of men.”
24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
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.
(7.25) “Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment.” So this is just Paul’s opinion and is not divinely inspired scripture?
461 Was all scripture inspired by God?
26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
(7.26) “It is good for a man so to be [a virgin].”
27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
(7.27) “Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.” Those who are unmarried should never marry.
15 Is marriage a good thing?
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.
29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
(7.29) “The time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none.” Paul, like Jesus and the other New Testament writers, expected the end to come soon. “The time is short.” So there’s no time for sex and marriage since the world will be ending soon.
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.
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.
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.
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.
39 The 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.
40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
1 CORINTHIANS 8
8 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
(8.1a) “Knowldedge puffeth up.” Knowledge is bad.
(8.1b) “Charity edifieth.” Love is a good.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
(8.2) “If any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing.”
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
(8.4-8) “As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols….” The short answer (that you’ll find scattered around in this chapter) is this: Go ahead and eat animals that were sacrificed to other gods. Try not to do it, though, when weaker Christians are watching. You don’t want to scandalize the weaklings, do you?
460 Is it OK to eat meat sacrificed to other gods?
; 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.
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.
(8.6a) “There is but one God.”
9 How many gods are there?
(8.6b) “One Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”
2 Who created heaven and earth?
7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
(8.8) “Meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.”
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your’s become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
1 CORINTHIANS 9
9 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
(9.1) “Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?” In an apparent reference to his supposed encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul asks, “Have I not seen Jesus?” Well, if we can believe Acts, he didn’t. That account says he was blinded and saw no one (Acts 9.8).
463 Did Paul see Jesus?
2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?
5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
(9.9-10) Paul quotes Dt 25.4, “Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn.” That sounds like a nice humane law. Until Paul explains it, that is. He asks, “Does God care about oxen?”, and then answers his own rhetorical question by saying, “Hell no. The law is for our sakes.” According to Paul, God doesn’t give a damn about animals.
9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
(9.9) “Doth God take care for oxen?”
10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
(9.10) “Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt.”
11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.
16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
(9.21-22) Paul says he’ll do whatever it takes to make people believe in order to save them from a God who will torture them forever for their honest disbelief.
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
(9.21) “To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.”
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
(9.22) “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
1 CORINTHIANS 10
10 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
(10.7) “Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Don’t be an idolater who sits down to eat and then rises up to play. God hates it when people do that.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
(10.8) “Fell in one day three and twenty thousand”
140 How many did God kill for “committing whoredom with the daughters of Moab?”
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
(10.9) “Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.” If you tempt Christ (How could you tempt
Christ?), then he’ll send fiery serpents to bite and kill you. (Numbers 21.6-9)
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
(10.10) “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” (Numbers 16.41-49)
11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
(10.11) “They are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” Paul believed that he would live to see the end of the world.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
(10.16) “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” It depends on whom you ask. A Catholic will say yes. A Protestant, no. If you ask me, it’s just bread and wine.
17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
(10.20-21) Gentiles sacrifice to devils. Don’t do it with them. (Unless no one is looking.)
460 Is it OK to eat meat sacrificed to other gods?
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
(10.20) “The Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.”