Paul’s counsel to the Corinthian believers is “remain in the condition in which you were called.” Whether you are married or single, slave or free, Jew or Gentile, serve Christ in that condition. But where can believers receive the strength to be content in their present circumstances. The Word of God gives us answers to that question from this passage.
Teaching Notes:
Contentment In Our Calling
1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Paul has been discussing celibacy, marriage, and divorce in 7:1-16. It appears that there was a group in the Corinthian church that believed that celibacy was to be preferred as more spiritual, even in marriage. For this reason, some were depriving their spouses sexually, while others wanted to dissolve the marriage. Paul responds first to unmarried people: it is good for you to remain single, but if you don’t have control over your passions go ahead and marry. Next he responds to a believer with a believing spouse: do not get divorced, and even if you do, you must remain unmarried or be reconciled to your husband. Finally he responds to a believer who has an unbelieving spouse: if the unbeliever is willing to stay you must not divorce him/her. Yet, if the unbeliever leaves, go ahead and let him leave. You are not in bondage to maintain the marriage in this case.
In this next paragraph, 7:17-24, it appears that Paul is going off on a bunny trail. This paragraph appears to have no relationship to what precedes. However, I believe what Paul is doing is teaching them why they can remain single or married. It is because they can find contentment in whatever condition they find themselves, because ultimately our social situation doesn’t matter. What really matters is our relationship with God.
1. The Thesis (Remain in the condition in which you were called): 7:17
As the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk: Paul is referring to the social situation each believer finds himself in when God calls him into fellowship with Christ (1:9), whether he is single or married, whether he is circumcised or uncircumcised, or whether he is slave or free. The general, overarching bottom line principle is for each one to walk with God in the condition in which he was called. The believer must not think that by changing his social status he will improve his spiritual standing with God. Notice the word assign. We are in the condition we are in because God has assigned that condition to us. This speaks very clearly of God’s sovereign hand in ordering and ordaining the affairs of our lives.
And so I direct in all the churches: what Paul is teaching here, he taught in every church. If the Corinthians do not agree with Paul here, let them know that they are out of step with all the other churches.
2. The Illustration of Circumcision/Uncircumcision: 7:18-20
A. The Command:
Circumcised… he is not to become uncircumcised: Paul may have meant this literally. John MacArthur, in his commentary on 1 Corinthians writes that Josephus, in his writings, records that during the Greek rule of the eastern Mediterranean several centuries before Christ, some Jewish men who wanted to be accepted into Greek society had surgery performed to make themselves appear uncircumcised when they bathed or exercised at the gymnasiums. The Roman encyclopedist Celsus, in the first century A.D., wrote a detailed description of the surgical procedure for decircumcision. The problem was so common that considerable rabbinic literature addressed the problem. Perhaps some Jewish Christians thought that was a way to demonstrate their break with Judaism. However, Paul may also have meant this in a figurative sense. Circumcised and uncircumcised were commonly used to represent Jew and Gentile, respectively. By extension, the terms may even have related to women, for whom literal circumcision obviously does not apply. When Jews become Christians, they are not to give up their Jewishness and try to appear like Gentiles. Many religious beliefs must be changed, but not racial or cultural identity as Jews. A Jew must not think that his spiritual status can be improved by forsaking his Jewish identity.
Uncircumcision… he is not to be circumcised: Of the 2 possibilities, this was probably the one which had the greatest pull. Circumcision was the sign and seal of the covenant with Jehovah. A believing Gentile may have wanted to identify with the OT people of God, thinking that his spiritual status may improve thereby. Paul says “No!” Neither one is to change.
B. The Reason:
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing: It has no spiritual significance. Being circumcised does not make a man any more spiritual, holy, or closer to God. Not being circumcised does not make a man any less spiritual. It is totally irrelevant concerning our spiritual standing.
What matters is the keeping of the commandments of God: Why does keeping God’s commandments matter, whereas circumcision and uncircumcision do not? Because a man who faithfully seeks to keep God’s commandments shows evidence of a regenerate life. He truly belongs to God which is what really matters. Circumcision is similar to baptism in this regard: it is an outward rite which may be performed upon regenerate or unregenerate persons.
C. The Conclusion:
Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called: Do not think that a change in your social situation is going to make you any more spiritual or closer to God. These changes do not matter at all! You do not need to make any changes in your outward life in order to be holy. You should practice your newfound Christian life exactly where God found you. Bloom where you are planted. Let your light shine right where God saved you
3. The Illustration of Slavery/Freedom: 7:21-24
A. The Command:
Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it: A slave may think that since he is on the lowest rung on the social ladder in that society that he was God’s lowest rung of the spiritual ladder. Nothing could be further from the truth. The slave should not worry about his social position being a reflection of his spiritual position. In Christ there was neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female. A slave in the 1st century could have been a gifted Bible teacher in the church.
But if you are able also to become free, rather do that: This is the exception to the general rule. He is not to worry about his slavery, but if a chance comes up for him to become free, go for it! This teaches us that Paul’s words in this section are not to be taken as dogmatic binding rules. He is simply saying that a Christian must not think that changing his outward condition in life is going to better his standing with God. Now, if a slave knows that, but has a chance to be free, it is fine for him to go ahead and obtain his freedom.
B. The Reason:
For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman: Paul is focusing the slave’s attention on what really matters – his standing with God. In essence, Paul is saying it is totally irrelevant that he is a slave, because his relationship with the Lord has granted him the greatest freedom possible – freedom from sin, the curse of the law, Satan, death and hell.
Likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave: Notice that Paul did not give directions to the free man like he did to the uncircumcised. He could have said, “Were you called while you were a free person? Don’t let that be a matter of importance to you.” Why not? Because you are Christ’s slave, meaning that you ought not boast of your freedom as if it gives you a greater spiritual status than your brother who is a slave, because in reality, you are Christ’s slave. Paul, in both cases, is getting these brothers’ focus off of their present social condition, and onto what is true of them spiritually.
For you were bought with a price: How is it that the slave is Christ’s free man, and the free man is Christ’s slave? Both were bought, redeemed with the price of Christ’s blood. Christ owns them. His redemption has both set free the slave, and enslaved the free man. Their spiritual standing stems from what Jesus accomplished for them at Calvary.
Do not become slaves of men: Since Jesus owns you, do not be enslaved by the opinions of men. Some believe your spiritual status is improved by improving your outward social condition. Don’t buy into that lie. Don’t let them enslave you with their opinions. Stay true to God and don’t worry about the opinions of men!
C. The Conclusion:
Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called: This is the 3rd time Paul has repeated this principle. He begins the whole discussion with it in vs.17. He then lays out the illustration of circumcision, and then gives it again in vs.20. Then he gives the illustration of slaver and gives it again in vs.24.
Life Application: How can we find contentment in the particular condition we are in? Whether we are married, single, male or female, black or white, a corporate CEO or a hamburger flipper at Burger King?
1. Realize that your outward condition is a result of God’s assignment: In order to believe this you must believe in the sovereignty of God. God orders and ordains our circumstances in life. His providence rules over all. Ps.103:19. God has decided when I was to be born, in what kind of a family, in what country, in what economic situation, in what era, with what gifts and abilities and frailties. We have got to come to terms with the truth that God is in control of all things, and He has determined what social position I am in. If I know that I am where I am because God has ordained it, I can relax and be content in it.
2. Focus on your spiritual position rather than your temporal situation: This is what makes it possible for a believer to have joy and peace in any situation. His identity is not wrapped up in his outward social position. It is wrapped up in his relationship with God. Thus, he can thrive spiritually whether he is a pauper or a millionaire (although it will be more difficult as a millionaire!). It makes no difference whether he lives in a communist or democratic government, whether he is young or old, black or white, male or female, slave or free. All things belong to you! (1Cor.3:22) If I realize my spiritual position, I can be content in all things, for I have all things!
3. Remember who owns you: If I can remember that I belong to Christ because He has purchased me, then it doesn’t really matter what my lot in life is on earth for a few years. I am a son of God, adopted into His family, a servant in His kingdom. Everything else in life is so trivial compared with these great eternal truths. Thus, I can be content in whatever situation I am in.
4. Realize that you are not alone in this condition – God is with you! This is a little detail you may not have picked up on. Look at 7:24 “each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.” This is the greatest reason for contentment of all! God is with me. If I am with God I can be content in any situation! The Bible says that the Lord was with Joseph when he was in the house of Potiphar and also when he was in jail. Therefore Joseph could be content in both, because the Lord was with him in both. This is what has enabled believers to go on when they have been imprisoned for their faith, or when faced with a life of drudgery or poverty.
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