November 28, 2004

MAN HIS GIFT FROM GOD

1 Corinthians 7:6-17

   "But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his own gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I" (1 Corinthians 7:6-8). How shall we "abide" like Paul? How can we "follow Paul" in this matter?

   First understand that the term "unmarried" refers to widowers, not just the unmarried in general. It is masculine in gender and paired with "widows." We believe Paul had been a member of Israel 's governing body, the Sanhedrin, whose requirement was that all men be married. When he had consented to Stephen's death, Paul said, "I gave my voice against him" (Acts 26:10). The word, "voice" here indicates his "vote" as a member of that body. Thus his present marital status strongly suggests that he also was a widower who had previously enjoyed the married life.

   His present counsel was that "they abide even as I," that is, unmarried and in self control; continent and not burning with desire (lust). Paul later gave his "judgment, as one that has obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful." The situation at Corinth was described as "the present distress" (7:25-26), which apparently indicates the persecution of believers and greatly colors Paul's counsel here. Years later Paul wrote Timothy that "the younger widows [should] marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully..." (1 Tim. 5:11-14). But there, here, and always, each one according to his " gift of God."

   When the Lord had explained how binding the marriage contract was, His disciples replied, " if the case be so [meaning that binding] ...it is not good to marry." The Lord explained that not everyone could receive their saying, that is of not marrying, "except they to whom it is given." With further explanation He concluded, "He that is able to receive it, let him receive it" (Matt. 19:10-12). The Lord's counsel was the same as Paul's, " every man hath his own gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that." Let us so abide.

Ivan L. Burgener