| Introduction I tried really hard to find a way to just skip over this passage because it is hard to understand and my conclusions regarding what Paul means here will automatically make me uncool and antiquated in eyes of many. This is a serious problem because my coolness level is already very low to begin with. But to skip it would be dishonest on my part after all every Scripture is inspired and profitable to make us complete in Jesus Christ. I. Three Ways to Understand This Passage. A. Spiritual marriage 1. This view sees this passage speaking about a man and a woman who entered into a spiritual marriage, that is, a marriage devoid of any physical aspect. 2. There are several problems with this interpretation. B. Engaged people 1. This view sees this passage giving advice to engaged people who are not sure what to do during 2. Though this interpretation solves some of the internal tensions of the passage, it requires accepting meanings for some of the words that are possible but unlikely. C. This leaves us with the uncool and antiquated interpretation that Paul is teaching here about the father's role in giving a daughter in marriage. II. A Father's Role in Giving a Daughter in Marriage, 36-38. A. The man who is behaving improperly toward his virgin is a father who has kept his daughter from marrying for wrong reasons. B. What should he do? C. If the father concludes with his daughter that she should not get married and he has the power to do what he wants to do, then, he can keep her from marrying because of the present distress of v. 26. D. If one has examined his heart and is doing what is right before the Lord, his daughter marrying or not marrying is not a sin issue, but an expediency issue, 38. E. Implications from this interpretation. F. Why so much fuss about marriage? Why take it so seriously? III. Marriage Is to Be Taken Seriously Because It Lasts for a Lifetime, 39-40. A. Only death rightfully ends a marriage, 39a. B. On the other hand, death does end a marriage and person who stays behind is free to remarry, 39b. C. A word about remarrying D. Under the present circumstances in Corinth, it is better not to remarry, 40. Conclusion So here we are. Two very uncool and antiquated ideas: fathers, help your daughters choose their spouse and stay married till one of you dies. If these ideas rub you the wrong way, remember what Paul said in v. 35. He is instructing us for our good, so that we can serve the Lord with focus and free of distraction. He is not trying to put a leash or noose around our necks. What we have here comes from the hand of a loving God who has not spared anything from us. http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2013/05/old-fashioned-ideas-about-marriage-1.html | |||
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Friday, May 3, 2013
Old Fashioned Ideas about Marriage - 1 Cor. 7:36-40
