In First Corinthians 7:12-16, Paul discussed Christians being married to non-Christians. In such cases, it is the unbeliever who determines whether or not the marriage will continue. That is, if the "wife that believeth not...be pleased to dwell," then the believing husband is not to "put her away," and if the "husband that believeth not...be pleased to dwell," then the believing wife is not to "leave him" (1 Cor. 7:13-14). The faithful Christian has already determined to follow God's word in all things, including marriage (Mt. 6:33).

However, if the unbelieving spouse insists on departing the marriage, then Paul says, "let him depart," and then adds, "A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace" (1 Cor. 7:15). As discussed in the previous bulletin article, "not under bondage" does not give license for the believer to remarry at the mere departure of the unbelieving spouse. Rather, Paul is saying that because the unbelieving spouse left the marriage does not mean that the Christian spouse must leave the marriage-two wrongs do not make a right! When such tragedy happens in marriage, the Christian spouse is not to live in fear and guilt because his or her non-Christian spouse left the marriage. One can acceptably serve God regardless of one's marital or social status. This is what this section of First Corinthians 7 is about.

The General Principle of Contentment

Paul begins this section, "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" (1 Cor. 7:17). The Lord calls us to salvation through the Gospel (2 Thes. 2:14 cf. 1 Cor. 1:9), and one is to be content in whatever vocation he or she was called. "As God hath distributed" suggests that it is from God's blessings that we even have a vocation. The phrase, "so let him walk," has been construed by some to teach that Paul is saying that no matter what a person's marital status was when he or she obeyed the Gospel, that person can remain in that marriage. However, the phrase "so let him walk" is obviously limited to those vocations that are not sinful (cf. 2 Cor. 6:14; 1 Thes. 5:22). One living in adultery, which results from an unscriptural remarriage (Mt. 19:9), is obviously a sinful state, and would be excluded from the phrase, "so let him walk." To use a comparative illustration, suppose that two homosexuals were living together and practicing homosexuality and then later were taught the Gospel. Can they be saved? Absolutely! But can they remain in their homosexual relationship? Obviously not! Why? Because practicing homosexuality is sinful (Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Jude 7). Obeying the Gospel involves repentance (Lk. 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30-31), and one cannot repent of a sinful sexual relationship and remain in it. Adultery and homosexuality are both sinful sexual relationships. One can no more remain in an adulterous relationship and be pleasing to God than he can remain in a homosexual relationship and be pleasing to God! What Paul says here about contentment is universally applicable "in all churches."

Circumcised or Not, One Can Still Serve the Lord

Under the Law of Moses circumcision was a sign of the covenant (Ex. 12:48; Lev. 12:3), but physical circumcision is not required under the Gospel system of salvation (Gal. 5:3-4 cf. Col. 2:14; Rom. 2:28-29). It simply does not matter to God any more. Thus, Paul says, "Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. 19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God" (1 Cor. 7:18-19). One can answer the Gospel call in circumcision or in uncircumcision. What is important is "keeping of the commandments of God." Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision will influence God's favor (Gal. 5:6; 6:15). Submitting to God's will is more important than mere ritual observance (Mt. 7:21-23)!

Slave or Free, One Can Still Serve the Lord

Slavery was a fact of life in the first century Roman world. While slaves were definitely regarded as "lower" class citizens socially, there are no such distinctions in God's kingdom! Paul restates the principle of contentment, "Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called" (1 Cor. 7:20). One who answers God's call while being a slave should not be bothered by it. "Art thou called being a servant [slave, NKJ]? care not for it" (1 Cor. 7:21a). The term "care not [do not be concerned, NKJ] for it" shows that slaves can serve and glorify God as much as anyone (Eph. 6:5-8; Col. 3:22-24; Tit. 2:9-10). Although Christians are to be content in whatever vocation they are called, as long as those vocations are not inherently sinful (Phil. 4:11), they are to take advantage of opportunities to improve. Paul encourages the slaves who were called, "but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather" (1 Cor. 7:21b).

In Christ, one is both free and in bondage. "For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant [slave, NKJ], is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant [slave, NKJ]" (1 Cor. 7:22). Christians enjoy a freedom that no person can take away (Jn. 8:32-36; Rom. 6:6-7, 14, 22; 8:2; Gal. 5:1). Though free from men, Christians are in bondage to the Master because they have voluntarily surrendered to His will (Gal. 2:20). Because Christ paid their debt of sin on the cross, Christians are not to be the slaves of men. Paul reminds them, "You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men" (1 Cor. 7:23). Although many Christians in the first century were slaves (such as Onesimus, Phile. 10-19), their ultimate Owner was Christ, and they served Him by serving their earthly masters (Eph. 6:5-8; Col. 3:22-25). "Not...the servants of men" (1 Cor. 7:23b) and "not under bondage" (1 Cor. 7:15b) are thus related in that no person-whether earthly master, spouse, or otherwise-is to override our obedience to Christ (cf. Jn. 12:42-43; Rom. 2:29b).

Paul concludes this section as he began it, "Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God" (1 Cor. 7:24). One can serve God no matter his or her social standing, so long as that standing does not violate the law of Christ. Even a Christian whose spouse has departed and/or has been divorced can serve the Lord. The question for us is, Are we serving the Lord? Let us not use our marital status or social standing as an excuse for not serving. Rather, let us serve Him with every fiber of our being!