I Corinthians 7:17-24: "All Equal in God's Eyes"
In the last section we saw Paul dealing with the Corinthians and their discontent with their current marital conditions. He addressed those wanting to leave their spouses for various reasons, and had to put them in their place and show them what God requires of them. In this section, Paul addresses the Corinthian's desire to change their social standing. The main purpose of this section is to show believers that they are to be content in whatever circumstance God has put them in. Paul will show that God is concerned with the heart, rather than external conformity. Paul will use several examples to show us that we are to continue to serve God and only desire what he has given to us.
Paul begins, "Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk". The gospel will have radical affects on the heart. Once God changes our hearts, our lives will no doubt change. Our desires will be different, our attitudes will change, and we will notice our behavior changing. However, there may be other aspects of our lives that do not change. We don't suddenly get a new job, a new house, and a new family. There are still struggles and life may become even harder. Our focus is not to be on the external circumstances, but rather, to focus on our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. Our goal as Christians is not to start a social revolution where everyone looks, acts, and thinks the same, rather, our goal is to become more like Christ and win the hearts of the lost. MacArthur writes, "Biblical Christianity cannot help having radical effects on every person, institution, and practice around it. But the primary purpose of the gospel is to change people, not change society. Its focus is on inward change, not outward. We should be satisfied to be where God has put us, to accept what the Lord has assigned us, and to be faithful in whatever condition God has called us". To expound on his point Paul starts with his first example, "Was any man called already circumcised?" When Paul uses the word "called" in this section he is referring to the effectual call of God to a believer which results in salvation. Here Paul is saying, "were you circumcised when you responded to Christ?" If so, Paul says, "Let him not become uncircumcised". Circumcision was given to the Jews by God as a symbol. Circumcision was specific to the Jews, and was not practiced outside of their race. Therefore, to be circumcised meant to be Jewish. However, socially some of the Jews were embarrassed of this and to fit in with the Gentiles would desire to be uncircumcised. In fact, "Josephus tells us 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", writes MacArthur. The point is that a Jew does not need to change his appearance, or desire change in regard to his heritage. The opposite is also true. Paul writes, "Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised". Paul had previously dealt with this issue in his letter to the Romans (Rom. 2:25-29), and was a common problem in the early church. It was reported that the Jews were requiring the Gentiles to be circumcised before they could become a Christian. Paul is saying that it is not important whether you are Gentile or Jew, do not desire to be of another race or heritage, desire God and His commandments. Paul wanted to make clear that it is not the physical, the outward, the symbolic, it is the heart that follows after Christ that matters. That is why he writes, "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God". Paul is basically telling the Corinthians they are focusing on the wrong things. He wants them to redirect their attention to the proper place. That is to keep the commandments of God. MacArthur writes, "For Jews to want to appear as Gentiles or for Gentiles to subscribe to things unique to Jews was both spiritually and practically wrong. It was spiritually wrong because it added an outward form to the gospel that the Lord does not require and that has no spiritual merit or meaning. It was practically wrong because it unnecessarily separated believers from their families and friends and made witnessing to them much more difficult".
Paul then repeats the point he had just made at the beginning of this section, "Let each man remain in that condition in which he was called". Paul brings the attention back to his original point in order to lead into the next example. "Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it". You will notice that Paul is not concerned with approving or disapproving of slavery, rather, his point is to come along side those who are in slavery and tell them not to focus on and strive to be free. Their time and attention should not be wasted on their social standing, but rather, on their relationship to God. God will take care of them and if freedom is what God desires for them, He will allow that to happen. Paul addresses slaves in Eph. 6:5-8, "Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free". You can see that Paul was focusing their attention on their service to God, rather than the mistreatment and social injustice that was being done to them. Paul understands that slaves could be mistreated and have a burdensome daily life and so he writes them, "but if you are able also to become free, rather do that". It was OK for them to desire to be free, and if God allowed that opportunity, they should gladly accept it. However, it was not to be their focus, or cause them to be a bad testimony to their master. Paul gives a helpful reminder to slaves, "For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord's freeman". No earthly slavery can compare to the slavery of sin that once dominated their life. No matter how they are treated here on earth, they are in a much better state now that they are Christ's freedman.
Interestingly, Paul states the opposite of the fact that we a the "Lord's freedman", as he writes, "likewise he who was called while free, is Christ's slave". To this MacArthur writes, "Lest Christians who were physically free should gloat, thinking they were more favored by God than slaves or that their freedom meant license to do as they pleased, Paul reminds them, likewise eh who was called while free, is Christ's slave. Our freedom in Christ is not to sin but from sin, not freedom to do our own will but freedom to do His will". Continuing the slavery example Paul reminds the readers that "you were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men". Christ, by the shedding of His blood on the cross, purchased your soul, and you are no longer your own, but you are a slave to Christ. Therefore, do not become enslaved to man again. Do not buy into the world's lies. Do not focus our time on impressing and serving man, but rather to God. We are not to become slaves again to the ways and philosophies of this world. May our goal and focus be on serving and obeying God, pleasing Him with our actions. To summarize all he had just said, and hammer home the point he had made throughout this section Paul again reminds his readers, "Brethren, let each man remain with God in that condition in which he was called".
What a great reminder to focus our attention on Christ. It is so easy for us to focus our time and attention on pleasing man. How much time do we spend telling others about our successes so we can receive praise? How much effort do we spend on complaining about our circumstances and the trials we have to go through? Paul is reminding us that our time and efforts should be spent on serving Christ and he will put us in the place that is best for us, whether that is as a free man, a slave, Jew or Gentile; God knows what is best for our lives and we are to desire that. Let us remember Matt. 6:33, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you".
Paul begins, "Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk". The gospel will have radical affects on the heart. Once God changes our hearts, our lives will no doubt change. Our desires will be different, our attitudes will change, and we will notice our behavior changing. However, there may be other aspects of our lives that do not change. We don't suddenly get a new job, a new house, and a new family. There are still struggles and life may become even harder. Our focus is not to be on the external circumstances, but rather, to focus on our walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. Our goal as Christians is not to start a social revolution where everyone looks, acts, and thinks the same, rather, our goal is to become more like Christ and win the hearts of the lost. MacArthur writes, "Biblical Christianity cannot help having radical effects on every person, institution, and practice around it. But the primary purpose of the gospel is to change people, not change society. Its focus is on inward change, not outward. We should be satisfied to be where God has put us, to accept what the Lord has assigned us, and to be faithful in whatever condition God has called us". To expound on his point Paul starts with his first example, "Was any man called already circumcised?" When Paul uses the word "called" in this section he is referring to the effectual call of God to a believer which results in salvation. Here Paul is saying, "were you circumcised when you responded to Christ?" If so, Paul says, "Let him not become uncircumcised". Circumcision was given to the Jews by God as a symbol. Circumcision was specific to the Jews, and was not practiced outside of their race. Therefore, to be circumcised meant to be Jewish. However, socially some of the Jews were embarrassed of this and to fit in with the Gentiles would desire to be uncircumcised. In fact, "Josephus tells us 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", writes MacArthur. The point is that a Jew does not need to change his appearance, or desire change in regard to his heritage. The opposite is also true. Paul writes, "Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised". Paul had previously dealt with this issue in his letter to the Romans (Rom. 2:25-29), and was a common problem in the early church. It was reported that the Jews were requiring the Gentiles to be circumcised before they could become a Christian. Paul is saying that it is not important whether you are Gentile or Jew, do not desire to be of another race or heritage, desire God and His commandments. Paul wanted to make clear that it is not the physical, the outward, the symbolic, it is the heart that follows after Christ that matters. That is why he writes, "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God". Paul is basically telling the Corinthians they are focusing on the wrong things. He wants them to redirect their attention to the proper place. That is to keep the commandments of God. MacArthur writes, "For Jews to want to appear as Gentiles or for Gentiles to subscribe to things unique to Jews was both spiritually and practically wrong. It was spiritually wrong because it added an outward form to the gospel that the Lord does not require and that has no spiritual merit or meaning. It was practically wrong because it unnecessarily separated believers from their families and friends and made witnessing to them much more difficult".
Paul then repeats the point he had just made at the beginning of this section, "Let each man remain in that condition in which he was called". Paul brings the attention back to his original point in order to lead into the next example. "Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it". You will notice that Paul is not concerned with approving or disapproving of slavery, rather, his point is to come along side those who are in slavery and tell them not to focus on and strive to be free. Their time and attention should not be wasted on their social standing, but rather, on their relationship to God. God will take care of them and if freedom is what God desires for them, He will allow that to happen. Paul addresses slaves in Eph. 6:5-8, "Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free". You can see that Paul was focusing their attention on their service to God, rather than the mistreatment and social injustice that was being done to them. Paul understands that slaves could be mistreated and have a burdensome daily life and so he writes them, "but if you are able also to become free, rather do that". It was OK for them to desire to be free, and if God allowed that opportunity, they should gladly accept it. However, it was not to be their focus, or cause them to be a bad testimony to their master. Paul gives a helpful reminder to slaves, "For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord's freeman". No earthly slavery can compare to the slavery of sin that once dominated their life. No matter how they are treated here on earth, they are in a much better state now that they are Christ's freedman.
Interestingly, Paul states the opposite of the fact that we a the "Lord's freedman", as he writes, "likewise he who was called while free, is Christ's slave". To this MacArthur writes, "Lest Christians who were physically free should gloat, thinking they were more favored by God than slaves or that their freedom meant license to do as they pleased, Paul reminds them, likewise eh who was called while free, is Christ's slave. Our freedom in Christ is not to sin but from sin, not freedom to do our own will but freedom to do His will". Continuing the slavery example Paul reminds the readers that "you were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men". Christ, by the shedding of His blood on the cross, purchased your soul, and you are no longer your own, but you are a slave to Christ. Therefore, do not become enslaved to man again. Do not buy into the world's lies. Do not focus our time on impressing and serving man, but rather to God. We are not to become slaves again to the ways and philosophies of this world. May our goal and focus be on serving and obeying God, pleasing Him with our actions. To summarize all he had just said, and hammer home the point he had made throughout this section Paul again reminds his readers, "Brethren, let each man remain with God in that condition in which he was called".
What a great reminder to focus our attention on Christ. It is so easy for us to focus our time and attention on pleasing man. How much time do we spend telling others about our successes so we can receive praise? How much effort do we spend on complaining about our circumstances and the trials we have to go through? Paul is reminding us that our time and efforts should be spent on serving Christ and he will put us in the place that is best for us, whether that is as a free man, a slave, Jew or Gentile; God knows what is best for our lives and we are to desire that. Let us remember Matt. 6:33, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you".
posted by amesfam | 11:45 AM
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