How does Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 7 shape our understanding of singleness, marriage, and undistracted devotion to Christ, and what practical applications does it have for Christians today?

Dr. Robert Lewis explores 1 Corinthians 7 with a focus on singleness, showing how Paul’s guidance offers both theological insight and practical wisdom. The single life, Paul argues, has distinct advantages over married life, particularly in the ability to devote oneself fully to Christ without divided interests. While marriage is not condemned, the single life allows greater flexibility, opportunity, and focus for spiritual service, and may even be the ideal lifestyle for some. Dr. Lewis emphasizes that singleness should be viewed as a gift and opportunity, not a restriction, and encourages both singles and married Christians to live with eternity in mind, subordinating temporal concerns to their devotion to God. The sermon also touches on widows, showing that older widows who dedicate their lives to Christ serve as examples of purpose and vitality, inspiring the church. Throughout, practical illustrations, historical examples, and anecdotes highlight how undistracted devotion can impact individuals and the broader Christian community.

1. Introduction

   • Recognition of the increasing number of singles in the church.

   • Importance of addressing singles directly (1 Corinthians 7).

2. Paul’s Instructions on Singleness

   • “Now concerning virgins…”: Paul’s opinion is trustworthy, guided by the Spirit.

   • Conditions for remaining single (verses 25–35):

     • Temporal considerations: “present distress” in the first-century church.

     • Theological considerations: “time has been shortened,” eternal perspective prioritizes Christ over marriage.

3. Advantages of Singleness

   • Undistracted devotion to the Lord (verses 32–34).

   • Flexibility and freedom to serve.

   • Opportunity to focus on prayer, study, ministry, and service without divided interests.

4. Practical Illustrations

   • Daily life comparisons between singles and married individuals.

   • Anecdotes emphasizing the freedom and productivity of single life.

   • Historical examples of influential singles (Joseph, C.S. Lewis, John R. Stott, Billy Graham’s mentors, etc.).

5. Conditions for Choosing Singleness

   • Verse 36–38:

     • Control: ability to resist sinful desires.

     • Conviction: firm decision in one’s heart to remain single for undistracted devotion.

   • Marriage is permissible if control or conviction is lacking.

6. Widows and Dedication to Christ

   • 1 Timothy 5:9: Recognition of widows committed to service.

   • Older widows serve as examples of purpose, vitality, and ongoing mission.

7. Conclusion & Practical Application

   • Singles: embrace advantages, focus on God, use time and energy wisely.

   • Married individuals: remember marriage is temporary in light of eternity.

   • Life’s ultimate focus should be Jesus Christ, not temporal concerns.

   • Encouragement to serve God undistractedly, impacting church and world.

• Singleness is a gift and an opportunity for spiritual focus and ministry.

• Marriage is not wrong, but it inherently divides attention between family and God.

• Temporal concerns (career, wealth, social expectations) should not overshadow devotion to Christ.

• Undistracted devotion requires both control over desires and conviction in one’s heart.

• Widows who dedicate their lives to God exemplify purposeful living beyond marriage.

• Historical examples demonstrate the lasting impact of single individuals in God’s kingdom.

• 1 Corinthians 7:1–40 – Paul’s instructions on marriage and singleness.

• Hebrews 10:32–34 – The “present distress” of first-century Christians.

• Matthew 22:30 – Marriage does not exist in the resurrection.

• 2 Peter 3:15 – Paul’s letters recognized as Scripture.

• 1 Timothy 5:9 – Guidelines for recognizing widows dedicated to Christ.

Recorded 10/11/81

How does God want us to view and use our bodies in a culture that either idolizes pleasure or dismisses the body as unimportant?

In this message, Dr. Robert Lewis unpacks Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 6:12–20, addressing the Corinthian church’s misunderstanding of Christian freedom and the body. Influenced by the prevailing Epicurean philosophy—“pleasure is the goal of life”—many in Corinth justified sexual indulgence with slogans like “All things are lawful for me” and “Food is for the stomach and the stomach is for food.”

Paul responds by clarifying that while Christians have freedom in Christ, not all things are beneficial, nor should believers be mastered by anything. The body is not a throwaway vessel for pleasure but an eternal instrument designed for the Lord. Because our bodies are members of Christ, sexual immorality is a profound contradiction to our union with Him.

Paul calls believers to flee immorality and reminds them that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. True intimacy is not found in physical indulgence but in spiritual union with Christ. The cure for immorality is not legalistic rule-keeping but learning to “think Jesus,” cultivating fellowship with the indwelling Spirit, and glorifying God in body and spirit.

1. Context and Background

   • Paul in Athens and Corinth (Acts 17).

   • Epicurean vs. Stoic philosophies shaping Corinthian culture.

   • Epicurean emphasis on pleasure over truth.

2. Corinthian Misunderstandings of Freedom (1 Cor. 6:12–13)

   • Slogans: “All things are lawful” and “Food is for the stomach.”

   • Paul’s clarifications: Is it profitable? Will it master me?

   • Freedom in Christ is not license for indulgence.

3. The Body’s Eternal Purpose (1 Cor. 6:14)

   • God raised Christ’s body and will raise ours.

   • The body is eternal and central to salvation.

4. Union with Christ vs. Union in Immorality (1 Cor. 6:15–17)

   • Sexual immorality contradicts union with Christ.

   • Contrast: intimacy through merging of bodies vs. merging of spirits with the Lord.

5. The Call to Flee (1 Cor. 6:18)

   • Immorality uniquely sins against one’s own body.

   • Subtle items of immorality: pornography, media, cultural messages.

   • Principle: All things lawful, but not all profitable; avoid what enslaves.

6. The Body as Temple of the Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19–20)

   • Believers are bought with a price.

   • The body is God’s dwelling place, meant for His glory.

   • The cure: “Think Jesus” — fellowship with the indwelling Spirit.

• Christian freedom has boundaries: ask “Is it profitable?” and “Will it control me?”

• The body matters to God: it is eternal, destined for resurrection, and united with Christ.

• Sexual sin is unique: it affects the whole person — body, soul, and spirit.

• True intimacy is spiritual: union with Christ satisfies more deeply than physical indulgence.

• The Holy Spirit indwells believers: we are temples, called to glorify God with our bodies.

• The path to purity is not legalism but fellowship with Christ — learning to “think Jesus.”

• Acts 17:16–18 — Paul confronts the philosophies of Athens.

• 1 Corinthians 6:12–20 — Paul’s correction of Corinthian slogans.

• Philippians 4:8 — Think on what is pure and honorable.

• Psalm 101:2–3 — “I will set no worthless thing before my eyes.”

• Colossians 1:27 — “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Recorded 9/20/81

When conflicts arise with other believers, do I rely on worldly methods of self-preservation, or do I trust God’s Spirit and His people to help me walk in love, humility, and faith?

In this sermon on 1 Corinthians 6, Dr. Robert Lewis addresses the problem of lawsuits among Christians in Corinth. The issue was not simply about legal disputes but about a deeper spiritual problem: the Corinthians had forgotten their theology and were living with a worldly spirit of survival rather than the Spirit-filled life.

Paul reminds the church that theology is not abstract or academic; it shapes everyday life and decisions. Believers are called to live out their future destiny now—managing disputes with wisdom, humility, and a focus on God’s Kingdom rather than possessions or personal rights. Instead of taking one another to court, Paul calls for Christian arbitration or, if necessary, Christian resignation, following the example of Christ who surrendered His rights for the sake of love.

Ultimately, Paul urges the Corinthians to remember who they are: washed, sanctified, and justified in Christ. Forgetting this truth leads them backward into a lifestyle of hopelessness, while remembering it moves them forward toward their destiny as Spirit-filled heirs of the Kingdom.

I. The Problem Identified (vv. 1–6)

• Christians were suing Christians in secular courts.

• Root issue: living as if theology has no place in daily life.

• Lawsuits reflected greed, selfishness, and immaturity in the faith.

II. The Theological Reminder (vv. 2–4, 9–11)

• “Do you not know?” repeated six times—calling them back to forgotten theology.

• Believers will one day judge the world and even angels.

• Christians must live now in light of their eternal destiny.

• To sue one another is to live like those outside the Kingdom.

• Remember your identity: washed, sanctified, and justified.

III. The Practical Solutions (vv. 5–8)

1. Christian Arbitration — seek resolution through wise believers and church leadership.

2. Christian Resignation — if necessary, yield rather than destroy relationships or Christ’s reputation.

IV. The Call to Move Forward (vv. 9–11)

• Do not retreat into sin and hopelessness.

• Live as Spirit-filled people who display God’s love and forgiveness.

• Theology must inform daily relationships and decisions.

• Theology is for life, not just the classroom. Biblical truth is meant to shape our daily decisions and relationships.

• Conflict among believers must be handled spiritually, not through worldly systems. The church is equipped with God’s Word and Spirit to resolve disputes.

• Possessions are never more important than people. Giving in for the sake of love protects unity and honors Christ.

• Remember your identity. We are washed, sanctified, and justified—called to live as heirs of God’s Kingdom.

• Moving forward requires Spirit-filled living. Retreating into selfishness and greed leads to defeat; surrender to the Spirit leads to peace and maturity.

• 1 Corinthians 6:1–11 – Lawsuits among believers and reminder of our identity in Christ.

• Matthew 5:40 – Jesus’ teaching on surrendering possessions rather than fighting.

• Revelation 20:4–6 – Believers’ future destiny to rule with Christ.

• Proverbs 18:19 – The difficulty of restoring an offended brother.

• Acts 18:8 – Corinthians’ baptism as a sign of leaving the old life behind.

Recorded 9/6/81