The Strand Study Bible

Written From Ephesus During Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

I CORINTHIANS 7:36 - 9:6

1892

attend upon the Lord without distraction. 36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. 37 Nevertheless 1 he that standeth sted- fast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. 38 So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better. Believers are to marry only believers 39 2 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; 3 only in the Lord. 40 But she is 4 happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God. I Corinthians 8 Christians must not offend weaker Christians Date Written - Spring of AD 57 1 Now 5 as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if any man love God, 6 the same is known of him. 4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that 7 an idol is noth- ing in the world, and that there is none other 8 God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, 9 of whom are all things, and 10 we 11 in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, 12 by

whom are all things, and we by him. 7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: 13 for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing of- fered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But 14 meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; nei- ther, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9 But take heed lest by any means this 15 liberty of yours become a stumbling- block to them that are weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 13 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when ye sin so against the breth- ren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. I Corinthians 9 Though an Apostle, Paul refuses to exercise his right to accept the tithe from God’s people Date Written - Spring of AD 57 1 Am I not an 16 apostle? am I not free? 17 have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? 18 are not ye my work in the Lord? 2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. 3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 4 Have we not 19 power to eat and to drink? 5 Have we not power to lead about a sis- ter, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the 20 brethren of the Lord, and 21 Cephas? 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to 22 forbear working?

1. that is, “he that has the character to remain pure” 2. Rom 7:2 3. II Cor 6:14 4. or, “blessed” 5. Acts 15:20,29 & 21:25 & Rev 2:14,20 6. Nah 1:7 7. Isa 41:23-24 8. or, “Godhead” - Deut 6:4 & Job 31:15 & Zech 14:9 & Mal 2:10 & Jn 10:30-33 9. Rev 4:11 10. or, “the Church” 11. Gr., “for” (lit., and we for him) 12. Jn 1:3 & Colo 1:16-17 & Eph 3:9 & Heb 1:2-3,10 & 2:10 13. Rom 14:14-15,20 -22 & I Cor 10:28 14. Rom 14:2,17 & I Tim 4:4 15. or, “power; right; authority” -Gal 5:13 16. Acts 9:15 & II Cor 12:12 17. Acts 9:3-6 & I Cor 15:8 & Gal 1:12 18. Acts 18:1-18 & I Cor 3:6 & 4:15 19. or, “scriptual authority” - Mt 10:10 & Lk 10:7 20. Mk 6:3 21. Mt 8:14 22. that is, “not to work an outside job” Note - Biblically, Paul had every right not to work a second job ( forbear working ), but to expect God’s people at Corinth to support him through the tithe ( Num 18:21,24 , Mal 3:8 , I Cor 9: 13- 14 and Neh 13:10).

7:39 According to I Corinthians 7:39, God is more interested in “what” you marry ( only in the Lord ) than “who” you marry. For if who you marry does not agree with what you believe, then what you believe will greatly interfere with who you married. Amos 3:3 says, “ Can two walk together, except they be agreed? ” God is not against mixed marriages (Num 12:1-3), only mixed beliefs. 8:1 Sadly, Christians want to “learn” more than they want to “live what they have learned.” However, it’s not what you “know” ( Knowledge puffeth up ), but how you “live what you know” that matters to God (Jn 8:30-32). 8:6 a To an informed Christian ( to us ), an idol is nothing. To us there is but one FATHER , one LORD , and one SPIRIT ( Eph 4: 4- 6 ), called the Trinity. The Triune Godhead exists as three distinct co-eternal persons, all equally God, who work as one. Thereare no other gods. 8:6 b The phrase “ and we in ( for ) Him” means the Church’s function is to glorify the FATHER . 8:6 c The phrase “ by whom are all things” means CHRIST is the agent whereby God created all things (Colo 1:16-17). 8:6 d The phrase “ and we by Him” means that we are the result of CHRIST’S creation.