Read these Chapters
1 Corinthians 5:
Paul
addresses a case of sexual immorality within the church involving a man with
his stepmother. Paul is alarmed that the church is proud instead of mourning
and removing the wrongdoer from among them. He instructs them to deliver such a
person to Satan for the destruction of the flesh so his spirit may be saved.
Paul emphasizes the imperative to purge the evil person from among them. He
clarifies that his previous instructions on associating with immoral people
pertain to people within the church, not outside it.
1 Corinthians 6:
Paul deals with
lawsuits among believers in this chapter. He is dismayed that believers go to
secular courts rather than resolving their disputes within the church. He
reminds them that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God and lists
various sins, stating that some of them were such sinners but have been washed,
sanctified, and justified. Paul also discusses sexual immorality, instructing
believers to flee from it as it sins against one’s own body, which is a temple
of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 7:
Chapter 7 contains
Paul’s teachings on marriage, celibacy, and divorce. Paul states that celibacy
is good but recognizes that it is not practical for everyone. He provides
instructions for married couples, emphasizing that spouses should not deprive
each other of marital rights. He addresses the unmarried and widows, advising
them to remain single but permitting marriage if they lack self-control. Paul
also gives guidance on mixed marriages (between believers and unbelievers),
emphasizing the sanctifying effect of the believing spouse and the importance
of maintaining peace in the relationship.
1 Corinthians 8:
In this chapter, Paul
discusses food offered to idols. He begins by contrasting knowledge, which
puffs up, with love, which builds up. Paul acknowledges that idols have no real
existence and that there is only one God and one Lord, Jesus Christ. However,
he points out that not all possess this knowledge and that some, with
consciousness of the idol, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their
conscience, being weak, is defiled. Paul concludes by saying that if food makes
a brother stumble, he will never eat meat, lest he makes his brother stumble.
