1 & 2 Corinthians| Lecture 9 : BC304-1&2 Cor-20260918

Okay, recording has started. All right, welcome to our next lecture. Uh, in the course of 1 and 2 Corinthians, we are in chapter number seven. So, in these next two lectures, the next two hours, we will go chapter number seven and 8. Okay. So, chapter number seven is a bit long. Uh, number eight is a bit short. So, we will try and adjust accordingly. Right? So we'll try and complete chapter number seven in this lecture but it might most likely go next hour. So um chapter number seven. So so far what have we been studying in 1 Corinthians? Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, right? It is the church has multiple problems. He's writing because of multiple issues reports that he's hearing. One they are divided. They're making groups. They are having We can't hear you. Uh, can you hear me? Check, check, check. Uh, just a second. Yeah, I think people can hear me. Yeah, maybe you'll just have to check your Yeah, it's it's it's working. Okay. Check your network. All right. So till chapter 6 uh they've been having issues they've been quarreling they're going to local judges. So there are many many issues right now in chapter number seven uh Paul now uh addresses certain questions. So this book of first Corinthians Paul is first writing about the issues problems but also this book answers questions that the believers had. So is it right to ask questions in church? Yes, you can ask questions. They also add questions, right? On different issues and Paul gives them an answer to these different issues. Right? So let's read 1 Corinthians chapter 7 verse 1 to6. Shall we start in person? In person first then we'll go online the next passage. Uh verse 1 to6. Oh there's no wire only. Is that ah yeah yeah okay. 1 Corinthians 7 verse 1-6. >> Now for the matters you you wrote about it is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman. But uh since sexual immorality is occurring each man should have a sexual relations with his own wife and each woman with her own husband. The husband should fulfill his uh marital duty to his wife and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but eelss uh it to her husband. In the same way the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not uh deprive each other except uh perhaps but sorry by mutual consent consent and for a time so that you may devote yourselves to prayer then come together again so so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. I say this as a concession not as a command. >> Okay. So chapter 7 it starts with verse one right now concerning things which you wrote to me. So they have written to him certain questions certain issues. Why? Because uh in the Corinthian culture there were a lot of they were facing a lot of things and so they had lot of questions on how do we as a church how do we as believers need to walk rightly in the midst of this culture. And in this chapter he's going to they had questions about marriage, about sex, about singleness and all these issues right in this one chapter is going to talk about marriage the role of sex um uh singleness uh divorce everything marriage and singleness. So if you want to get a deeper understanding of marriage and singleness and the role of sex chapter number seven is your answer. Okay. So let's start now concerning the things which you wrote to me. It is good for a man not to have sexual relationship with a woman or in the NKJV it says it it is good for a man not to touch a woman. That word touch simply means sexual. Right? So then so what he says is the act of physical sex is only for marriage. Right? So verse 2 and three, nevertheless, because of sexual immorality. So what does he mean by because of sexual immorality? Meaning in the culture in Corinth, there was a high level of sexual immorality. What does that mean? People were having sexual relationships outside of marriage. Homosexuality, man with man, woman with woman, uh man with woman, outside of marriage, prostitution. And so they they were living in a culture where sexual immorality was very high, right? They had all sorts of beliefs. So Paul is saying the act of physical sex is only for married man and woman between them where there is a covenant. So verse 2 and three, let each woman have their own husband. Sorry. Uh, nevertheless, because of sexual, let each man have his own wife. Each man have his own wife, and let each uh woman have have her own husband. Verse three, let the husband render to his wife the affection due to her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. That word render. So, one of the ways in marriage we show affection. There are many ways you can show affection. One of the ways is through physical sex. Right? In the marriage covenant, how do we show affection? The word affection simply means showing kindness or or an act of love. Render. The word render simply means to to give what you owe to pay a debt, right? And so verse 2 and three it's talking about physical sex is only when there is a marriage covenant. And one of the ways you show affection for each other, one of the ways you love each other is through sex, right? So uh this is not a PG-13. We're going to talk a lot about this. So you know you you need to try and like follow along because you need to understand it in its prof proper context. Right? So that word render in verse three simply means to give what is owed. So in marriage covenant one of the things you give your spouse is physical sex is all of us have these desires. One of the ways we fulfill those desires and receive those desires is through physical sex. One of the ways we show affection. Are we understanding right now? Verse four. Verse four, it says, "The wife does not have authority over her her own body, but the husband does. And likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does." So in expressing our affection to each other, our spouse, our spouse's body, we have there is mutual authority. Meaning my body does not belong to me. It belongs to my wife. Her body does not belong to her. Belongs to the husband. Are we understanding? My body is not only for me. My body is also for my spouse. They have authority. When I'm in a marriage covenant, my body also belongs to my wife. Her body also belongs to the husband. Amen. Verse five and six. Nobody will say amen because we're talking about we're talking about marriage and sex. But it's okay. We can say amen because it's written in the Bible, right? It is pure. It is holy. Right? So don't be don't think about these passages like oh this is very awkward. No, it's part of the Bible. Very important. It's part about marriage. It's not about marriage. It's not about physical sex. Very very important. So it's okay to say amen boldly also. Okay. Verse five and six. Verse five and six. Verse five and six. I don't want all of you to be awkward. Okay. That's why. Verse 5 and 6. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. But I say this as a concession not a command. So verse six, very interesting what Paul writes. I say this as a concession meaning I'm giving an advice. This is not a commandment. I'm giving instruction. Okay? And you will see in this chapter Paul giving instructions, not direct commands. He's giving a suggestion. He's given instruction that will help married people. And in verse five, he gives the instruction. Um it says the husband and wife should not use sex to abstain from each other. Right? So for example, the husband and wife should not withhold themselves. Withhold. abstain unless it is mutually agreed. Okay. For a certain season, let's pause on this activity of physical sex or affection. Why? So that we can focus maybe on prayer, fasting or you can also use this as you know practical things. For example, if one of the spouse is going through a very very difficult or very very hectic or busy season, unless they both mutually agree, let's abstain. But it has to come from both. You cannot use, you can't control your spouse by abstaining, saying no, I will not give you affection. I will not give you love. I will not um I will not express. You cannot control sex for yourself. It has to come from both. It's talking about communication. Are we understanding? Right? So it needs to come from mute from both. It's a mutual decision. Not one person decides this activity of sex or this this whole uh showing of affection. It has to come from both. And if both of them feel for a season that you know we need to pause that's okay as long as it is coming from both so that both are at peace both are not guessing both are at peace. So this is talking about the importance of communication between the spouse, between each other, right? And then he says this is a choice that couples can make. It is not a commandment. Paul is not saying you have to pause every season. No, he's just giving this as an instruction. It's it's from a place of wisdom. It's from a place uh he's he's giving. So it's not like a commandment. Thus says the Lord, you have to pause. No, it's an instruction because he realizes that sometimes there are seasons in life where either one of the spouse or both are very busy or they need to focus focus on certain things and one of the things that he says is fasting and prayer. Maybe there is a season where we have to focus on God and so then let us pause. Right? Are you understanding? Right? That's what fasting means by the way. When you fast, you actually give up everything else, not only food, everything, your phone. So that's what it's saying. When you fast, the the act of biblical fasting is not limited to only food, right? Yes, we do. Today's Friday, right? All of you are fasting. So it makes so much sense. So every every Friday the inerson students, they have fasting and prayer. So uh it's not only abstaining from food, it's everything, our phone, our priorities. And so we pause everything else and give our focus to God. But it needs to come from both. So verse 1 to six, what is it talking about? About marriage, the importance of sex in marriage. Right? That's verse 1-6. Shall we go to the next section? Yeah. Verse 7-9. Maybe someone online can read verse 7-9. 1 Corinthians chapter 7 verse 7-9. Someone online. >> For I wish that all men were even as I am myself. But each one has his own gift from God. One in this manner and another in that. But I say the unmarried and to the widows. It is good for them if they remain even as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. Or if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. >> Burn with passion. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you, Maui. Um, so 1 Corinthians 7:9 is talking about singleness and marriage being a gift. Okay. Sometimes you know we can look at people who are single and we can look down upon them. Oh why are they not married and we have all these opinions but Paul is saying both singleness and being married is a gift. So let's read verse 7. For I wish that all men were even as I myself. So what uh in this passage we get a very very clear answer that Paul was actually single. Okay. Now church history and lot of biblical scholars uh they are a little divided on Paul's marital status. Some say that Paul was single all his life. Some say that Paul because he was a Pharisee and for Pharisees marriage was a very very big thing. So some say that Paul was married but he became a widow meaning his spouse died when he was young. So regardless where he's writing he is single and we'll read that. So I wish all men were even as myself that each one has his own gift from God one in this matter manner and another in that. But I say to the unmarried and to the widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am. So that means he's saying he's saying to all the single men and the widows to remain unmarried even as I am. This is the clearest passage when where Paul says I am single like you. But what's the point? The point is verse seven. But each one has his own gift from God. One in this manner and another in that. Meaning both singleness and marriage is a gift. Both are valuable in the sight of God. Whether you're single, whether you're married. Now whether you're single and you want to get married, yes, that's a good desire. But when you are single, when you are married, both is a gift from God. So we shouldn't like we often do in culture and especially Indian tradition. We look at single people widows very differently. We shouldn't. It's a gift from God. God gives a grace. There's a grace of God that is upon their life for that season for that for that role. Whether they are single or whether they are married. Both marriage and singleness are gifts from God with grace given for each. Are we understanding? And um neither makes one person greater. Or just because I'm married doesn't mean I'm greater. Just because you're single doesn't mean you're greater. Are we understanding? Right. So and then uh verse 9 it talks about a practical issue. If a young if a single person is burning for sexual intimacy, it is better for him to get married so that he can fulfill his sexual desire or or that burning passion in marriage. It's a practical thing. Now very important listen to me very very carefully. This does not mean being single or getting married to fulfill sexual desire should be the main thing because marriage is not only about fulfilling sexual desires. Marriage is so much more. Marriage is a covenant from God. In fact, the first relationship that God had on God put on earth is marriage. Adam and Eve. So important. He brought a companion. Eve was a companion. So you should not use this verse and think, "Oh, I'll get married so that I can just fulfill my sexual desire." It is yes to a certain degree. Yes, that is one part. But you cannot make that your main thing. Marriage is so much bigger than that one part. So we can't use this verse. Uh it's actually a caution. When you teach these passages, you know, sometimes the worst thing you can do is isolate passages, isolate verses and then make it your doctrine. Oh, 1 Corinthians 7, it says this, so it'll be my mission. No, what does the rest of the Bible say about marriage, right? So, we need to understand these verses in the full context of scripture. Right? So, two main things. This verse cannot be used to for an excuse to get married only, right? You have to think of other things. Did God tell you? Is God leading you to this? Is God because it's a marriage covenant, right? And so, uh, and and second, a person struggling with sexual sin should not assume that marriage will automatically solve this. Just because you're struggling in this issue, you should not assume that when you get married, ah all my issues of sexual desires or or you know sexual drive or sexual uh addiction will will just disappear. Marriage doesn't solve for that. It's one of the ways you express your affection and your love. Are we understanding? So in this passage, it talks about both singleness and a and marriage being a gift. And if a young person is struggling in this area, one of the ways you can fulfill it is by getting married. But we do not make that as an excuse. Are we understanding? Yeah. So that is verse 7 to 9. Now let's go to the next section verse 10 to 16. So in the first section what did we see about the importance of sex in marriage and then there is mutual you know agreement. Then verse 7 to9 is about both singleness and marriage being a gift and how um uh you know if you are struggling in this area one of the ways you can fulfill it is by getting married but we don't use that as an excuse. Now let's go to the next section 1 Corinthians chapter 7 verse 10- 16 verse 10- 16 verse 10 to 16 can we read that in person please? Yeah. Anyone? 1 Corinthians 7:10-16. >> Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord. A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband uh is not to uh divorce his wife. But to the rest I I not the Lord say if any brother has a wife who does not believe and she is uh willing to live with him let him not divorce her. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe if he is willing to live with her let her not divorce him. For for the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean but now they are holy. But if a unbeliever um unbeliever departs let them depart. A brother or a sister is not under bond bondage in such cases. But God uh has called us to peace. Uh for how do you know oh wife whether you will save your husband or how do you know oh husband whether you will save your wife. >> Okay. So this section verse 10- 16 is talking about staying in marriage. Staying in marriage. So there are two scenarios. Verse 10 and 11 talks about both spouse. See in the Corinthian church what was happening is because so many of them were coming from different beliefs, different faith. There are cases where one of them came to faith and they're coming to church. So they're asking this question, Paul, what do we do? one of us is in faith, other one is not. There are cases where both of us are in faith. So verse 10 and 11 is talking about when both the spouse are believers. Okay, verse 10 and 11 here Paul is specifically speaking to marriages where both the husband and the wife are believers. And what does he say in verse 10? I command sorry not to to the married I command yet not I but the Lord meaning this is a command from God not just me. This is what what he says. A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried. Meaning don't get married again. Let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. Meaning come back to her husband. And it the ending of verse 11 and a husband is not to divorce his wife. So this is God's desire for a godly marriage. Divorce is not God's plan. Now what are the grounds for divorce? Okay, I'll I'll before answering that question, let's turn to Matthew chapter 19 just as little side quest because Jesus also talks about this. Matthew chapter 19 3-6. Matthew 19 very interesting passage. Matthew chapter 19:3-6. I'll read it. Matthew 19:3-6. The Pharisees also came to him, testing him and saying to him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?" See, in Jesus's day, uh, people would use any reason to divorce, not just sexual immorality. So the Pharisees are coming to test him because different rabbis had different ideas. So now Jesus was a rabbi. Jes he was a teacher of the law. And so the Pharisees came to him testing him and said, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?" Verse three, they're asking a question. What's the question? Divorce. Look at how Jesus answers in verse four. Verse four. Then he answered and said to him, "Have you not read? Have you not read Genesis?" What is the question about divorce? How is Jesus answering? He doesn't answer about divorce. He's talking about marriage. You see how God to Jesus how important marriage was. Question was about divorce. But Jesus is focusing on marriage. Verse four, he answered and said to them, "Have you not read that he who made them at the beginning made them male and female?" Talk about Adam and Eve, male and female. And said, "For this reason a man shall not man shall leave his not shall not shall leave shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife." So Adam and Eve were not just friends. If anyone asks what is Eve to Adam, they were a marriage. It was a covenant. Okay? Um and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. So then they are no longer two but one flesh. Look at how it ends. Verse six. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate. See, as far as God is concerned, this is his desire for a Christian marriage that we should not separate. We should not divorce. But when you go to verse 9 um uh or I think it's yeah verse 9 there are two grounds for divorce there are two reasons one when one of the spouses commits sexual immorality Jesus answers so Jesus answers the Pharisees but he comes later first he says have you not read why because Jesus was in the beginning he also was there father son holy spirit making Adam and Eve he knows And he was telling, "Have you not read? This is what is important to me. Your question is about divorce. I will answer it. But first, have you not read? Focuses on marriage." So God's desire for marriage is not divorce. It's not separation. But there are grounds even in Christian marriage for divorce. Number one, sexual immorality. If there is a clear violation of sexual immorality between either one of the spouse, the other spouse has it is right in front of God and man to separate sexual immorality. Number two, if the spouse leaves deserts the other spouse, we will read that later in this passage in 1 Corinthians. When the spouse leaves or deserts or leaves the home or leaves the spouse that is also a reason. Are we understanding? Two reasons. Now question what about abuse? What about abuse? It may not be sexual in nature. What about abuse? I'd like to hear from you. You will have all these questions in church by the way. What about abuse? So see basically between the husband and the wife it's not sexual immorality but there is abuse meaning there is physical abuse you know there there's beating or there is words there is oppression there is control what do you guys think it's not a trick question I'm just asking what do you honestly think or online what do you guys think misuse what should they do what should the spouses do husband and wife if one of them feels that there is abuse in the marriage because Bible is very clear no sexual immorality and desertation separation >> they should separate for a while they should separate for some time until the issue is resolved >> good very nice so Juliana says they should separate for a file and sort their issues. Okay, very nice. Any other any anyone else? So the answer to this is it needs to come from a place of wisdom. Like how Juliana said, she she's answering from a place of wisdom. They should separate and every marriage is unique. So there may be counseling required. There may be um you know but if I will go on to say this and and pastor in one of the sermon series he he talks about this I can link that to you. If for a if even after a while there is no change what is the marriage covenant? Marriage covenant is called a place of blessing. It's called a place where God's hand is over it. And if someone is violating that covenant, if there is no change even after a prolonged period of counseling trying to correct, then the best thing to do is to separate yourself because marriage covenant is not a place for abuse. Marriage covenant is supposed to be a place where I enjoy God's blessing on my life. Are we understanding? So the to answer this question between two believers who are husband and wife yes one sexual immorality desertation number three if there is abuse we try to reconcile we try to counsel we try to give wisdom to them we try to get help we try to give them help but if there is no change if it is going on and on and on and if this spouse is suffering from the other spouse because of abuse It could be sexual, it could be emotional, it could be physical, it could be any sort of abuse. They are not safe. This is not God's plan for them. They are actually in bondage. And then the best thing they can do is after a lot of prayer and wisdom and prayer and and and counseling and mentorship, the best thing they can do is to separate, take away, come out of the covenant. Are we understanding? So there is no right and wrong. There's no black and white is what I'm trying to say. Okay. So verse 10 and 11 is talking about spouses that are believers. Verse 12 onwards is talking about um so Paul writes in verse 12, but to the rest I say he's talking about when one of the spouses are unbelievers. So verse 10 and 11 is talking to believers who are in a marriage covenant. Verse 12 onwards is talking about the rest. Who are the rest? when one of the spouse is an unbeliever and this is what he says to the rest uh to the rest I not the lord say so he's saying this is my instruction to you this is not a commandment this is my instruction now when Paul says this is from me and not the lord how do we read this how do we because Paul is saying right this is an instruction not a command but 2 Timothy 3:16 It says all scripture is God breathed inspired. So we can take every scripture, every verse for us even though Paul says this is from me but it is inspired from the Holy Spirit. That's how we read these these passages. Okay. But I but to the rest I nor the Lord say if any brother has a wife who does not believe and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. very clear. If you are married to an unbeliever but they are willing to be in marriage, stay married. Don't divorce. If the wife is is uh living with a unbeliever husband and the husband is willing to accept you are from the Christian faith, stay married. Clear instruction. Okay. Now look at verse 14. Very interesting verse 14. Very very interesting. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband otherwise your children would be unclean but now they are holy. Ah amazing. So Paul is saying because you're a believer you're the only believer in your home your spouse is sanctified. God has his favor, his blessing upon the home because one of you is a believer. That does not mean he gets salvation. No, salvation comes from the heart. But because you are a believer, your home is sanctified. So this is a great encouragement to people who are in marriage, they come to faith. One of them have come to faith. This is a great encouragement. We should tell them stay strong. in the faith. Keep believing. Keep praying because your faith is sanctifying your home. It's sanctifying your spouse, sanctifying your children. God's blessing, God's hand, God's favor is on the home because one of the spouse has faith. Are we understanding? Very very interesting. Verse 14, right? Verse 15. But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart. So if they are willing stay married. If they depart you can separate. If the unbeliever is not accepting that you are a believing spouse in faith if they depart they say I don't want this. You can separate. That's what verse 15 is saying. But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace. For how do you know oh wife whether you will save your husband or how do you know oh husband whether you will save your wife. So you shouldn't you know if they depart or if they don't agree you shouldn't have that it should not be on you for their salvation. Don't be under bondage. Don't carry that burden. Salvation is always from the heart. They need to make the choice. Right? So if they stay stay married but if they depart you can separate. Now again another caution we should not use this passage for single people to say I can get married to an unbeliever. Why? Because the rest of scripture says do not be unequally yolked with an unbeliever. So you can't use this passage. This passage is for people who are already married. You can't use this as a single person and say, "Oh, I can marry an unbeliever." No. If you are single and if you understand that, if you understand God's word and you are strong in your faith, Bible clearly says do not be yolked with an unbeliever. This passage is for people who are married and then they have come to faith. One of them have come to faith. See we we should understand these passages in their context otherwise we'll start misusing. Single people say oh yeah I think I can get my because they agree. You can use this right because Paul says if they agree you can say but no you need to understand this passage is only for uh people who are married because in the Corinthian church there were some spouses one of the spouse sorry one of the people in one of the person in the marriage covenant who was coming to faith they are only coming to church they had these questions and Paul is giving them this instruction are you understanding yeah so in this passage what did we about marriage, grounds for divorce and then the case when one of them is married and Paul gives them the instruction. What's the instruction? If they are staying, stay married. If they depart, you are not under bondage. You can separate. But the amazing thing is verse 14. You putting your faith is sanctifying your spouse, your unbelieving spouse. This does not mean they are saved. This just means that God's blessing is upon their home. God's blessing is upon their children. This is so amazing. You can This is such an encouragement to people who are struggling. How many of you know it's very tough when when one of you is believing and your spouse is not? Very tough. you come to church alone like your family is not there but you can tell them hey because you believe there's a blessing in your home keep praying for your spouse that they may come to the knowledge of Jesus amen >> all right let's go to the next section verse 17- 24 1 Corinthians chapter 7 17- 24 maybe someone online can read it please verse 17- 24 anyone online 1 Corinthians chapter 7 verse 17- 24 >> but as God has distributed to each one as the Lord has called each one so let him And so I ordered in all the churches. Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. But keeping the commandments of God is what matters. Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it. But if you can be made free, rather use it. For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freed man. Likewise, he who is called while free is Christ's slave. You are bought at a price. Do not become slaves of men. Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called. >> Yeah. Thank you. Thank you, V. So verse 17- 24 is talking about being faithful where God has called you. Be faithful where God has called you. Verse 17, but as God has distributed to each one, as God, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. See verse 17. God has given to each one of us what we need, what we have. And he has called each one of us where we are. Just walk in that faithfully. Are we understanding? See, context is marriage and singleness. Right? So context, the correct understanding is don't say when you're single, I wish I was married. Be faithful. If God has called you to be single in this season, be single. God has called you to be married. Don't say when you're married, I want to be single. No. where God has called you, where God God has placed you, be faithful, be God has given you grace, God has given you a gift for that season. Are we understanding? So you can serve God in your season. Now this is immediate context is marriage. But you can take this even you can extend this. Don't say I'm a young person. I wish I was like pasish. No, be faithful where God has called you in this season. You're a Bible college student. In this season, I'm a professor. I think be faithful in that. Right? Whatever role God has given you in your season, be faithful is what verse 17 is talking about. God has distributed. Meaning, he has given you grace for that season. Don't compare. Be faithful in where God has called you. Whatever the situation, whatever the circumstance, be faithful. Right? So then verse 20, verse 20, 20 and 24 are almost the same verse. Verse 20, it says, "Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called." Verse 24, brethren, let each one remain with God in the in that stage state with which he was called. Same same thing. Serve God where you are. Be faithful in your season. If God has called you right now where you are, be faithful in that. He is leading you. Don't compare. Don't make statements like this. I wish. I hope you. It's It's a good desire to have, but don't take your eyes off right now. It's a good desire. Yes, God will take you season to season. But in this season, stay faithful. Stay faithful to serve God where you are. Right now, um verse 21. Verse 21. Verse 21. Were you called while a slave? Okay. How do you understand this? Now in the Corinthian church during that culture people had slaves meaning they were like they were under a master in a house and they would become a believer. So verse 21 were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it. Meaning even though you're a slave in someone else's home be faithful. Don't be concerned. It's okay. God can still use you. See sometimes we think just because we have something that is it sounds very bad in society like slave or you can use any other thing like where people generally look down on certain jobs right it could be okay I'll give an example very bad example but I'll give that people who clear our trash right we look down upon it like oh what a horrible job every morning I have to go and take that he's saying even if you're a slave be faithful don't be worried about it right then verse 20 uh verse 21 uh were you not called a slave do not be concerned about about it but you can be made free but if you can be made free rather use it so if an opportunity arises where you can be made free use it be free right but the first of the verses don't be concerned about it. God can still use it. But if you have an opportunity, if an opportunity arises where you can be made free, be free. You don't need to be a slave to anyone. Right? Are we understanding? Yeah. Context. Yeah. Okay. Last verse, verse 23. For you were bought with a price. Verse 23. You were bought at a price. Do not become slaves of men. So you were bought at a price. The blood of Jesus, we belong to him. Even though you are a slave under this master's house, ultimately you are bought at a price. You belong not to your earthly master. You honor them. We all we all have masters, right? We all have bosses. We all have people that we report to. We all will have throughout our life, we will have someone above us, the government above us. Honor them, but we don't belong to them. We only belong to Jesus. He bought us. We are covered by the blood of Jesus. Yeah. So, we'll pause here and then we will go to the next section. But are we understanding? Yeah. Chapter 7, it's all about marriage, the role of sex, divorce, singleness, uh and then be faithful to where you are called. Okay. So, we'll pause here and then we will come back at um uh for the next lecture. All right. Are we understanding? Yeah, we are learning. Okay. All right. We'll take a break and be back in 10 minutes. Thank you.