Notes - verse 35

What does a well-ordered life look like? Paul has some advice to help. Having given the instructions in 1 Corinthians 7:26-34, which may have appeared to some as an unwelcome constraint (e.g. encouraging singleness, highlighting the hardships of marriage), Paul assures the Corinthians that his words are for their good, to lead them towards well-ordered lives. Rather than restricting them from certain activities, Paul is advising them that, in whatever they do, they should not lose sight of the fact that eternity is coming (1 Cor 7:29-31). He wants them to be ready, unlike the many who will not be (Matthew 24:38-39). He wants them to live free from earthly worries (v32-34), with undivided devotion to the Lord (1 Cor 7:35, cf. Col 3:23). Paul has seen (or soon will see) co-workers de-railed by a love for the world (2 Tim 4:10) and money (1 Tim 6:10). He also seems to understand the intense stress that marriage can bring (v28). Maybe his advice for the married – to take their eyes off each another (v29) and fix them on the Lord (v35) – is intended to address some observed pitfalls. With a foundation of devotion to the Lord in place (and consistently renewed), they can then seek to please one another (v33, 34). So the exhortation is clear: with eternity near, Paul would have us devoted to the Lord without distraction. Yes, be married, buy a house, make it comfortable and keep it in order, engage in business, keep fit, rejoice and mourn, but don't be distracted by these things. Do them unto the Lord. This is a well-ordered life. p.s. With the arrival of the New Year I have started reading Genesis. The simple truth struck me again: God made all things, and He sustains all things (Hebrews 1:3), and he will soon wrap this age up (Hebrews 1:12-13). He made us to live for Him. All our relationships and work, our expression of being made in his image, should be unto Him.

notes

1413625531129 Notes - verse 35 1451938378 1451987738 What does a well-ordered life look like? Paul has some advice to help. Having given the instructions in 1 Corinthians 7:26-34, which may have appeared to some as an unwelcome constraint (e.g. encouraging singleness, highlighting the hardships of marriage), Paul assures the Corinthians that his words are for their good, to lead them towards well-ordered lives. Rather than restricting them from certain activities, Paul is advising them that, in whatever they do, they should not lose sight of the fact that eternity is coming (1 Cor 7:29-31). He wants them to be ready, unlike the many who will not be (Matthew 24:38-39). He wants them to live free from earthly worries (v32-34), with undivided devotion to the Lord (1 Cor 7:35, cf. Col 3:23). Paul has seen (or soon will see) co-workers de-railed by a love for the world (2 Tim 4:10) and money (1 Tim 6:10). He also seems to understand the intense stress that marriage can bring (v28). Maybe his advice for the married – to take their eyes off each another (v29) and fix them on the Lord (v35) – is intended to address some observed pitfalls. With a foundation of devotion to the Lord in place (and consistently renewed), they can then seek to please one another (v33, 34). So the exhortation is clear: with eternity near, Paul would have us devoted to the Lord without distraction. Yes, be married, buy a house, make it comfortable and keep it in order, engage in business, keep fit, rejoice and mourn, but don't be distracted by these things. Do them unto the Lord. This is a well-ordered life. p.s. With the arrival of the New Year I have started reading Genesis. The simple truth struck me again: God made all things, and He sustains all things (Hebrews 1:3), and he will soon wrap this age up (Hebrews 1:12-13). He made us to live for Him. All our relationships and work, our expression of being made in his image, should be unto Him. notes 11451938378187

Arc 1 Cor 7:35

editing

NT

1 Corinthians 7:35

esv

mine

I say this

I say this (i.e. v26-34, about life priorities)

for your own benefit,

in order to help you

not to lay any restraint upon you,

that is, not to restrain you

but to promote good order

but to help you live a respectable life

and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

that is , that you be undistracted in your devotion to the Lord.

ideaexplanation

negativepositive

actionpurpose

What is a well-ordered life? It is one that has Jesus at it's centre, with other things in their proper place.

discourse

1413625531129 Arc 1 Cor 7:35 1414686943 1451940992 editing NT 46 7 35 7 35 1 Corinthians 7:35 esv mine i1457434 i1457429 I say this I say this (i.e. v26-34, about life priorities) i1457435 i1457430 for your own benefit, in order to help you i1457436 i1457431 not to lay any restraint upon you, that is, not to restrain you i1457437 i1457432 but to promote good order but to help you live a respectable life i1457433 and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord. that is , that you be undistracted in your devotion to the Lord. ideaexplanation 1 negativepositive 2 ideaexplanation 1 actionpurpose 2 What is a well-ordered life? It is one that has Jesus at it's centre, with other things in their proper place. 1 1 1 esv 25 mine 25 a 50 80 80 discourse 11414686942577