Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches. For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it. And the man who was uncircumcised when he became a believer should not be circumcised now. For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments. Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.
1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Why has Paul switched the topic and is now talking about circumcision and being slaves? It seems one minute he is discussing marriage issues and principles and now he is on to a totally different topic? What is the connectedness between these two sections? Why is this section even here in chapter 7? Many have been confused by it. There are those who question as to whether this is truly Paul. Some think it is the work of another author and it has been attached to 1 Corinthians 7. There are those who believe it is Paul writing but the section has been misplaced. Similar reasoning to the arguments surrounding Romans 9-11 and other portions of Paul. What do you think after reading it and knowing the thoughts of others on the matter?
Take some time to read it a number of times and connect the pieces. Read what went before it and what comes after it to ensure you examine it in context. Does it belong or doesn’t it? If it belongs in this place what was Paul’s intention?
We will examine it more tomorrow. I will give you a day to look at it for yourself first.
An object in possession seldom retains the same charm that it had in pursuit.
Pliny the Younger
Three rings of marriage are the engagement ring, the wedding ring, and the suffering.
Author Unknown
Like good wine, marriage gets better with age – once you learn to keep a cork in it.
Gene Perret