Knowledge, Liberty, and Love

Temple Baptist Church - 10-29-2025

1 Corinthians 8:1–13

 

Introduction:

 

A.  The church at Corinth was a church rich in spiritual gifts, knowledge, and zeal. Yet, Paul had to correct them often because their knowledge was not always tempered by love. In this chapter, Paul addresses a very practical problem in the early church—whether Christians should eat meat that had been offered to idols.

 

B.  Sacrifices offered to idols often ended up with street vendors and were sold to the public as food. This was a common practice that caused some division among the Corinthian believers. Although these believers knew that the meat was simply meat, some bought it while others avoided doing so. It had become a problem within the Corinthian church.

 

C.  Paul addresses the problem both here in chapter eight and also in chapter ten.  In this chapter, we find three things addressed concerning the problem within the church.  The chapter is not about meat.  It is about knowledge, liberty, and charity. The question was not just about food—it was about conscience, testimony, and the proper use of Christian liberty.

D.  We face these same issues today. Too often, men's preferences turn into “convictions.” Many of the challenges we encounter are not directly addressed in the Bible, so we need to apply its principles correctly. Many of these so-called “convictions” quickly change for the individual when their circumstances change, making them preferences.  Over the years, I have found that preferences change with circumstances, but convictions do not. 

 

Illustration:  For years, Barbara and I chose not to support restaurants, grocery stores, etc., that sold alcohol.  There were places that did not sell it so we frequented them instead.  Today, everywhere you go — Walmart, Dollar General, Ingles, etc. — they sell it.  We buy at Walmart, Dollar General, and Ingles.  Some will disagree with me here, so, you do you. 

 

E.  Paul did not admonish these believers for going to places where this “idolatrous meat” was sold, nor did he admonish these believers not to buy it.  It was just meat.

 

F.  In this passage, Paul teaches that knowledge alone can puff up, but love builds up; and that our liberty in Christ must never become a stumbling block to others.

 

1.  Verses 1-3.  Knowledge Without Love Is Dangerous.

 

“Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.” — 1 Corinthians 8:1

 

a. Knowledge can puff up!  The Corinthians pride themselves on their superior understanding.  They knew that an idol was nothing (verse 4), and therefore that eating such meat was not sinful in itself.

 

b.  Yet, their knowledge had made them proud rather than compassionate.  Knowledge without humility becomes arrogance; knowledge without love becomes cruelty.

 

c.  Charity edifies.  Brotherly Love always builds others up.  The goal of Christian maturity is not to win arguments, but to win people.  True knowledge should lead to compassion, not condemnation.

 

d.  True knowledge comes from loving God (verse 3).  “But if any man love God, the same is known of him.”  The test of spiritual maturity is not how much we know about God, but how much we love God and His people.

 

2.  Verses 4-6.  The Reality of Christian Liberty.

 

“We know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.”

 

a. The truth about those idols was that they are powerless—they are mere objects, Paul called them “nothing in the world.”  The believer knows there is “one God, the Father... and one Lord Jesus Christ” (verse 6).

 

b. This knowledge brings about liberty.  A mature believer understands that food cannot commend or condemn him before God (verse 8).

 

Romans 14:17 says, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

 

c.  The limitations of liberty:  Therefore, a Christian has liberty to eat such things if it does not violate his conscience or harm his testimony.

 

3. Verses 7-12.  The Limitation of Christian Liberty.

 

“But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.”

 

a.  Not every believer has the same knowledge. (verse 7)  Some converts from paganism were still sensitive to anything associated with idols.  Though idols were nothing, their past experiences made eating such food feel wrong.  There is a huge difference between the person who never touched strong drink and the one who was saved from drunkenness.

 

b.  Liberty can become a stumbling block (verses 9–10)  If a stronger believer eats idol-meat publicly, the weaker believer might follow his example against his conscience.  Thus, the strong brother’s liberty leads another to spiritual harm.  A liberty exercised without love becomes sin.

 

c. Wounding a weak conscience is sin against Christ (verse 12)

 

“But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.”

 

d.  Every believer is precious to Christ; therefore, we must handle each other with care.

 

4. Verse 13.  The Example of Love’s Self-Denial.

 

“Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.”

 

a. Paul’s resolution.  Paul was willing to give up his liberty for the sake of a weaker brother.

 

b.  Love always chooses self-denial over self-indulgence.

 

c.  He does not say that eating meat is wrong, but that causing someone else to stumble is.

 

Conclusion: 

 

a.  Knowledge without love puffs up—but love builds up.

 

b.  Liberty without love tears down—but love edifies.

 

c.  Love limits liberty for the sake of others.

Mount Zion, The City of God

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-26-2025

Psalm 87

 

Introduction:

A. This particular Psalm is about Mount Zion, the City of God. This psalm is both historical and prophetic, reflecting God's special love for Zion and His plan to make it the joy of the whole earth.

 

Psalms 48:1-3 A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. (2) Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. (3) God is known in her palaces for a refuge.

 

B. I want to take a biblical, historical, contemporary, and prophetic look at “The City of God.”

 

1. Contemporary first, as it is the day in which we live. After being a wilderness for a millennium or more, we find the Jewish people returning to their national and eternal homeland.

 

2. Historically, the Jewish people were scattered after 70 AD because they rejected Jesus Christ, their Messiah, and pronounced a curse upon themselves and their children.

 

Matthew 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

 

3. The Allenby Declaration of 1917, the Balfour Declaration, designated Palestine as the national homeland of Israel. In 1948, Israel was recognized as a nation, and the Israeli Flag, the Star of David, was raised.

 

4. Today, I often hear the word “Zionist” when referring to a specific part of the people of Israel. Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu is referred to as such.

 

5. A Zionist is someone who supports Zionism, which is the movement for the return of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland and the establishment (and continuation) of a Jewish nation in the land of Israel—specifically, the area historically known as Zion, or Jerusalem.

 

6. Zion is an Old Testament term for Jerusalem, used by today's Jews because it predates the coming of the Messiah whom they still reject. Today’s Orthodox Jews remain faithful to the Old Testament, which anticipated the Messiah, while rejecting the New Testament and the Messiah who came unto His own.

 

7. Now, we see Mount Zion, Jerusalem, the City of God, being readied for the beginning of Jacob’s Trouble and the restoration of the Nation of Israel to its former glory.

 

C. Much is said about Zion and Jerusalem in the Bible.

 

1. Salem. The First Mention is found in the word “Salem.” Salem – four mentions in the Bible, three times in Genesis 14 and once in Hebrews 7:13.

 

a) Salem shâlêm shaw-lame' “Full or Perfect Peace” ; peaceful; Shalem, an early name of Jerusalem, and today’s Jews use the word “Shalom” as a salutation, meaning Peace.

 

b) In type, Melchizedek is a type of Christ, the Prince of Peace, who will reign after the Order of Melchizedek during the Millennium.

 

Genesis 14:18-20 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. (19) And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: (20) And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

 

Hebrews 7:1-3 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; (2) To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; (3) Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

 

2. Zion. Used 153 times in the Bible. All 153 mentions are found in the Old Testament.

 

a) Zion means conspicuous, a waymark, or a monumental or guiding pillar.

 

b) The First Mention of Zion – 2 Samuel 5:7 Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion: the same is the city of David.

 

c) Here, it is called a “strong hold … the city of David.

 

3. Jerusalem. Used 814 times in the Bible, emphasizing its eternal importance.

 

a) Jerusalem – dual, founded peacefully. Dual refers to the two main mountains that make up Jerusalem: Mount Zion and Mount Moriah.

 

b) The first Mention – Joshua 10:1 Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;

 

c) The Last Mention – Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

 

1. Verse 1 – “His foundation is in the holy mountains.” The “foundation” refers to God’s establishment of Zion. The Lord Himself founded Jerusalem upon the holy mountains—Mount Zion and Mount Moriah. This is not man’s doing; it is God’s chosen dwelling place.

 

Psalms 132:13-14 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. (14) This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

 

a. Spiritually, Mount Zion and Mount Moriah are important.

 

1) On Mount Moriah, our Lord and Saviour died. Raised, lifted from the earth for all the world to see.

 

John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

 

2) On Mount Zion, our Lord and Saviour will reign.

 

Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (7) Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

 

b. Mount Zion is a stronghold, a beacon for all the world to see. It speaks of the unshakable in its strength and enduring in its stability of God’s purposes.

 

Verse 2 – “The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.” Here we see God’s preference. Though He blessed all the dwellings of Jacob (the tribes of Israel), He loves Zion uniquely because it is the place of His presence and worship.

 

a. Gates - “Gates” symbolize access—the entry point into worship and fellowship with God. This is a covenant relationship with Israel.

 

Luke 13:34-35 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! (35) Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

 

b. Zion – The place of God’s delight today. Hebrews 12:22-24 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, (23) To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (24) And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

 

Verse 3 – “Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.”

 

a. Declaration - The title “City of God” reveals the intimate relationship between God and Jerusalem. It’s not merely Israel’s capital—it’s God’s dwelling on earth.

 

Psalms 48:1-2 A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. (2) Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.

 

b. Prophetically – The future glory when Zion will be the center of Christ’s millennial reign (Isaiah 2:2-3; Zechariah 8:3).

 

Zechariah 2:10-13 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD. (11) And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee. (12) And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again. (13) Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.

 

c. Selah – a call for reflection and meditation on the greatness of Zion’s eternal destiny.

 

Verse 4 – “I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.” Prophetic of the conversion of nationalities.

 

a. The Nations – Rahab (a poetic name for Egypt), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia were Gentile nations and often the enemies of Israel and God.

 

b. The People – This man was born there—the Covenant through the Gospel to all who will come.

 

Galatians 3:27-29 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

 

Verse 5 – “And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her.”

 

a. A New Birth - This and that man was born in her. We were not physically born there but, in the spiritual sense, we were.

 

b. A New Jerusalem to hover over Mount Zion in Revelation 21.

 

1. Historically: God protected and preserved Jerusalem

 

2. Prophetically: God will establish the New Jerusalem eternally (Revelation 21:2–3).

Zion’s strength is not political or military, but divine.

 

Verse 6 – “The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah.”

 

a. God Himself keeps the record of His people. What a privilege to be written among the citizens of Zion! When the roll of God’s citizens is written, it will include those born into Zion—not by natural birth, but by spiritual birth into God’s family.

 

b. Their names will be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

 

Verse 7 – “As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.” This closing verse is a song of joy and worship.

 

a. Praise now - The singers and players on instruments represent united praise—heavenly harmony flowing from redeemed hearts.

 

b. “All my springs are in thee” – All sources of life, joy, and blessing are found in Zion—in God Himself.

 

c. Zion thus becomes the fountainhead of eternal joy.

 

Conclusion:

 

a. From David’s Zion to the New Jerusalem, the Bible unfolds one great story — God dwelling with His people through the reign of His Son.

 

Marching to Zion

Words by Isaac Watts (1707)
Refrain by Robert Lowry (1867)

 

Verse 1
Come, we that love the Lord,
And let our joys be known;
Join in a song with sweet accord,
Join in a song with sweet accord,
And thus surround the throne,
And thus surround the throne.

Verse 2
Let those refuse to sing,
Who never knew our God;
But children of the heavenly King,
But children of the heavenly King,
May speak their joys abroad,
May speak their joys abroad.

 

Verse 3
The hill of Zion yields
A thousand sacred sweets,
Before we reach the heavenly fields,
Before we reach the heavenly fields,
Or walk the golden streets,
Or walk the golden streets.

 

Verse 4
Then let our songs abound,
And every tear be dry;
We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground,
We’re marching through Immanuel’s ground,
To fairer worlds on high,
To fairer worlds on high.

 

Refrain:
We’re marching to Zion,
Beautiful, beautiful Zion;
We’re marching upward to Zion,
The beautiful city of God.

 

Biblical Inspiration:

 

Psalm 125:1–2 – “They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion…”

 

Hebrews 12:22 – “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem…”

 

Revelation 21:2 – “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven…”

 

 

b. Jerusalem’s history is sacred, its prophecies are sure, and its destiny is glorious — for the Lord shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously (Isaiah 24:23). Psalm 48:1–2 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion…

 

Bibliology: The Doctrine of Scriptures - Part 2 - Inspiration and Preservation

Temple Baptist Church - 10-26-2025

Exodus 13:18; 32:15-19; 34:1

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Bibliology is the branch of systematic theology that studies the facts and doctrines concerning the Bible as God’s revelation to man, including its inspiration, inerrancy, authority, canonization, illumination, preservation, and interpretation.

 

B.  This morning, I want to take a biblical look at two things that guarantee our Bible’s authority: Inspiration and Preservation.  These two doctrines MUST always be tied together because Inspiration without Preservation makes the Word of God, we hold in our hands the “word of man,” an imperfect Word of God.  Imperfection and God do not go together!

 

C.  Now, having said that, I want to look at these two words to explain what they are and why they must be used together.

 

D.  So-called “theologians” in our day separate Inspiration from Preservation.  This causes confusion and doubt among many who read their Bibles shallowly.  It is a ploy of Satan as he always tries to divide and conquer God’s people.  I think that everyone knows that “God is not the Author of confusion, but of peace, as in ALL churches of the saints.”

 

1 Corinthians 14:33  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

 

E.  And please do not say that King James Bible believers are the culprits in confusion.  We still hold to the old Authorized King James Bible of our forefathers.  We follow the Old Paths wherein is the good way.

 

F.  First, we will look at the Doctrine of Biblical Inspiration, which Paul said pertained to “All Scripture.”   Does “All Scripture” apply to Paul’s day, Timothy’s day, and our day?  That question needs to be answered.

 

G.  I believe that we all would agree that God inspired the Original Autographs, but no one owns or has seen one.  I know of no one who owns the two original “Tables of the Law” which were written by the “finger of God.”

 

H.  But, what about the Scriptures that Paul had other than what he wrote?  What about the “holy Scriptures that Timothy was saved by?  What about the King James Bible that we hold in our hands?

 

J. To understand what Biblical Inspiration is, we need to go to the Book of Genesis, often called “The Book of the Beginnings” or “The Seedbed of the Bible.”  Genesis is also the Book of First Mentions.

 

1.  Genesis chapter one.  In the beginning, God spoke or breathed out.  In the first six days of Creation, God spoke everything into existence, and it was “very good.”  What God breathes out is perfectly perfect, no fault at all.  Impeccability is a divine attribute of God alone. 

 

a)  God speaking is expiration or breathing out. We use this term when a person dies; their last act is to breathe out or expire. In fundamentalism, we used this term to explain the Word of God: “God Breathed.” I have seen it printed on the front cover of Bibles.

 

b)  Inspiration means to breathe into something. God breathed out, but also breathed into or infused.  The infusing is both Inspiration and Preservation. 

 

3.  The best illustration is a biblical one.  Genesis 2:7  And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

 

a)  God formed man of the dust of the ground, but he had no life.  God made a body.  God infused the life of God into Adam's body.  The life God infused into Adam was eternal life.  Therefore, we find preservation in the same act.

 

b)  God never had to infuse life into anyone since that day, as that eternal life remains preserved in reproduction.

 

K.  All Original Manuscripts are both Inspired and Preserved.  These original writings did not just “poof” into existence.  God spoke, and men wrote, through divine preservation, His words down.  They were perfect through preservation.  These men, in their humanity, could have made a mistake by altering, omitting, or adding to the Word given, BUT they did not because preservation is God’s work, even though He uses men.

 

Psalms 68:11  The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

 

What did this great company publish?  The Word that God gave!

 

L.  The first written Scriptures were approximately 3,500 years old and are found in the Book of Exodus, chapters 31-34. 

 

1.  Inspiration and Preservation.  God provided the tables of stone and wrote upon them the perfect Word of God with His finger. 

 

Exodus 31:18  And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. 

 

(Testimony – Inspiration and Tables written with the finger of God – Preservation)

 

a)  In this verse, we find the First Mention Principle of Bible Interpretation concerning both Inspiration and Preservation: “The first time a word, doctrine, or concept is mentioned in Scripture, it establishes the foundational meaning and usage of that word or truth throughout the rest of the Bible.”

 

b)  Simply stated: When God introduces a subject in His Word, He does so in a way that reveals its basic, essential meaning. Later mentions of that subject will build upon, expand, or illustrate that first introduction — but never contradict it.

 

2.  The Man of God’s Mission.  Again, a First Mention of the work of the Man of God concerning the Scriptures.  Moses then carried the perfect Word of God down to the people. 

 

Exodus 31:18  And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.

 

Exodus 32:15-16  And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.  (16)  And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.

 

3.  The Destruction of the Original.  In anger, Moses broke the tablets.

 

Exodus 32:19  And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.

 

4.  The Preservation of the Word of God.  Moses hewed the tables of stone but God wrote upon These tables the exact words as the first!

 

Exodus 34:1  And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.

 

5.  What God Inspired, God Preserved!  He did not leave either inspiration or preservation in Moses' hands.

 

M.  The New Testament confirms that inspiration and preservation are both simultaneous acts of God. 

 

1 Peter 1:23-25  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  (24)  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  (25)  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

 

a. The Apostle Peter declares that the same principle holds true today:

 

1 Peter 1:23–25 – Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever... But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.

 

“Incorruptible” – Not subject to corruption, decay, or death; enduring forever.

 

1 Corinthians 9:25 – “Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.”

 

1 Corinthians 15:52 – “...for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

 

b. Just as God breathed life into Adam, so He breathed His Word into writing — and that Word still lives and abides forever.

 

c. Therefore, the Scriptures we have today — preserved in the Authorized King James Bible — are as living and incorruptible as the day God first gave them.

 

Conclusion:  Men may reject the truth of what God said in these last verses, but I thank Him every day for His precious Word that saved my soul many years ago.  Believe what you want, but I still believe the Bible is the inerrant, infallible, inspired, preserved Word of God in the King James Bible for English-speaking people.

Marriage

 Temple Baptist Church - 10-22-2025

1 Corinthians 7:1-9

Introduction: 

 

A.  The word “Now” ties chapter 7 to chapters 5 and 6, as the context continues. 

 

1.  In chapter 5, Paul dealt with the fornication of a man within the church that the church knew about but chose not to deal with.  Sounds like churches today? 

 

2.  In the last part of chapter 6, Paul deals with the issue of fornication, a sin to flee!  Your body or God’s? Your body was bought at a price, along with the salvation of your soul.

 

3.  The body of the believer is the dwelling place and the temple of the Holy Ghost.  Fornication is a sin against the body, which is a sin against the Holy Ghost.  Fornication is a union with another to whom the believer is not married.

 

B.  There had evidently been some correspondence between the Corinthian believers and the Apostle Paul concerning fornication.  Chapter 7 is Paul’s answer to their questions.

 

C.  In verse 1, “not to touch a woman” speaks of intimacy, not greeting. 

 

1.  The context of chapters 5, 6, and 7 is fornication, sexual relationships outside of the bond of marriage.  Our people greet each other every service with love and purity.  There is nothing sinful to be found there! 

 

2.  The men and ladies are brothers and sisters in Christ and love each other with a pure, biblical love.

 

John 13:34  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

 

D.  Verse 2 shows the importance of marriage to avoid fornication.  The Bible is specific in that one man, and one woman make up the bond of marriage.  Marriage is a circle that includes three persons: the husband, the wife, and the Lord.  Marriage is God’s safeguard against sexual sin.

 

E.  Verse 3 explains the sexual obligation of both husband and wife.  God’s Word is very plain at this point.  The wording is precise here, so do not be offended.  God ordained marriage and the union of husband and wife!

 

Hebrews 13:4  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

 

Let’s define some of the wording found in verses 3-4 in our text for clarity.

 

1.  Render – to give up, requite, or yield.

 

2.  Due - figuratively to be under obligation (ought, must, should)

 

3.  Benevolence – kindness, compassion, well-minded.  To give or yield something to one who has none.

 

4.  Likewise – this is a two-way street as both husband and wife are obligated to each other.

 

5.  “Due benevolence” means affection and marital duty. Each spouse owes the other love and care.

 

F.  Verse 4 shows the true ownership of the body in marriage.

 

1.  The wife has no power of decision in the marriage union.  Her body belongs to her husband.

 

2.  The husband has no power of decision in the marriage union.  His body belongs to his wife.

 

3.  The bodies of both husband and wife belong to God and the Holy Ghost, so are to be treated with the utmost respect and purity.

 

4.  In marriage, the husband and wife belong to one another under God.  There is no place for selfishness or withholding affection. Marriage requires mutual surrender out of love and respect.

 

G.  Verse 5 shows us mutual celibacy at appropriate times.  Couples should not deprive each other, except by mutual agreement, for spiritual purposes.  A godly marriage includes both intimacy and spirituality. Neglecting either opens the door to temptation.

 

1.  Defraud ye not – departure or to keep back that which belongs to another.

 

2.  Except with consent during times of fasting or prayer.

 

3.  Come together again, afterward, to return to the obligation of the marital bed.

 

4.  Danger – temptation by Satan to commit fornication.

 

H.  Verse 6.  Your private life is very personal, and no one else needs to be involved. It is between the husband, wife, and the Lord! Paul offers practical wisdom guided by the Spirit, not a direct command.

 

J.  Verse 7.  Marriage is not a commandment but rather a blessing of choice. Paul values singleness for undivided service to Christ but recognizes marriage as a divine gift too.  Both marriage and celibacy are gifts — neither superior, both honorable when used for God’s glory.

 

1.  There is nothing wrong with not being married.  It frees one to follow Christ fully and without restriction.  There are three types of eunuchs in Matthew chapter 19.  Eunuch - In the New Testament, eunuch is derived from a Greek word that means someone castrated and impotent who no longer has the desire.  But the Lord put them into three different categories.

 

Matthew 19:12  For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother’s womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

 

          a)  Eunuchs – Born – Some people have no desire to marry.

 

b)  Eunuchs – Of Men – Some people were rendered incapable by violent acts that left them with no physical desire.

 

c)  Eunuchs – For God – Some have the gift of celibacy and only desire to use their lives for the Lord.  Paul was such.

 

2.  There is nothing wrong with being married.  It is a natural desire fulfilled only within the bonds of matrimony.  It brings about companionship and posterity.  Psalms 127:3  Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

 

K.  Verses 8-9.  For those without self-control, marriage is God’s provision. “Burn” refers to the temporal judgment of fornication.  Marriage is God’s design for purity and companionship; it is better to marry than to sin.

 

L.  Marriage Is God’s Ordained Method Of Companionship.

 

1.  There Is To Be Fidelity In Marriage – “own wife – own husband”

 

a)  Fidelity Brings Rejoicing - Proverbs 5:15-18  Dink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.  Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.  Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee.  Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

 

b)  Infidelity Brings Reproach - Proverbs 6:29-35  So he that goeth in to his neighbour’s wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.  Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;  But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.  But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.  A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.  For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.  He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

 

2.  There Is To Be Fulfillment In Marriage.

 

Hebrews 13:4  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

 

Proverbs 5:19-20  Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.  And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

 

Song of Solomon 1:2  Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine.

 

3.  There Is To Be Fellowship In Marriage.

 

a)  Strength In Marriage - Song of Solomon 8:6-7  Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.  Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

 

b)  Satisfaction In Marriage - Ecclesiastes 9:9  Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

 

c)  Sharing In Marriage - 1 Peter 3:7  Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

 

1)  Spiritually – Church, devotion to God, service.

 

2)  Conversationally – learn to talk and share your wants and desires.

 

3)  Emotionally – learn to cross the rivers of life together.

 

4)  Recreationally – learn to have common interests and do things together.

 

5)  Intimately – this has been covered, but it is of the utmost importance.

 

Conclusion:  Flee fornication.  A sin that involves the union of the holy with the unholy, thus defiling spiritually and psychologically.