Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Apr 8, 2024 - Each Has His Own Gift from God”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsEach Has His Own Gift from God
Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:6-11
Paul is responding to the Corinthians’ questions by giving marriage advice. He suggests that “because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband”(1 Cor 7:2), yet stresses here that this statement is “a concession, not a command”(1 Cor 7:6). People don’t have to get married to please God or live fulfilled lives. Paul says that “I wish that all were as I myself am”(1 Cor 7:7), meaning single (v. 8), yet “each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another”(1 Cor 7:7). Remaining single and happy is a “gift from God” that not all possess; Paul sees it as a blessing, especially in light of the “present distress”(see v. 26-35). This is why he advises the “unmarried and the widows” to stay single unless they are unable to control themselves sexually (v. 8-9).
Married people, meanwhile, do not have the freedom to choose whether to stay married or be single again. “To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife”(1 Cor 7:10-11). God wants married people to stay married. Paul reminds us that it is the Lord (Jesus) himself who gives this instruction. If divorce does happen (contrary to God’s will), Paul lists the only options as “(remaining) unmarried or else (being) reconciled to her husband.” Notably absent is remarriage to another. All of this is building toward Paul’s major point in this chapter: remain where you were when you were called (v. 17, 24).
Each one of us has his or her own gift from God. Rather than viewing singleness as a burden, Paul sees it as a blessing. Our gifts may involve our talents, relationships, financial states, or personal charisma, but all of them are from God. Paul wants us to see ourselves as gifted, to give thanks to God, and to use those gifts to honor him.
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One Thing to Think About: How is this view of singleness different from modern thinking?
One Thing to Pray For: Wisdom to understand how to use my gifts to please God
