Marriage Matters, Part 2

Rev. Andrew Jagow, pastor at Bethany Lutheran Church in Alexandria, VA, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study 1 Corinthians 7:25-40. Without binding consciences, St. Paul reminds the Corinthians of the gifts that God has both for the married and the celibate. He instructs the congregation in light of the fact that the Lord is coming soon. For that reason, they ought to live in the midst of the things of this world, which will pass away, with their eyes focused on the life of the world to come, which will not pass away. Right now, those who are married are concerned with pleasing their spouse, and rightly so. Right now, those who are celibate can concern themselves entirely with pleasing the Lord, and rightly so. These instructions are not meant to restrain Christians, but to promote good order within the Church and to help Christians to glorify God in all they do. “Nothing But Christ Crucified” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the epistle of 1 Corinthians. In response to correspondence from the Christians in Corinth and reports about matters arising in the congregation, St. Paul writes to address various matters of Christian faith and life. Throughout it all, he directs our attention to the power and wisdom of God for our salvation: Christ crucified.