1 Corinthians #13 – Study Questions
The Honor Principle
1 Corinthians (CGS#13) – 7:1-16
INTRODUCTION: One of the core beliefs of CCC and the EFCA is that the Bible is the ultimate authority upon which every human endeavor is to be judged. This means that the Bible is to be our central guide and voice for our lives and was given to us by God for our flourishing. Some passages in the Bible are easier than others to understand and apply to our lives. Others are more difficult. When we interpret the Bible, we have to remember that the Bible was written for us, but it wasn’t written to us. Here is what that statement means. “For us” – The Bible is God’s Word for all people at all times and is the ultimate authority for our lives. “Not to us” – Each book in the Bible has an original audience, and there is no passage in which we are the original audience. So that means we need to understand how the original audience understood the text before we can apply it to our lives. This week’s passage is one of those tough passages in which we absolutely need to understand the context first, and then we can apply it to our lives. When we do this, we will find something really beautiful.
Verse four in this section is a verse that can be misquoted and misapplied. Tragically, it has been applied in ways that excuse or even enable abusive and toxic behavior. But that is absolutely not what Paul is doing in this verse or even in this section. In the section, at large, Paul is discussing marriage and the freedom to marry or not to marry, and what to do if you are married to a non-believing person. To these things, Paul says, get married if you want, stay single if you want, and remain in your marriage unless there is a legitimate reason for divorce. And there are legitimate Biblical reasons for divorce. But what do we do with verse four?
What Paul is doing in this verse would have been very apparent to the original audience. He was reversing a hierarchical standard that left women and children vulnerable in the Corinthian context. The idea that the husband’s body also belonged to the wife would have been radically controversial in their context. The husband was the head of the house and society. And in this position, everyone under the head was meant to serve the needs, desires, and demands of the head. But here is Paul saying that the husband and the wife are mutual, equal, and to be in a posture of extending dignity to each other. That was controversial for them, but it seems so obvious to us. Men and women being equal and husbands and wives treating each other with mutual respect are assumptions that we make as a modern society. Yet, it is clear that it wasn’t that way in Corinth or in the Ancient world. Then came along Christianity and passages like this that advanced these “plain ideas” that we hold dear. To be very honest, the ethical foundations of our society about men, women, children, and the sanctity of human life have all come to us from Christianity. Paul, in verse four, offers this beautiful reversal that we take for granted today, but was revolutionary for them. So, how do we apply this idea?
We honor one another. This isn’t the only passage where Paul applies this honoring logic. He also does it in Ephesians chapter five. In Paul’s mind, it is clear that we have been honored by Christ, and so now we are to honor each other with mutual dignity, equality, respect, and value. Yes, this passage is directly about marriage, so we are to honor our spouses and serve them as mutual co-heirs. But we can apply the honor principle to every relationship as well. We honor each other by extending humility, gentleness, patience, and love. The very things we received from Christ. And because we’ve received honor from Christ, honoring one another is foundational for a disciple. It is to become how we naturally operate out of our new identity.
GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time, take time to answer this question together: Who is someone in your life (past or present) that honored you intentionally? How did that make you feel, or why was it significant in your life?
IN THE WORD – Let’s dig back into the passage. It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.
First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)
Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.
Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?
Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday-Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?
Note: Another way to approach your time together is to talk through the following questions about the article of faith we are studying that week.
- What did you hear God’s Spirit say to you through the passage this week? How does it encourage you? How does it sharpen you?
- How have you seen God at work in your life this week? Have you enjoyed him? Have you heard his voice and the leading of his Spirit? Big ways or small ways.
- This passage is specifically about marriage. What are some marriage principles that Paul talks about? How does Paul see the nature of the marriage commitment?
- Paul goes between giving advice (“I, not the Lord) and commands (“not I, but the Lord”) in this passage. What does this teach you about liberty and freedom in our decision-making about marriage or other important life matters?
- When it comes to honoring one another, take time to talk through the four attributes of how we honor one another. Which ones come easily? Which is more difficult? What are steps to grow in each area?
- Humble – Considering others first.
- Patient – Seeing the big picture in someone’s life.
- Gentle – Exercising self-control when I’m upset.
- Loving – Working for someone’s good. e., Helping them follow Jesus.