Let us think about this directive. The directive to which he refers is that Christians should walk in the gift that God has given them. He does relate this directive to the point of salvation. Why does he do such a thing? He does so because the questions coming to him were coming from converts, mostly from Judaism, who did not know what to do practically upon their conversion to Christ in light of Old Covenant law among other things. Should a new Christian divorce a spouse who was as yet unconverted? Should a new Christian who had become a slave to Christ run away from his earthly master? Should a new convert who was not planning on getting married then get married? These were the types of questions Paul was dealing with. So, Paul implies that neither singleness nor marriage is the real issue. Remain where you are. Keep walking in the gift God has given you. Christ is the real issue for the Christian. The Christian may worship Christ whether single or married. He need not marry nor divorce to remain loyal to Christ.

Let us note here that Paul says he gives this directive to all the churches. That would mean that we are not dealing with a specific context relegated to the Corinthian church or the first century. Here we have an apostolic directive that relates to all churches of all times. What Paul has to say about the present distress concerning the Corinthian church does not commence until v. 26. Nor do his comments there negate what he has said here or relegate what he has said here to the Corinthian church only. Paul gives this directive to all the churches.

Let's explore this directive a bit further. Many factions had developed in the Corinthian church including those who said that one had to be married in order to be spiritual; those who said that one had to be single in order to be spiritual; those who said one had to be circumcised; those who said one had to be uncircumcised; and others. Paul's primary point is that social standing means nothing. The external dynamics and pressures that men place upon themselves and others means nothing. Only Christ has importance.

Of course, Paul does not mean that one may continue in sin. If an individual is a murderer, for example, he must cease from that activity, particularly as a Christian. Paul is laboring to say that in a spiritual sense, neither marriage nor singleness is anything. Both are acceptable. Neither wealth nor poverty is anything. Both are acceptable. We may be content with who we are when we are called in Christ. The Lord is the One who has ordained our positions and our giftedness.

A point should be made here in regard to the word "called." This word refers to the effectual call of God in salvation. He is the One who has called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. Paul here refers to the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit that is wrought by grace. The sinner has nothing to do with the effectual call. It is wrought by God. In that call, the Lord gives the gifts of repentance and faith to the sinner. With the new nature the individual now has by virtue of the work of the Spirit, and the gifts he has been given, he now has the desire and ability to repent and believe. He does so and is thereby justified.      

Now, God has not only called us to salvation, but to a particular station in life. We should walk in accord with that station. That is not to say that one may not improve his situation as opportunity arises (v. 21), but, it is to say that a change of station does not have spiritual value in itself and persons should not feel pressured by men to make such changes. If the Lord calls one to make such changes, that is well. If men call persons to make such changes, we are encouraged to remain in the state in which we find ourselves.

The spiritual dynamic here, that of not pressuring others or succumbing to the pressure of others, is not a suggestion. It is a command that Paul has laid down in all of the churches.

Click here to read Part I.

Click here to read more of Dr. Dean's blogs in Crosswalk.com Weblogs.

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