1 Corinthians conclusion
Interpretation of ancient texts is quite an undertaking, and 1 Corinthians is no exception. We are reading someone else’s mail from two thousand years ago, and we only have pieces of the correspondence between Paul and the Corinthian church. Beyond these challenges, we recognize that it was a completely different culture with different sociological, economic, and religious values and practices. Even the vocabulary such as the word “circumcision” was nuanced and therefore easily misunderstood, misinterpreted, and misapplied. Therefore, we have attempted to approach the text with caution and humility.
We argue that Paul, in 1 Corinthians 7, is not devaluing circumcision as a command of God, but rather admonishes his readers to keep God’s commands (7:19). So what does Paul mean when he says that “neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision” (19)? Paul uses “circumcision” and “uncircumcision” as makers of social identity, the first being ethnically Jewish, and the latter being born a Gentile. Neither of these matter when it comes to relationship with God. In fact, no social identity has any bearing on being a covenant member of the people of God – ethnic Jew or Gentile, married or single, slave or free – all are invited and welcome in the family of God. Paul stresses that people need not and should not change their social status to be saved.
In chapters eight through ten, Paul discusses the freedoms and rights we have in Christ. For example we have the right to eat meat sold in the marketplace, to take a believing spouse, and to receive pay for ministry. However, we must be willing to give up these rights in order to effectively preach the gospel to unbelievers or encourage our weaker brothers and sisters in the Lord. This was not only Paul’s example, but moreover, Christ’s example. As Paul states in Philippians 2:
We argue that Paul, in 1 Corinthians 7, is not devaluing circumcision as a command of God, but rather admonishes his readers to keep God’s commands (7:19). So what does Paul mean when he says that “neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision” (19)? Paul uses “circumcision” and “uncircumcision” as makers of social identity, the first being ethnically Jewish, and the latter being born a Gentile. Neither of these matter when it comes to relationship with God. In fact, no social identity has any bearing on being a covenant member of the people of God – ethnic Jew or Gentile, married or single, slave or free – all are invited and welcome in the family of God. Paul stresses that people need not and should not change their social status to be saved.
In chapters eight through ten, Paul discusses the freedoms and rights we have in Christ. For example we have the right to eat meat sold in the marketplace, to take a believing spouse, and to receive pay for ministry. However, we must be willing to give up these rights in order to effectively preach the gospel to unbelievers or encourage our weaker brothers and sisters in the Lord. This was not only Paul’s example, but moreover, Christ’s example. As Paul states in Philippians 2:
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:3–8).
Jesus was God himself, yet he willingly gave up his rights and became a servant, ultimately laying down his life. If he did that for us, we should be willing to give up much lesser rights such as what food we eat or how much pay we receive.
In context, therefore, this passage is not about whether we can disobey God’s law and if we can eat meat sacrificed to idols – we already know from this passage and many others, both Old and New Testament, that we must avoid such things. Further, it is not about obeying the Torah only when among Jews as a gospel strategy – Paul sought to always uphold the law. Rather, it is about taking on an attitude of service and humility – always obeying God, and being ever willing to quickly give up what we think is rightfully ours in order to spread the gospel. May our attitude be that of Christ Jesus.
In context, therefore, this passage is not about whether we can disobey God’s law and if we can eat meat sacrificed to idols – we already know from this passage and many others, both Old and New Testament, that we must avoid such things. Further, it is not about obeying the Torah only when among Jews as a gospel strategy – Paul sought to always uphold the law. Rather, it is about taking on an attitude of service and humility – always obeying God, and being ever willing to quickly give up what we think is rightfully ours in order to spread the gospel. May our attitude be that of Christ Jesus.
Bibliography
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1 Corinthians Chapter 10