Big Picture: be content to stay where God has called you, whatever your marital or social status.  “You were bought with a price” (7:23). We belong to Christ. This is our primary identity—not our marital or social status. It is not necessarily sinful to transition from one status to another—single to married, married to divorced, bondservant to free. But God must call us to make such a change; idolatry must not motivate it. “This world, in its present form, is passing away” (31b), so do not prioritize this world over the next.

Main Principle: each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them (17; 20; 24).  Being a Christian means bringing what one is into the service of God.

• Illustration 1: circumcision (18–20)
• Illustration 2: slavery (21–24)

Application:

• Status of any kind is ultimately irrelevant with God, and so must it be with his children.
• When you ask yourself the question, "What is God's will for my life?” your answer must be a resounding: "His will is that I maintain close fellowship with him and devote myself to obeying his commandments."
• Your life – your “situation” – is God’s assignment to you, Christian. Bring him glory!

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1 Cor. 7

1. 1–7: to the married: stay married with full conjugal rights
2. 8–9: to the “unmarried” and widows: it is good to remain unmarried
3. 10–11: to the married (both partners believers): remain married
4. 12–16: to those with an unbelieving spouse: remain married
5. 17–24: On matters related to slavery and circumcision: remain in the place you were at the time of your call.
6. 25–38: to “virgins”: it is good to remain unmarried
7. 39–40: to married women (and widows): the married are bound to the marriage; when widowed it is good to remain that way.