For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, (19) by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, (20) who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is eight souls, were saved through water. (21) There is also an anti type which now saves us – baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (22) who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

Our verses today are taken from the first letter of the apostle Peter. He writes that Christ is our main example of unjust suffering – He entered time and space, true God and true man, to give his life as a ransom for many. This epistle is written for all believers who are called to suffer wrongfully and take it patiently. We are to follow the example of Jesus who knew no sin but suffered – more than that, He did not sin and all the suffering and shame of the cross was on account of OUR sin. Peter’s testimony was to strengthen his brethren in faith; to encourage and comfort those who were suffering persecution and passing through many trials. Our justification is not having obeyed an ordinance but by what Christ has done and Peter is teaching the entire conformity of the believer to the Lord. We are looking at the subject of holiness.

The application of holiness means we are set apart – separated unto God in Christ by faith. Holiness is an attitude of the heart which clashes with modern culture in which we are supposed to be independent but here Peter means that we belong to the Lord; not just submitting the mind without submitting the life, the heart and the will. Holiness here is more than keeping rules. We have not been redeemed by perishable things but with the precious blood of Christ. A life without God is a thoughtless life. Christians live this life in faith in Christ. A holy life means Jesus is now our authority – a life of freedom under His authority.

Baptism is a public confession of faith and here Peter is concerned what baptism signifies – baptism testifies to our faith in Christ’s substitutionary death. Baptism cannot save anyone but it is a step of obedience to Christ publicly to identify ourselves with Him in His death and resurrection. We bear witness to God’s eternal plan of salvation through holy living in this world.

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (32) Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, (33) just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved. (11:1) Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

The first letter to the Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul. Our verses are connected with the three chapters that go before – Paul is preaching the gospel and – in matters of indifference – he adapts himself to all men that they might find salvation. He is teaching that there is no part of our lives and actions so minute that it might not be directed to the glory of God. The second point of our verses is a regard for our neighbor that we may, if possible, gain them for Christ. Paul accommodated himself to men only in things indifferent and things lawful in themselves always with the end that is observed – that they may be saved. So, our conduct should have the glory of God and the good of man for its object. Paul laid aside all self will and self importance and recommends the example of Christ. He prescribes nothing to others he had not first practiced himself – he directs himself and others to Christ as the only pattern of right acting. Paul’s doctrine here is not a mistaken imitation to copy what men see done by people of great influence. Christians are to follow men provided they take Christ as their model.

The plan of salvation rests on the same reasons and principles whether in the days of the Exodus or in our own lives. To all men/women living in a world of the senses it is difficult to live by faith in the unseen. In this life we are never beyond the reach of temptation and our suppositions regarding ourselves are often untrue. We are at ease and complacent when we ought not to be. We think we are secure when we are at the point of failing

The freedom Paul speaks of does have limitations. If my doing something – again in indifferent things – is going to offend fellow Christian’s I must not do it. It is conditional religious freedom. We are not to be a stumbling block to others. One of the ways we preach the gospel is by what we say and do. All our life is a life that is lived for God wherever we are, whatever we are doing at whatever the time: all done for the glory of God

For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! (17) For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship. (18) What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. (19) For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; (22) to the weak I become as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (23) Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be a caretaker of it with you.

The first letter to the Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul. In our verses today, we are told he did not preach from personal pride but under divine compulsion – Paul was God’s chosen instrument. Paul had no part in God’s call/sovereign choice. His reward was the privilege of preaching the gospel within the limits of God’s Word and his Christian conscience – he would become culturally and socially all things to all men when witnessing. He stooped to make the gospel clear at the lower level of comprehension within the bounds of God’s word. he would condescend in ways that could lead to salvation. He realized what it’s like to be fully delivered from the Mosaic law. In matters of indifference Paul was the most adaptable of men.

Paul had the right to be supported by the church but renounced this right. (Almost all the apostles were volunteers.) He is the supreme example of a person who was willing to sacrifice some privileges for others as our Lord’s own minister. It was important to Paul that he received no payment as a minister so there was no grounds of boasting for him. His preaching was a matter of obligation but doing it without remuneration was optional. His self denial and accommodation of himself to the weaknesses and prejudices of others was not confined to the point of which he had been speaking. Pauls motive was that he ‘might win the more’ meaning to win over more to the gospel. The weak were those who had no power to comprehend and appreciate the gospel. He was conciliatory to all classes and as to all matters of indifference that he might at all events save some.

Paul lived for the gospel and that meant to be a partaker of the gospel – partaker of its benefits which is the subject of the redemption which it announces. No one was more yielding in matters of indifference and no one was more unyielding in matters of principle than the apostle Paul.

But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for things of the Lord – how he may please the Lord. (33) But he who is married cares about the things of the world – how he may please his wife. (34) There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world – how she may please her husband. (35) And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.

The first letter to the Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul. Christians in Corinth had written to Paul seeking advice in reference to the state of things in their church. One of the subjects they sought direction on was marriage. Paul’s response was not to be considered more than advice – what, under the circumstances was expedient; everyone must act according to the grace given to him/her. The object of the apostle was to urge single life, which in times of trials and persecution was to their advantage, not to restrain their liberty. Paul’s basic marriage principle is summarized in two words: well and better. The person who marries does well but one who doesn’t marry does better – it allows him/her opportunities married people do not have. Marriage is a temporary covenant but our relation to the Lord is an eternal relationship.

Singles have more freedom and flexibility and less distraction in difficult times – in times of religious persecution which often ended in imprisonment or death. Paul does not say the unmarried man/woman is a holier person but is saying serving the Lord without distraction “is good for the present distress”. He chose to remain unmarried for the gospel’s sake. Life is fleeting in this world and everything will disappear but in Christ the faithful will have that which satisfies the soul when everything else has gone. If God is not at the center of your life and your mate is, marriage will create more problems than it solves. With God at the center marriage brings together two self centered people expecting the other person to meet his/her needs. That doesn’t work. Don’t bring your hopes for fulfillment in a family. Hope is in the Lord.

A wonderful example of well and better is found in the story of Mary and Martha: Mary sat at the Lords feet and listened and Martha was distracted with serving. Jesus said Mary chose the better part. Paul wanted his readers to appreciate the realities of married and single states – celibacy is preferred merely on the basis of expediency not on the grounds of its being a higher state of virtue. Paul counseled, not commanded, the faithful to live life in view of present distress and shortened times as we consider our options.