Spirit and Truth Discernment: Paul's Commands or the Lord's Explained

The following teaching is to try to help us all understand a often quoted and troubling section of scripture for many from the Apostle Paul. In the text; Paul is talking about him speaking vs the Lords direct commands and it stumbles some as to its meaning.

We will cover are those verses below and I think it is important to NOT read into it more then we should as that is the key to understanding this and putting light on it.

Note: knowing in Acts 9 Jesus commissions Paul to be His messenger and trains Him up to be a mouth piece for the Himself helps us understand. It is clear, when Paul speaks a command it is of the Lord. But the Apostle makes it clear what is his suggestions, his judgement vs what is already stated in the law by God. Also; in 1 Cor 14:37 Paul backs this all up by saying he was given commandments from God so we can trust this Apostle has the authority to do so for out own good!

Lets move on.....

1 Cor 7

Verse 6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

***** The context here is Paul saying it is better to not marry like him but; it is NOT a command of God or Paul to not marry. It is a suggestion from Paul nothing more and he was permitted to speak on it, not command on it either way.

Note: a principle here is called descriptive vs prescriptive

Meaning something can be described but it is NOT prescribed as a command for us to do and this falls into that category clearly.

verse 10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

********Here, Paul says he commands it and says it is already a command of God as the Word already teaches a believing wife is to NOT leave her husband. Paul is backing up what Christ already taught on this.

Verse 12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

******* Here Paul goes back to his judgement on this topic as there is no direct command in the Word from God. Paul gives us light here to follow but Paul is saying directly to NOT put her away. No suggestion is made but it is commanded.

verse 25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.

****** Again, Paul is giving us his judgement not one that was already given by God in the law. This is a option of marriage or not to marry. God had NOT commanded on it and here Paul is giving us light, options and his recommendation . In this case it was best to NOT marry but you are free to if you choose it.

2 Cor 8

verse 8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

******* Here Paul again echoes that there is NO command given here and he is speaking as a Apostle. He is instructing them on how to live as saints and deal with each other. In verse 10 he says he gives us his advice. The Greek word is gnome and it means opinion or counsel.

It seems clear to me the key to understanding how Paul communicates in these verses is to understand:

1) what was already a command

2) what is given via Paul as commands

3) what the Apostle has the liberty (via the Holy Spirit) to NOT make a command but a suggestion, opinion or option.

Once we see those all in play, the texts are made more clear to us.

Let me know if you have any questions regarding this?

God be praised

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Here is the biblical gospel:

http://www.dontperish.com/the-gospel.html

Here is a 10 point biblical test:

http://www.dontperish.com/10-point-biblical-test.html