Divine Counsel

The first letter to the Corinthians also allows us to analyze the form in which we receive the divine counsel. Chapter seven of 1 Corinthians is an excellent example. The apostle analyzes various aspects of family relationships and answers some written questions he had received (v. 1). What stands out in this chapter with reference to the topic we are analyzing is that the Lord’s servant has two means or ways of getting God’s counsel to the churches. The first is when the apostle has a definite revelation or command from the Lord. The second is when the Spirit inspires him to give his own counsel. Both forms intermingle as the various topics unfold. At the beginning of the chapter, speaking of the marital relationships between spouses, Paul asserts that he is giving counsel that is not the result of a direct revelation: “I say this as a concession, not as a command” (v. 6).VOTS 76.1

Next, the apostle talks about divorce and separation. In this case, he clarifies that it is not he, but the Lord, who gives the command of staying together (v. 10). Nevertheless, a few lines further on, the servant of the Lord again expresses an apparently personal counsel in referring to husbands who have nonbelieving wives (v. 12). This combination of apparently personal and special revelation counsel continues throughout the chapter. Do both orientations have the same importance? Can both forms be defined as inspired counsel?VOTS 76.2

The apostle himself was aware of the possibility that the believers might make a difference between that which was the result of a revelation from God and what seemed to be personal counsel. Paul clearly indicates with no hesitation that both forms are the result of the work of the Spirit. One is the result of a revelation or vision. The other form of divine revelation is when the Spirit impresses and inspires His servant to give counsel that comes from a mind inspired by the Spirit of God. At least twice the apostle specifies that, although the counsel did not come through a vision or divine command, it nevertheless comes from someone used by the Spirit to communicate His will to the church. Referring to young unmarried members, Paul says: “I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy” (v. 25). Speaking to widows, the servant of God again gives his view with the conviction that “I too have the Spirit of God” (v. 40).VOTS 76.3

The counsels coming from the apostle himself are just as much “divine counsel” as those received through a vision or a prophetic dream. The only difference is that the Spirit is using different modes of revelation and inspiration. In this case, the prophet is inspired to act as a counselor to the people of God, and his mind is impressed and touched by the Spirit so that he can give the appropriate and opportune counsel.VOTS 77.1