I Corinthians 7
Church Talk – A Study of I and II Corinthians
Pastor Brandon Ball
05/17/2023
Marriage and Singleness
Principles for Marriage
7 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote… —1 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV)This portion of the letter deals with questions the Corinthian church wrote Paul about; probably in a previous letter (see 5:9).
Paul is about to clarify these questions as well as add some additional thoughts and recommendations.
In a society so full of temptations, he advises marriage, not as the lesser of two evils, but as a necessary safeguard against evil.
- Some Corinthians thought marriage was altogether wrong (this is not Paul’s view).
- For Paul, as we will see (7:32) the unmarried are freer to serve God.
- Therefore, for Paul, to remain single is the preference, not a command.
1. A Call to Marital Responsibility
Principles for Marriage
1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. —1 Corinthians 7:1–5 (ESV)Some in Corinth espoused celibacy as an ideal, even within marriage.
“It is not good for a man to touch a woman” is a Corinthian catchphrase.
So, Paul responds, “yes, but not within marriage”.
Thus, in 7:2, Paul does not advise to “get married,” but rather he instructs the already married to maintain
within marriage and then elaborates in 7:3-5. Paul does not promote sexual relations only for procreation.
Paul does command those who are married to
sexual relations without explicitly commanding to “get married”. Paul would agree that certain kinds of sexual activity should be avoided, and this is beyond the scope of this lesson.
The overall problem however is that for sake of “spirituality” individuals would be avoiding the necessary sexual activity that is encouraged within marriage, but overtime would become complicit in other sexual activity, breaking marital vows.
5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. —1 Corinthians 7:5 (ESV)
The problem with couples who don’t have a healthy sexual relationship is that it leaves an open door for Satan to tempt one or both individuals in the marriage relationship.
2. A Call to Singleness
6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. 8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. —1 Corinthians 7:6–11 (ESV)
This call to singleness seems to capture widows and widowers and those never married.
- This is NOT a command, but a concession.
- A concession to what?
- Lack of self-control sexually
- The circumstances of the world v. devotion to God
3. Marriage, Divorce, and Separation
10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. —Corinthians 7:10–11 (ESV)
Paul is not developing a comprehensive theology on divorce, but is responding to a particular situation. With that being said, there are concrete facts to be gleaned.
Paul, writing to the married, gave a “charge” from the Lord, not a recommendation.
Separation should not take place, but if it does, the wife must remain
.
Why?
- Remaining unmarried always presents the possibility of
. Paul’s insistence on reconciliation is a call to obey the demands of the gospel!
Also of note is the use of different terms regarding the actions of the wife and the husband. The wife must not “separate” from her husband, but the husband must not “divorce” his wife.
- The change is most likely due to social custom.
For instance, the home is his (the husband’s): she (the wife) can leave it, but he actually sends her away from it.
Most likely, in Paul’s use, the terms are generally interchangeable. In 7:15, the verb “separate” is used generically, referring either to the unbelieving wife or to the unbelieving husband.
We err to read modern legal definitions of “separation” and “divorce” into the text.
4. Believers Married to Non-Believers
12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? —1 Corinthians 7:12–16 (ESV)
Paul’s words to NOT lack authority and he is NOT merely offering his opinion, but rather is distinguishing his own words from the words of Jesus. Jesus had not spoken on this particular issue as he had spoken on the matter of divorce (7:10-11).
How is the unbelieving spouse “made holy”?
ἁγιάζω (hagiazō) (holy) to sanctify; make holy.
- This is the same term Paul uses as it relates to salvation.
Paul’s meaning here is different since the pagan partner is designated an “unbeliever” and 7:16 clearly indicates the need of his or her “salvation.”
Instead, it is the unbelieving spouse’s
salvation that Paul is likely referring to. Paul’s logic goes in the exact opposite direction of his previous argument regarding defilement in the case of the incestuous man (5:6) and the defilement that results in union with a prostitute (6:15-17).
- No such contamination exists in the marriage of the believer to the unbeliever.
- The union is lawful and holy according to God’s established pattern for marriage.
- Otherwise, Paul contends, “your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy”.
In other words, Paul draws an inference from the view that marriage to an unbeliever somehow defiles the believer and the marriage altogether. If this were the case, the children would be “unclean”. But as it stands, they are not unclean. Thus, the principle of “holiness” widens to the children in the case of a mixed marriage, which is established on the scriptural principle that God’s blessings are not confided to the immediate recipients but extend to others.
The other way the non-believing spouse may be sanctified/made holy might refer to the
of the believer on the unbeliever. The lifestyle of the Christian partner cannot but affect the ethos and to some extent the values and the lifestyle of the home, whether this be the husband or the wife.
5. Guiding Principal to “Remain”
Live as You Are Called
17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. —1 Corinthians 7:17–24 (ESV)The main point of 7:17-24 is that conversion, while altering moral and spiritual life, does not necessarily alter status in life!
6. Concerning the Virgins (Betrothed)
The Unmarried and the Widowed
25 Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26 I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. 29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.
36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. 37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. 38 So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.
39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God. —1 Corinthians 7:25–40 (ESV)
Paul’s judgement is quite clear:
- The pull of the world is strong and presents many struggles for married couples.
- The priority over all are the “things of God”.
- Marriage and family will have to be considered whilst maintain “the priority” (God).
If you’re single and cannot control your passions, then go ahead and marry.
27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. —1 Corinthians 7:27-28
“Worldly” (σάρξ) (carnal).
Notes: