1Cor7-MD

1 Corinthians 7 – Questions  –  Answers
From one studying the Bible answers are acquired for our lives today.  This chapter in 1 Corinthians addresses of marriage and singleness.  In today’s ‘sex filled world’ the Bible speaks out with instruction for holy living.

In this study I will utilization the information provided by the “Life Application Bible Commentary” dealing with 1 Corinthians 7 as my source in the following discussion.  All quotes in this article are taken from the “Life Application Bible Commentary”.  Bible verses quoted show the source each time.

1 Corinthians 7:1-16 (NASB77)
¹  Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.
²  But because of immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
³  Let the husband fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband.
⁴  The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
⁵   Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
⁶  But this I say by way of concession, not of command.
⁷   Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.
⁸  But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.
⁹  But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn.
¹⁰  But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband
¹¹  (but if she does leave, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not send his wife away.
¹²  But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away.
¹³  And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, let her not send her husband away.
¹⁴  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.
¹⁵  Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.
¹⁶  For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

 

Paul discusses life questions to the congregation in Corinth.  These involved questions on: marriage, singleness, eating meat offered to idols, propriety in worship, orderliness I the Lord’s Supper, spiritual gifts, and the resurrection.   Here in chapter 7 he deals with ‘marriage’ and thus the topic of our discussion here.

 

V1 – ¹  Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.
In this city they were surrounded by sexual temptation as the city had a reputation through-out the pagan world of being a city with sexual immorality and religious prostitution.  Thus, a sexually saturated society that one might look around us in the U.S. and consider like conditions dealing with the culture of today be sexually charged.

This question was prompted as some was saying that sex was a sin and supporting divorce from their spouse in order to stay pure.  Paul addresses this by stating that to live a celibate life was all right if the person chose that style.  That that lifestyle might well be in accordance with God’s will for that person.   However, Paul goes on to qualify that statement.

 

To give some insight note a couple quotes from the LABC (Life Application Bible Commentary):

MUTUAL MONOGAMY

In the verses that follow, Paul makes his basic position very clear: Marriage involves two people, a man and a woman, working out their life for a lifetime. Even a casual reader notes the balance. What is really good for the man is really good for the woman. What is really good for the wife is really good for the husband. Marriage itself is good. In spite of sinfulness and societal attitudes that have devalued and twisted marriage, God’s original design remains the ideal. A mutual commitment to God’s ways in marriage can make even the most difficult union survive. Base your convictions on what God says, not on society’s distortions.

 

MARRIAGE SEMINAR

Much of what Paul wrote about marriage was based on its lifelong nature. First Corinthians serves as a “mini” marriage seminar for Christians. The Corinthian church was in turmoil because of the immorality of the culture around them. Some Greeks, in rejecting immorality, rejected sex and marriage altogether. The Corinthian Christians wondered if this was what they should do also, so they asked Paul several questions: “Because sex is perverted, shouldn’t we also abstain in marriage?” “If my spouse is unsaved, should I seek a divorce?” “Should unmarried people and widows remain unmarried?” Paul answered many of these questions by saying, “For now, stay put. Be content in the situation where God has placed you. If you’re married, don’t seek to be single. If you’re single, don’t seek to be married.”
The main teaching points in Paul’s advice about marriage include the following:

 

Following is a listing of the advice given by Paul and the principles are found in 1 Cor. 7:

• Choosing to remain unmarried can be good if the unmarried person uses the extra time to serve God.
• Married people belong to each other, and they should live that relationship out fully.
• A Christian husband and wife ought to find a way to stay together.
• A marriage partner who becomes a Christian may not use his or her faith as an excuse for divorce and may have to accept rejection by his or her non-Christian partner.
• Believers should be content in the roles God has given them.
• Marriage can either complicate or clarify a person’s commitment to Christ.
• Believers should always be available to the Lord, regardless of their status in life.

V.2 – ²  But because of immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
The point is that if one chooses to remain celibate, they should.  Yet believers should not deprive themselves of being married and try to enforce celibacy.  The point is that if God has not given the ‘gift of celibacy’ to you, then you should go ahead and marry.  It is in God’s plan that these would then be able to fulfill their sexual desires in the God-honoring institution of marriage.

 

Paul now counsels one’s behavior in a marriage…

V.3  “Let the husband fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband.”
The husband should not deprive his wife of sexual intimacy, which is her right as a married woman, nor should the wife deprive her husband.

When we get our sinful thinking involved we can twist things that our contrary to God’s plan.  One of those ways was if one or the other mate created a celibacy condition within marriage.  God originated marriage between a man and a woman and thus God initiated sex to be part of this union (merger).  God gave us these natural desires and thus initiated ‘marriage’ as the  sanctioned condition for these sexual desires to be accomplished .

Note Quote:

MISAPPLICATION

The Corinthians had a lot to learn about Bible application. Apparently, some were teaching that the easiest way to apply God’s guidelines about marriage and sexuality was to avoid marriage and sex completely. Principles designed to protect were being used to destroy marriage. Walls erected to make marriage a safe and wonderful place were being described as undesirable enclosures.

Today’s popular description of marriage commitment as little more than worthless ink stains on a piece of paper presents a parallel misunderstanding. When lifelong, mutual commitment is ruled out as the basis for marriage, the relationship is left without foundation. God did not design marriage to be part-time or short-term. The results that people desire in marriage (intimacy, trust, unity, security, joy) are never instant. In order to grow, they require the time that only a lifelong commitment provides. Patiently apply God’s principles to your marriage. God will bless your faithfulness.

 

V.4 – ⁴  The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
The NIV:        The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife.^[1]

This text would show that physically, their bodies belong to their spouses.  This was designed by God that through the marriage union the two would become one.  Meaning that through a sexual union the wife’s body no longer belongs just to her but also to her husband.  AND, in the same way the husband’s body no longer belongs to just himself, but also to his wife.

The Point:  Sex is not immoral because God created it; therefore, we should not deprive our spouse of it.  Note V. 5-6 stating this directive:

V.5-6 – 1 Corinthians 7:5-6 (NASB77)
⁵   Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
⁶  But this I say by way of concession, not of command.

1. 6- would seem to indicate that it was not a command, but a statement for understanding God’s purpose for designing marriage.

 

1 Corinthians 7:7 (NASB77)
⁷   Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.

Paul recognized that his live style of constant travel was not a style conducive to a good married life.

Quote:

VALUED ROLES

Both marriage and singleness are gifts from God. One is not morally better than the other, and both are valuable for accomplishing God’s purposes. It is important for each believer, therefore, to accept his or her present situation. When Paul said he wished that all people were like him (that is, unmarried), he was expressing his desire that more people would devote themselves completely to the ministry without the added concerns of spouse and family, as he had done. He was not criticizing marriage—after all, marriage and sex are God’s created way of providing companionship and populating the earth.

Are you married? Seek to honor God with your marriage commitment by honoring your spouse. Seek to serve God in whatever situation, position in life, or surroundings that you and your spouse share. If your spouse is not a believer, pray that your life and faithfulness will lead him or her to faith in Jesus Christ.

Are you single? Seek to honor God with your singleness. Do not feel that you are less of a person, alone in a world of couples. Instead, see your singleness as a gift from God. Ask him how he would have you serve him with that gift. You may find opportunities available to you that might never have been possible if you were married.

Trust God with your life. Seek to serve him with the gifts he has given.

 

1 Corinthians 7:8 (NASB77)
⁸  But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.

Paul spoke of various people’s situations.  He supported those that choose to remain unmarried as he was.

But in he shows his support of marriage:

1 Corinthians 7:9 (NASB77)
⁹  But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn.

The issue of ‘self-control’ might still be involved in their lives as they came out of a lifestyle of great sexual immorality that they may have been involve in as well.    Thus, they would be struggling with their sinful desires in that area.  Thus, Paul counsels them it would be wiser to marry then to burn with passion.  Marriage would be a legitimate way to release sexual pressure.

Quote:

PREMARITAL DECISION MAKING

Sexual pressure is not the best motive for getting married, but it is better to marry the right person than to “burn with passion.” Some in Corinth taught that all sex was wrong, so engaged couples may have been deciding not to get married. In this passage, Paul was telling couples who wanted to marry that they should not frustrate their normal sexual drives by avoiding marriage. This does not mean, however, that people who have trouble controlling themselves should marry the first person who comes along. It is better to deal with the pressure of desire than to deal with an unhappy marriage.

 

In the above note the underlined portion of the quote with the wise counsel to take the time to know your perspective mate before a proposal of marriage.

 

The counsel changes to the spiritual counsel of leaving a marriage partner.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11 (NASB77)
¹⁰  But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband
¹¹  (but if she does leave, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not send his wife away.

The command of remaining married is from the Lord.  Thus, married people were not meant to be divorced.  While divorce was permitted as a concession, it was not God’s plan for married people.

Here is a list of Bible verses to read what the Bible says about marriage:

Genesis 2:18–24

Marriage is God’s idea.

Genesis 24:58–60

Commitment is essential to a successful marriage.

Genesis 29:10–11

Romance is important.

Jeremiah 7:34

Marriage holds times of great joy

Malachi 2:14–15

Marriage creates the best environment for raising children.

Matthew 5:31–32

Unfaithfulness breaks the bond of trust, the foundation of all relationships.

Matthew 19:6

Marriage is permanent.

Romans 7:2–3

Ideally, only death should dissolve marriage.

1 Corinthians 7

In marriage, the husband and wife belong to each other.

Ephesians 5:21–33

Marriage is based on the principled practice of love.

Ephesians 5:23–32

Marriage is a living symbol of Christ and the church.

Hebrews 13:4

Marriage is good and honorable.

1 Peter 3:1–7

In marriage, each partner has responsibilities in caring for the other.

 

1 Corinthians 7:12-13 (NASB77)
¹²  But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away.
¹³  And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, let her not send her husband away.

There were couples in that congregation with people married to an unbeliever.  Here, Paul states there is no direct command from the Lord and thus he would not state exactly what must be done in a particular situation, but inferred what should be done from what Scripture does say.

Quote:

Because of their desire to serve Christ, some people in the Corinthian church thought they ought to divorce their pagan spouses and marry Christians. But Paul affirmed the marriage commitment. God’s ideal is for marriages to stay together—even when one spouse is not a believer. To leave the marriage—even for the noblest of goals in serving the Lord—would actually be to disobey God’s express command regarding marriage (Mark 10:2–9). Instead, the believing spouse should try to win the other to Christ (7:16). It would be easy to rationalize leaving; however, Paul makes a strong case for staying with the unbelieving spouse and being a positive influence on the marriage. Paul, like Jesus, believed that marriage is permanent. Paul commanded this for the believers in the church whose unbelieving spouses were willing to continue living with them. He gave other advice to those whose unbelieving spouses wanted to dissolve the marriage because the husband or wife had become a Christian (see 7:15).^[2]

Quote:

MAY A DIVORCED PERSON REMARRY? By forbidding divorced persons from remarrying, Paul was upholding the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5:31–32; 19:3–9; Mark 10:11–12; and Luke 16:18. Jesus’ main point was to teach that the divorce laws should not be used to dispose of one partner in order to get another one. The nagging question for Christians remains: May a divorced person, who truly repents of a sinful past and commits his or her life to God, remarry? We long for a simple, direct reply to that question, but there is none. Rather, we need to consider the intent of Jesus’ message on marriage. We have Jesus’ high view of marriage and low view of divorce recorded in the Gospels. Jesus proclaimed new life—full forgiveness and restoration—to all who would come to God in repentance and faith. Spiritual discernment is essential here, but the gospel—God’s promise of wholeness and full healing—includes the sacred bond of marriage. Thus, it seems right for churches to allow a repentant, formerly married person to marry another believer.

 

1 Corinthians 7:14 (NASB77)
¹⁴  For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy.

This does not mean that the unbelieving spouse is would be ‘saved’ because the other member of the marriage is ‘saved’.  Note the Quote from the LABC:

In this context, Paul pictured the unbelieving husband or wife, although remaining pagan, would assume “sanctification” in the eyes of God because of his or her intimate relationship with a believer. An unbelieving husband, as guardian and caretaker of a home and of his Christian wife, is sanctified by God due to the man’s role in the life of one of God’s chosen ones. The same is true of the wife.

The blessings that flow to believers don’t stop there but extend to others. Among those most likely to receive benefits from God’s work in believers’ lives are their spouse and children. God regards the marriage as “sanctified” (set apart for his use) by the presence of one Christian spouse. The other partner does not receive salvation automatically but is helped by this relationship. The unbeliever is in a relationship with one upon whom God has his hand and whom God will use for his service. This will have an effect because of the close relationship and love between the partners that presumably already exist.

Paul calls the children of such a marriage holy because of God’s blessing on the family. Many feel that the blessing given to the Christian parent extends to the children (though this is not expressly stated in Scripture), and they are to be regarded as Christian until they are old enough to decide for themselves. “Holy” here means dedicated to God by the believing parent. But the believing parent, called upon to raise his or her children in the faith, will hopefully have such an influence that the children will accept salvation for themselves.^[3]

 

1 Corinthians 7:15-16 (NASB77)
¹⁵  Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.
¹⁶  For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

 

Due to the difficult in writing this I give you a quote from the LABC.

7:15        But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.  While the believing spouse must not leave the marriage if the unbeliever wants to stay married (7:12–13), the opposite may also happen. The unbeliever may decide that, because his or her spouse has become a Christian, the marriage should be dissolved. In this case, the believer’s only choices would be to deny faith in Jesus Christ in order to maintain the marriage, or maintain faith in Christ and let the marriage be dissolved. As difficult as it might be, and as much as marriage is sanctified by God, the high calling of God must not be denied for any reason. So the believer must let the unbeliever go. When a divorce happens for this reason, a believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances to God’s law regarding divorce. This may be the second exception to remarriage, along with adultery (see Matthew 5:31–32). So the Christian man or woman can allow the divorce to happen and not be disobeying God. Another reason to not block this divorce is that God has called us to live in peace—a situation that would be impossible in a home where the unbeliever felt hostile toward the believer. It would be better for such a marriage to be dissolved.

7:16        You wives must remember that your husbands might be converted because of you. And you husbands must remember that your wives might be converted because of you.  Another reason for believers to try not to dissolve their marriage to an unbeliever is that they can be a good influence on their spouse. The intimacy and day-to-day-ness of marriage provide ample opportunity for the Christian to be a powerful witness to his or her spouse. So powerful can it be, Paul reminded them, that the unbelieving wife or husband might be converted because of the faithful testimony of the believing wives and husbands. For those couples who can stay together “in peace” (7:15), this would be the most joyous result of all.^[4]

 

For the remainder of the chapter I will give you a set of scriptures and a quote that provides practical application pertaining to the scriptural text.

1 Corinthians 7:17-24 (NASB77)
¹⁷  Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And thus I direct in all the churches.
¹⁸  Was any man called already circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.
¹⁹   Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God.
²⁰   Let each man remain in that condition in which he was called.
²¹  Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that.
²²  For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave.
²³   You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.
²⁴  Brethren, let each man remain with God in that condition in which he was called.

Quote:

START WHERE YOU ARE

Apparently the Corinthians were ready to make wholesale changes without thinking through the ramifications. Paul was writing to say that people should be Christians where they are. You can do God’s work and demonstrate your faith anywhere. If you became a Christian after marriage, and your spouse is not a believer, remember that you don’t have to be married to a Christian to live for Christ. Don’t assume that you are in the wrong place or are stuck with the wrong person. You may be just where God wants you (see 7:20).

 

STAY THERE

Often we are so concerned about what we could be doing for God somewhere else that we miss great opportunities right where we are. Paul says that when someone becomes a Christian, he or she should usually continue with the work he or she has previously been doing—provided it isn’t immoral or unethical. Every job can become Christian work when you realize that the purpose of your life is to honor, serve, and speak out for Christ. Because God has placed you where you are, look carefully for opportunities to serve him there. After all, if God found you there, God can certainly use you there!

 

SET FREE

People are slaves to sin until they commit their lives to Christ, who alone can conquer sin’s power. Sin, pride, and fear no longer have any claim over them, just as a slave owner no longer has power over slaves who have been sold. The Bible says that people become Christ’s slaves when they become Christians (Romans 6:18), but this actually means that they gain freedom, because sin no longer controls them. Don’t let the society around you dictate the rules. Make Christ your final authority.

 

Questions about Singleness:  1 Cor. 7:25-40

1 Corinthians 7:25-28 (NASB77)
²⁵  Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy.
²⁶  I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is.
²⁷  Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
²⁸  But if you should marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin should marry, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.

MARITAL LIMITATIONS

Many people naively think that marriage will solve all their problems. Here are some problems marriage won’t solve:

• Loneliness
• Sexual temptation
• Satisfaction of one’s deepest emotional needs
• Elimination of life’s difficulties

Marriage alone does not hold two people together, but commitment does—commitment to Christ and to each other despite conflicts and problems. As wonderful as it is, marriage does not automatically solve every problem. Whether married or single, be content with your situation and focus on Christ, not on loved ones, to help address your problems.

 

1 Corinthians 7:32-34 (NASB77)
³²  But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;
³³  but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife,
³⁴  and his interests are divided. And the woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

THE GIFT OF SINGLENESS

Some single people feel tremendous pressure to be married. They think their lives can be complete with a spouse. But Paul underlines one advantage of being single—the potential of a greater focus on Christ and his work. If you are unmarried, use your special opportunity to serve Christ wholeheartedly.

 

1 Corinthians 7:35-40 (NASB77)
³⁵  And this I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is seemly, and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.
³⁶  But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she should be of full age, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry.
³⁷  But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, he will do well.
³⁸  So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.
³⁹   A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.
⁴⁰  But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

 

WISE COUNSEL

Although Paul’s words were written almost two thousand years ago, his counsel rings true. Struggling marriages, quick divorces, and lonely singles are not a modern invention. Life in a fallen world is difficult. Paul’s responses to the Corinthian questions and mistakes are filled with wisdom, realism, truth—the evidences of inspiration by God’s Spirit. Some of his guidelines may not apply directly to us personally; others may be difficult to understand. But neither of those points relieves us from acting on what does apply and what we do understand. Take the clear steps of obedience, and much of the ambiguity will fall away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

^[1] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). 1 & 2 Corinthians (p. 94). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.