1 Corinthians 7:1-9
1 Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.
2 But because of sexual immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband.
3 The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise the wife also to her husband.
4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise the husband also does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
5 Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not 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 has his own gift from God, one in this way, 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 with passion.
The Teaching about Marriage
Christian marriage
Beginning with 1 Corinthians 7, Paul responds to questions that the Corinthian believers had asked him in a letter. It appears that they had various questions concerning marriage. The following is Paul’s answer. (1) First, he writes, “It is good for a man not to touch a woman.” From these words, we must not conclude that Paul was opposing marriage. This was advice given in consideration of the unique circumstances of the Corinthian church. In verse 26 of this chapter, Paul uses the expression, “in view of the present distress.” Although there is debate over what “the present distress” refers to, he was most likely sensing that a time of persecution was approaching. (2) Next, Paul says, “But because of sexual immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband.” The phrase “because of sexual immoralities” is also a statement made in consideration of the unique circumstances of the Corinthian church. (3) It is clear from passages such as Ephesians 5 and 1 Timothy 3 that Paul was not opposed to marriage itself. In fact, he even states that forbidding marriage is a mark of false teaching (ref. 1 Tim. 4:1-3). 1 Corinthians 7:3-6 sets forth the principles of the Christian marriage. Those who are married have mutual obligations to one another. A husband’s body no longer belongs to himself, but to his wife, and a wife’s body no longer belongs to herself, but to her husband. By mutual agreement, they may abstain from physical relations for a time in order to devote themselves to prayer. But when that period is over, they should come together again as husband and wife.
Unmarried men and widows
Next, Paul says to unmarried men and widows that if they are able to remain single as he is, that is preferable. The reason is that it allows them to serve God more freely. However, since each person has a different gift from God, if they are unable to exercise self-control, they should marry. As Paul says, “it is better to marry than to burn with passion.” Paul had a remarkably realistic understanding of human nature. His counsel is also highly practical and flexible. What do you learn from Paul’s practical wisdom?
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, each person must make his or her own choice regarding marriage. Please grant us practical and flexible wisdom. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.