I Corinthians Study I Corinthians 7:1-40 The Subject of Marriage

The instruction Paul gave with reference to our bodies being the Temple of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19-20) would have great relevance to the subject of marriage in Chapter 7.  Paul is addressing some questions presented to him by the Corinthians on this important subject.  Other questions posed to the Apostle Paul included such topics as personal liberty (I Corinthians 8:1-11:1), church order (I Corinthians 11:2-14:40), and doctrine (I Corinthians 15).

In verses 1-4, due to the immoral society of Corinth, Paul elevates marriage greatly to its heights, but he does not depreciate the good state of celibacy.  One should not attempt to maintain a celibate lifestyle apart from the enablement of God (v. 7) because it will only lead to immorality.  Moreover, Paul emphasized the importance of both the husband and wife satisfying the needs of one another.

To understand verse 5, there were some in Corinth who were trying to practice celibacy within marriage.  However, such a practice sometimes led to immorality on the part of the other mate.  In addition, Paul stated that sexual relations can be abstained from only when three conditions are met: “it is mutual consent, for a short time only, and for the purpose of devoting oneself to prayer.”   Paul was cautious in stating that the previous instruction of verse 5 was not a commandment but would aid the couple to avert the temptations of the flesh (v. 6).

Each believer can attest to the fact that the wiles of Satan are powerful; never-the-less, we gain victory over Satan’s stratagems only as we yield to the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16).  According to verse 7, many scholars advance that Paul was unmarried.  Paul preferred the unmarried state and he advanced that not everyone is called to be married.  Each person must seek his own calling, to marriage or singleness, and view it as a gift from God.  Paul insists that the unmarried state is honorable; however, those presently unmarried are free to marry and should do so if their sexual desires are strong (vv. 8-9).

Paul’s commandment to Christians married to one another was not to divorce!  When problems occurred in a Christian marriage, the resolution was to be sought in reconciliation (Ephesians 4:32), not in divorce (vv. 10-11).  Paul continued conveying instructions on the subject of marriage; moreover, now he discusses when believers are married to unbelievers (vv. 12-15).  Paul affirmed that the same principles should operate in a believer-unbeliever marriage as in a marriage of believers: as a rule, no divorce.  A Christian husband must not divorce an unbelieving wife, nor should a Christian wife divorce an unbelieving husband.  Again, the Christian is not to initiate a divorce, even if the spouse is an unbeliever.

The presence of the believer is an important factor in setting aside any children for faith in the Lord.  The Christian spouse served as a channel of God’s grace in such a union.  The Christian spouse’s godly influence can affect the family; in this case, the unbelieving spouse was sanctified, and the children were holy.  In the case where the unbeliever abandons the marriage, then the believer in the marriage is to consider himself or herself unbound (vv. 15-16).  The believer is now unbound and free to remarry because the unbeliever has deserted the marriage!  The passage is not intended to cover every possible marital situation.  But there is a strong stress on faithfulness, and on grace.  When one person’s faithfulness is rejected and a spouse abandoned, release is given for remarriage.

In verses 17-24, Paul advocates that every believer should abide in his or her calling.  Every believer is free in abiding in his or her calling.  An important verse to consider is found in verse 24: “Brethren, let every man wherein he is called, therein abide with God.”  From verses 25-35, Paul is careful to note that he is not passing on a divine command when he observes that there are advantages to being unmarried.  The married person must think of how to please his or her spouse.  The single person can focus on pleasing the Lord.  To Paul the single state seems better.  Again, Paul makes it clear that God will guide each individual into his or her own calling.

Finally, in verses 36-40, Paul says those who are widowed and unmarried are free to marry another believer.  But Paul cannot resist expressing again his feelings that there are great advantages in not being married.

May God Bless!