CALLED TO RELATIONSHIPS

1 Corinthians 7: 1-15

As we continue our unit on “Called to Obedience,” we will study today about the godly values concerning sex and marriage. At the time this letter was written by Paul to the Corinthians, the church was only about five years old and apparently needed instruction on such issues. Let us remember also that at this time in history Corinth was known for its sexual immorality.

SEXUAL PURITY

(1 Corinthians 7: 1, 2)

The opening statement of verse one indicates that Paul is answering a question written to him about sexual purity. The rest of verses one and two tells us what is considered good or okay in God's eyes. “It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” 1 Corinthians 7: 1, 2. Paul is telling the Corinthians that it is fine to stay single but in order not to commit the sin of fornication it is better to get married.

SHARED OWNERSHIP

(1 Corinthians 7: 3-5)

“Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.” 1 Corinthians 7: 3. In verse 3 Paul is telling the Corinthians that in marriage there are inherent responsibilities. A husband and wife must be sensitive to the others needs not just for reproduction but for their desires as well. Verses four and five go on to explain that if our partner is fulfilled then they are not as tempted to go elsewhere for fulfillment. Marital partners have shared ownership with each other's bodies. And we are to treat our partners as we would treat our own bodies.

STAYING SINGLE

(1 Corinthians 7: 6-9)

“But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.” 1 Corinthians 7:6. Paul is now speaking of his own experience. Sexual intimacy in marriage is expected. But whether a person gets married or not is their personal choice. It is not a sin to be single. Paul himself is single (v.7). Every man has their own gift of God in order to serve God. If not having a wife is possible then that man has less responsibility for family and more time to work and serve God. “But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.” 1 Corinthians 7:9. Paul says that a person may want to try singleness for a while. But if they cannot control their sexual desire then it is better for them to marry than to commit the sin of fornication.

TILL DEATH DO US PART

(1Corinthians 7: 10-15)

Paul now reverts to God's command. God's ideal for marriage is that there is no divorce. “Let not the wife depart from her husband. But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.” 1 Corinthians 7: 10, 11. Next Paul is going to address the situation of a believer being married to an unbeliever. “If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath a husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.” 1 Corinthians 7: 12, 13. The fact that your spouse does not go to church is not grounds for divorce. Rather it is an opportunity to witness and convert an unbeliever (v.14) through providing a godly influence on the spouse and the children. “But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.” 1 Corinthians 7: 15. Paul's reference to not under bondage means that we are not responsible for another person's actions. Just as an unbelieving spouse cannot be saved by the faith of a believing spouse, a believing spouse cannot be responsible if an unbelieving spouse divorces them of their own accord. Then the believing spouse is free to remarry a Christian if desired.