1 Corinthians 7

CHAPTER 7

 

Teaching Concerning Marriage (7:1-24)

1 The Corinthian Christians had written to Paul asking some questions about marriage, and in this chapter, Paul gives the answers to their questions.

Paul starts out by saying: It is good for a man not to marry.¹⁷ Why does Paul say that? Paul says it because, in the unmarried state, a man has more time to serve the Lord.

But in order to remain unmarried one needs from God a special gift (verse 7) of self-control; that is, one needs a special calling to remain unmarried. Most men and women do not have this gift, and therefore it is better that they marry.

2 One of the reasons that God established marriage was to prevent sexual immorality. All men and women have sexual desires and needs. But if every person has his or her own wife or husband, then there will be no need for anyone to engage in immoral sexual acts.

In this verse, Paul is not saying that every man must marry; he himself was not married! Paul is only saying this: Let each man who marries have his own wife, and let each woman who marries have her own husband.

3-4 The expression marital duty in verse

3 means “having sexual intercourse.” Without sexual intercourse a marriage is not complete. One of the essential functions of marriage is that a man and a woman, through intercourse, become joined together as one body, as one flesh (Ephesians 5:31).

For this reason, a man and his wife must fulfill their duty to each other to engage in sexual intercourse. They must submit to one another in sexual matters (Ephesians 5:21). Their bodies should remain under each other’s control. The wife’s body belongs not only to herself but also to her husband, and the husband’s body belongs not only to himself but also to his wife. They belong equally to one another.

In many cultures, the wife is considered to be the property of her husband. In such societies, all authority and all rights belong to the husband. The wife only has the “right” to honor and obey and serve her husband. The wife is like a slave. In God’s eyes, such servitude is a corruption of true marriage. This was not God’s intention when he established marriage between man and woman (see General Article: Christian Marriage).

5 In marriage, if the wife desires to have intercourse, the husband should agree (unless some legitimate reason prevents it). If the husband desires to have intercourse, the wife should agree. If the husband and wife refuse to fulfill each other’s desire in sexual matters, then they deprive each other, and this is wrong. The husband and wife should always remain ready and willing to fulfill each other’s needs and desires.

For this reason, a husband and wife should not remain separated from one another unless absolutely necessary. Paul mentions only one suitable reason why a husband and wife should for a time deprive each other—that is, abstain from sexual intercourse—and that reason is so that they can both devote special time to prayer.¹⁸ if they do abstain for this reason, it should be by mutual consent, and then only for a time. Otherwise, their sexual desire will build up, and the temptation to engage in sexual immorality may overcome them.

In many countries it is customary for the husband, in particular, to leave his wife and go away for a prolonged period to study or to work. According to the teaching of the Bible, this custom is not good. A Christian couple planning such a prolonged separation should diligently seek God’s will in the matter. They should not go ahead with their plan unless they are convinced that it is God’s will.¹⁹ if it is essential that the husband move to a different place, every effort should be made to have the wife accompany her husband.

Some people believe that the only reason for having sexual intercourse is to produce children. But here Paul gives two other reasons why sexual intercourse in marriage is essential: first, to minimize the temptation to sexual immorality; and second, to enable a couple to experience the joy and intimacy which comes from fulfilling each other’s sexual needs.

6  Paul says: I say this as a concession, not as a command. The “this” he refers to is what he said in verse 2: namely, that a man or woman should be married to his or her own spouse. Paul is not giving a command that everyone get married. Rather, he is only saying that most people need to get married in order to keep themselves from sexual immorality. After saying in verse 1 that it is good for a man not to marry, Paul then says in verse 6—as a concession—that, for most people, marriage will be necessary.

7  Paul writes: I wish that all men were as I am—that is, unmarried. Paul wishes this because unmarried people are able to devote more time and energy to serving Christ. But each man has his own gift from God. Paul had the gift of self-control; because of that, it was not necessary for him to marry. Others have different gifts. For example, those who marry will likely have the “gift” of raising children, or the gift of hospitality.

8  Paul here repeats the thought of verse 1: namely, that it is good to remain unmarried.

Paul again encourages those who have the gift of self-control to remain unmarried—as I am, Paul adds. It is not known whether Paul was previously married or not. Almost all Jewish men married, and Paul was a very strict Jew. It is possible that he had once been married but his wife had died. The only thing we know for sure is that at the time Paul wrote this letter, he was unmarried.

The word unmarried in this verse can have three meanings. First, it can refer to a person who has never married. Second, it can refer to a person who has once married but whose spouse has died—that is, a widow or widower. Third, it can refer to a person who has been divorced from his or her spouse.²⁰ It is probable, however, that Paul is thinking mainly of the first meaning here, because he mentions widows (the second meaning) separately.

9 Paul advises the unmarried and the widows who cannot control themselves to marry rather than to burn with passion. That is, those without the gift of self-control should marry. This advice applies to both men and women.

To burn with passion is perfectly natural; it is not in itself sinful. However, if such passion remains unsatisfied, it can lead to temptation and then to sin. Therefore, one should not let such passion continue to burn; rather, one should get married.

10-11 Marriage is for a lifetime: that is Christ’s command (Mark 10:6-9). A wife must not separate from her husband (verse 10). And a husband must not divorce his wife (verse 11). But if one of them has divorced the other (or is living separately from the other), they should make every effort to be reconciled to each other. If that proves impossible, then they will have to remain unmarried. There are only two conditions clearly given in Scripture under which it is lawful for divorced people to remarry. The first condition is when one’s spouse has committed adultery; then it is lawful for the innocent spouse to remarry (Matthew 5:32). The second condition is when the divorced spouse dies; then also it is lawful for the surviving spouse to remarry (Romans 7:3; 1 Corinthians 7:39). If either of these two conditions do not exist, then a divorced person should not remarry; to do so would be to commit adultery.²¹

12-13 Here Paul turns to a different subject: the marriage in which one spouse is a believer and the other is not.

In verse 12, Paul addresses the rest. “The rest” are those believers who are married to unbelievers. There is no written teaching of Jesus on this subject. Because Jesus’ ministry on earth lasted only three years, this problem of “mixed marriages” may not have arisen during His lifetime—certainly not for many people. Therefore, He would have had little occasion to teach about it. This is why, in this section, Paul speaks on his own authority as an apostle. He says: I say this (I, not the Lord). Paul also speaks with the authority of the Holy Spirit (verse 40), because it is through the Holy Spirit’s direct inspiration that Paul has written all of his New Testament letters.

Before looking at Paul’s teaching on this subject of mixed marriages (in which only one spouse is a believer), it is important to reaffirm another of Paul’s basic teachings: namely, that a Christian must never marry a non-Christian (2 Corinthians 6:14).

However, if one is already married and then afterward becomes a believer, what should one do? Paul’s answer is this: if the unbelieving spouse is willing to live with the believing spouse, then the believing spouse must not divorce the unbelieving one. Such a marriage is still holy in God’s sight.

14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. This does not mean that the unbelieving spouse will receive salvation. It means that the purity and holiness of the believing spouse will in some way reflect on the unbelieving spouse and on their children. The spiritual blessings which God gives the believing spouse will also to some extent come upon the unbelieving spouse, their children, and even upon their entire household (Genesis 7:7; 39:4-5).

The children … are holy. This does not mean that children are automatically saved because of the faith of their parents. For we know that to be saved, each individual must believe for him or herself and be born again by the Holy Spirit (John 3:3). But the meaning of the above statement is this: The children of believing parents (or even of one believing parent) are in some way born into God’s household, into God’s family. But even though that is so, it is of course necessary that as soon as they are old enough they themselves put their faith in Christ. No person can be naturally born a Christian. A person is saved not through the faith of his mother or father but only through his own faith.

15 If the unbelieving spouse wants to leave, then the believing spouse should let the unbeliever leave. Why? Because God wants a husband and wife to live in peace. If the unbelieving spouse is always quarreling with the believing spouse, then let that marriage end! God is not pleased with a marriage full of strif e.

If the unbelieving spouse leaves, the believing spouse is not bound in such circumstances. Many Christians think that Paul is saying here that it’s all right for the believing spouse to remarry, because the believing man or woman is not bound.

16 The believing spouse must continually hope and pray that the unbelieving spouse will become a Christian and be saved (see 1 Peter 3:1-2). But if reconciliation is not possible, then the believing spouse should not force the unbelieving spouse to stay.

17 Paul now gives a general rule for everyone: … each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him. Even though we have been spiritually transformed as Christians, that doesn’t mean we should expect our social and economic situation to be transformed as well.²² For example, if a person was married when he first believed in Christ—that is, when he was called (verse 18)—then let him, if at all possible, remain married. If a person was circumcised (a Jew) when he first believed, then let him remain a Jew (verse 18). if a person was a slave, then let him remain a slave (verse 21).

18-19 No matter what our situation in life is, the most important thing is to remain obedientto God. Keeping God’s commands is what counts, writes Paul (verse 19). Whether one is married or unmarried, CIRCUMCISED or uncircumcised, slave or free, is not the important thing (see Gal-atians3:28; 5:6; 6:15). The most important thing is this—that we have been called to do God’s will, to love and obey His Son Jesus Christ (John 14:21).

20-21 God can always change our outward circumstances; that is no problem for Him. If we are unmarried, and after becoming a Christian we want a husband or wife, God can provide one for us. If we are slaves, God can free us. But we ourselves must not try to change our situation by force or according to our own will. Instead, we must wait for God’s leading and God’s action (verses 20,24). God knows much better than we do what is best for us, and He certainly knows what is going to glorify Him the most. We have only one duty: to lead a life worthy of the calling to which we have been called (Ephesians 4:1).

22 Our outward situation—whether we are married, circumcised, or slaves—is of no account. The only thing that counts is that we belong to Christ. Nothing else matters more than this. A slave who believes in Christ is the Lord’s freedman—and such a man is truly free (see John 8:31-32,36). Or looked at another way, the free man who believes in Christ is, in fact, Christ’s slave. Therefore, whether outwardly we’re slave or whether we’re free, inwardly we belong to Christ.

23 Once Christ has bought us, we are His “slaves.” Even though outwardly we are another man’s slave or servant, inwardly we belong to Christ and we must obey Him above all. He alone is our true master and Lord.

Christ has bought us. Just as, in Paul’s day, slaves were bought and sold like property or cattle, so we also have been bought by Christ. What price did Christ pay for us? The price was His own blood, His own life (see 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

24 Paul here repeats what he wrote in verse 20.

Questions Concerning Virgins (7:25-40)

25 The word virgin in the Greek lan-guage²³ means a man or woman who has never been married. Therefore, in verses 25-28, we can understand that Paul is talking about both men and women who are virgins.

26 By the expression present crisis, Paul means the great difficulties and sufferings that were continually coming upon Christians in the Roman Empire during New Testament times.

Paul advises that under such circumstances it would be better to remain unmarried. People can usually endure persecution more easily if they don’t have a wife and children to worry about!

27 Insof ar as possible, let people remain in the situation they are in. Let them accept the circumstances in which God has placed them (see verse 17 and comment).

28 If anyone needs to get married, let him marry; that is no sin. But those who marry will experience more worry and trouble than the unmarried—such as, where they shall live, how they shall care for their family, etc. The married woman will have the additional troubles of giving birth, raising children, and remaining under her husband’s authority. Paul urges the Corinthians to think twice before they get married under such circumstances!

29-31 One of the main reasons Paul advises Christians not to try to change their outward situation is that he believes the time is short. Paul’s statement, the time is short, can have two meanings: first, that in this world our life is short; or second, that this world will soon end (see Romans 13:11-12). Whichever meaning we choose, one thing is sure: in a few short years our own lives on this earth will end—and, as a practical matter, that will be the “end of the world” for us. Because after that the next significant event for us will be the last judgment at the real end of the world.

Therefore, for all of us, the time is indeed short. In a few years, we who believe in Jesus will leave this earth to be with Him forever. So, then, why should we be filled with worry and care about our earthly situation? (see Matthew 6:31-33; Mark 4:19; Colossians 3:2). For example, in heaven we will not be married (Matthew 22:30). Therefore, those of us who have husbands and wives should live as though [we] had none. That is, we should not put so much concentration on marriage here on earth. Rather, let us concentrate most of all on keeping God’s commands (verse 19).

By the same reasoning, whether we mourn or whether we are happy here on earth is not of great importance. Soon we will leave this earth; then all who have believed in Jesus will be happy, and those who have not believed will mourn. Therefore, let those who mourn and rejoice on earth do so as if their sadness or happiness will quickly pass—that is, let them mourn and rejoice as if they did not (verse 30).

Likewise, those who buy something should buy it knowing they can’t keep it for long; let us not think we can store things up for ourselves (see Matthew 6:19-21; Luke 12:16-21 and comments). We came into this world naked, and we shall leave naked (Job 1:21).

Likewise, those who use the things of the world should use them without being engrossed in them, or attached to them. That is, let us use the things of the world wisely, as good stewards. Let us use the things of the world—but not let the things of the world use us! The world is in our hands—but let it not be in our hearts (see John 2:15-17). For this world in its present form is passing away (verse 31).

32-34 In these three verses Paul again points out the advantages of remaining unmarried. The unmarried man or woman’s duty is to Christ alone. Married men and women have duties both to Christ and to their spouses. The married person’s attention is turned in two directions; it is divided. That is not a sin, because God has given married couples responsibilities for each other and for their children. But in Paul’s opinion, it is better to remain single, so that one’s entire care and attention can be given to the Lord.

35 Nevertheless, Paul does not want to restrict or lay any restraint upon the Corinthian believers. That is, let them be under no obligation either to marry or not to marry. Rather, let it be their one goal to live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. On one side, if a person does not need to get married, it is better to stay single; otherwise, marriage could become an obstacle to that person’s devotion to the Lord. On the other side, if a person does need to get married, it is better to marry; otherwise, “burning passion” (verse 9) could become an obstacle to that person’s devotion to the Lord. If a person is always desiring to get married, how is he or she going to be devoted to the Lord without distraction? Such people will be able to serve the Lord much better if they marry! We each must live according to the gifts and calling which God has given to us (verse 7,17).

Therefore, whether we are married or unmarried—no matter what our situation is—let us as much as possible live in undivided devotion to the Lord.

36-38 There is uncertainty about how verses 36-38 should be translated. In the Greek text, it is not clear whether Paul is talking about a man and his fiancee, or whether he is talking about a father and his virgin daughter. The Bible translation used in this commentary follows the first meaning. The second meaning is mentioned in the footnote.²⁴

According to the first meaning, a man who is engaged to a virgin is free to marry her or not to marry her. He should not feel under obligation to do one or the other. He should determine what the Lord’s gifts and calling are to him, and then act accordingly. if the man has control over his own will—if he has been given the gift of self-control—and if he is convinced of the Lord’s will, then he does right in not marrying the virgin he is engaged to.

Either way, the man does right, whether he marries or not. As usual, however, Paul thinks it better not to marry (verses 1,8).

39 A widow is always free to remarry (see Romans 7:2). But if she remarries, the person she marries must belong to the Lord; that is, he must be a believer.

This same teaching would apply also to a man whose wife has died, and who wants to remarry. He, too, must marry a believer.

40 In Paul’s opinion, it is better if a widow (or widower) stays as she is—that is, stays unmarried and does not marry again. He believes she will be happier if she remains single. However, in 1 Timothy 5:14, Paul advises that widows who are young should usually get married again.

Paul’s opponents in Corinth probably scoffed at Paul’s letters, saying that the things Paul wrote were only his personal opinions and had no authority; therefore, it was not necessary to pay any attention to them. For this reason Paul reminds the Corinthians here that he has received the Holy Spirit as much as any of them—and surely much more so! Therefore, let them heed what he writes!

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