Marriage in Corinth

Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament Sexuality, Marriage, and Divorce (7:1–40)

SEXUALITY, MARRIAGE, AND DIVORCE (7:1–40)

This section addresses sexuality within marriage, remarriage for widows, divorce, and whether marriage is necessary or appropriate for everyone. Since this wide-ranging discussion is presented as a response to things the Corinthians wrote to Paul about, it appears that some Corinthian believers were confused about sexuality and marriage. It is important to recognize that Paul is not offering a fully developed, systematic teaching on marriage in the church. He is responding to specific issues raised by the Corinthians. Overlooking that point could lead to the impression from this passage that Paul has a low opinion of marriage. Paul affirms that marriage is the norm (Gen 2:24; 1 Tim 5:14). Staying single or celibate is an exception that Paul prefers in light of the coming kingdom of God (7:29–31).

Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament Sexuality within Marriage (7:1–7)

Sexuality Within Marriage (7:1–7)

Misunderstanding the role of sexuality within marriage is the problem Paul addresses in this passage. Apparently, some were teaching that celibacy within marriage was necessary and spiritual. Paul advocates celibacy or abstinence for the unmarried (7:1, 8), but he opposes it within marriage (7:2–5). A physical sexual relationship between husband and wife is perfectly compatible with Christian spirituality. Paul presents marriage as the proper context for sexual relations and emphasizes that neither husband nor wife should unilaterally deprive the other of sex. Paul teaches elsewhere that those who insist on celibacy are false teachers (1 Tim 4:1–5).

Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary Commentary

There were two extreme positions in the Corinthian church. Both groups falsely separated the physical and the spiritual, believing that neither affected the other. One group was hedonistic. This group claimed that sin only had to do with the physical body, and that believers could sin in their body without any consequence to their spiritual lives. Paul corrects this misunderstanding in ch. 6. The other group believed that all things spiritual are good, and all things physical are bad, and that in order to be truly spiritual a person has to suppress every physical desire. Proponents of this view claimed that celibacy is the only proper lifestyle. Paul corrects their misunderstanding here and explains that while sexual relationships in marriage are good, he chose celibacy in his own personal situation

Questions answered

answer is monogamy

Acts–Philemon 1. 7:1–16. Advice to Those Who Are Married

Paul is in harmony with Jewish teachings on this matter. In the Testament of Levi (ca. 137–107 B.C.) we read: “Be on guard against the spirit of promiscuity, for it is constantly active and through your descendants it is about to defile the sanctuary. Therefore take for yourself a wife while you are still young, a wife who is free of blame or profanation, who is not from the race of alien nations”

In a sex craved and driven society this rubs against the grain, Its like telling people today to meet someone save yourself and spend the rest of your life with only that person sexually

Each Have their own

Christian marriage is a remedy against sin…the temptation is great more about this later

Conjugal mutuality in duties/rights

we do not have the rights over our own bodies, a certain amount of Independence is gone

you were bought with a price

Husband and wife belong to each other, rights we have over one another are not for selfish desires but at the sensitivity to the partner not self… you give of yourself for your spouse.......its an actual duty!

verse 5 says not to deprive each other

when marriages fail here its because of the misuse and mis givings of spouses

they give themselves to someone or something else and do not give themselves to their spouse

Abstinence Acceptable

by both husband and wife, not in agreement but “in symphony” working together to produce something beautiful

for a season, not I have a headache or im tired season or next month lol. the season ‘Kairos’ means a key period in the timing of God, like a special purpose, family , church etc

For the express purpose of devotion to prayer

must be resumed once the “time” is over so that satan doesnt tempt you

when you are bonded in this way to your spouse then a breaking of this must be intentional and and temporary. it is a God given desire and gift and satan does try to destroy it.and we WILL fail here

Satan’s attack in sex

It is clear that this is one area where the devil attacks fiercely

The sanctity of sex has been has been dishonored and put to question by the enemy just like the garden....Is it really what God intended? doesnt He want you to live and enjoy life?

when truth is simple that freedom to disobey what God has designed is actually bondage, freedom to obey the Lord is Life in its fullest.

Satan is always active in a Christian marriage, and especially here when it comes to sex and prayer. most couples find that prayer together is the hardest part. and most of that falls on the man who in his pride and self dependence struggles to get vulnerable. some wives make this hard by nagging or judging and commenting instead of enjoying