Marriage and Well… You Know

Paul has been addressing issues in the church up to this point.

Now he is going to change direction a little and answer some of questions raised in an apparent letter FROM the Corinthian church.

1 Corinthians 7:1–9 CSB

1 Now in response to the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because sexual immorality is so common, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman should have sexual relations with her own husband. 3 A husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise a wife to her husband. 4 A wife does not have the right over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband does not have the right over his own body, but his wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another—except when you agree for a time, to devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again; otherwise, Satan may tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all people were as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one person has this gift, another has that. 8 I say to the unmarried and to widows: It is good for them if they remain as I am. 9 But if they do not have self-control, they should marry, since it is better to marry than to burn with desire.

Let me begin by saying this is a tough message to preach because it is somewhat specific to certain peoples at certain points in their lives.

I will again say that even though it is tough we will still preach it but we will need some clarifications.

Paul says it is not good for a man to have sexual relations with a woman - he is not talking about married men, he is also not talking about a life of celibacy…

Keep in mind the biblical concept is that sexual relations unifies 2 people - and the 2 become one flesh - the prevailing thought is that if they are having sex, they are married.

Paul is basically saying that it is better to not get married and we later find out that the church in Corinth was enduring some challenges so Paul is saying that during this time it would be better to stay single.

Paul is not anti-marriage. As a matter of fact he affirms it in several places in his letters - Paul even says that forbidding marriage is a sign of the approaching end-time apostasy.

So let us look at the actual meaning behind what Paul is say and some practical applications…

Following God often requires us to set aside personal desires.

For some is may be better to not get married. The reality is that as great as marriage and having a family is they require you devote time and energy to them.

If someone is unmarried they may have more time and energy to serve God in ways that may not be possible for a family.

Still, there is great benefit to being in a marital partnership while serving God. You have a support system, a coach to correct and encourage, and someone to share the burden with.

A husband and wife are a team of equal partners.

Paul says a husband should do his duty and so should the wife - remember Paul is addressing a real group of people and for some reason the are practicing some form of celibacy in their marriage which is a perversion of biblical truth.

I’ll leave it to you to decide what Paul means by husband and wifely duties but I will say this - whatever you decide it should be agreed upon by both husband and wife.

Please don’t take the first part of verse 4 and not apply the second half - the reason neither husband not wife have right over their own body is because they have become one.

Satan is looking for an opening to attack, don’t give it to him.

While it may not be the best reason for someone to get married Paul makes it clear it is better to get married than to struggle with sexual immorality…

This is true no matter what situation you are in - you know where your weaknesses are and so does the devil.

Keep your guard up and walk according to the ordinances of God.

Paul ends again with the mention that he wishes for those unmarried to stay that way - let’s be clear this is Paul’s desire not a command from God.