Marriage and Purity - 1 Cor. 7:1-16
Marriage and Purity • Sermon • Submitted
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· 182 viewsMarriage involves a lifelong commitment for the sake of sexual purity and gospel witness.
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In fact, much of spiritual warfare IS the bombardment of false philosophical ideas, and Christians must be aware and combat them.
1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.
12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Prayer
The fastest divorce in history!
Countercultural - The mutual benefit of Christian marriage
Mutually beneficial - Mutual agreement - Mutual devotion
The fastest divorce in history!
A couple in Kuwait reportedly got divorced after just three minutes in Kuwait last month, in what is believed to be the shortest marriage on record.
The couple hadn’t even left the courthouse where their nuptials had taken place when the woman tripped over and fell. Instead of helping her up, her new knight in shining armour called her ‘stupid’, so she marched straight back and demanded a divorce from the judge who had just married them.
Most of us had false ideas or unrealistic expectation when we came to marriage
What false idea or unrealistic expectation did you have or do have?
Ex:
An expectation your marrying your mom and not a wife
My spouse exist to serve me
He will become a believer after were married.
He will become a believer after were married.
CLARITY: DO NOT MARRY AN UNBELIEVER! -
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Many of us struggle to hear these truth in holiness because we were unequally yoked.
I work to come home to a cooked meal, a clean house and quiet well mannered kids.
My spouse exist to serve me, obey me, submit to me. The Bible says so!
The kids alway go with the wife/me because she’s the woman/mom.
I can fix my spouse
Marriage/Mate/children will fix my problems
My husbands sole responsibility physical provision
------------------
Marriage or better said Life in Community can get messy & tricky!
Marriage, divorce, singleness, widowhood - They had questions?
Paul has started a new section dealing concerns/questions raised by the Corinthians:
Chpt. 7 - Matters relation to marriage, celibacy, & divorce
Chpt. 8 -11 - Matters of Idolatry
Chpt. 12-14 - Matters relation to spiritual gifts
We are impacted by culture at every level and sphere of life:
Greek Thought - Dualism - body unimportant - soul important (Led to two extremes rampant immorality or hyperspirituality)
This led to False idea & extremes in both marriage & singleness
While some within the church justified incest and visiting prostitutes, others advocated abstinence even within marriage.
Meanwhile, Men were staying single and living in open immorality
Paul’s view of marriage in must be seen not as a systematic exposition of his theology of marriage or of singleness, but as what emerges in confrontation with specific and contingent issues in Corinth
Paul believed ;
Schrage rightly insists that Paul’s view of marriage in must be seen not as a systematic exposition of his theology of marriage or of singleness, but as what emerges in confrontation with specific and contingent issues in Corinth
Paul’s view of marriage in must be seen not as a systematic exposition of his theology of marriage or of singleness, but as what emerges in confrontation with specific and contingent issues in Corinth
Sexual immorality was “eating their lunch” and Paul and the church knew it.
Sexual immorality was “eating their lunch” but on the other extreme also some were depriving their spouses.
What’s the point of 1 Cor?
Paul was concerned about three things throughout this letter: Unity, Purity & Love in the local church.
Marriage has a unique God-designed purpose and power to example Unity, Purity and Love and in so doing is unique in its ability to bring God glory.
Therefore Paul; leans into the sexual lives of the local church.
Main idea: Marriage involves a lifelong commitment for the sake of sexual purity and gospel witness.
; - Marriage is a lifelong commitment
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
- We first belong to Christ!
Marriage, according to Paul, does for man in the sphere of nature what union with Christ does for him in the sphere of grace.
4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
Marriage is a Lifelong commitment for the sake of Sexual Purity v.1-5; 6-10
Marriage is a Lifelong commitment for the sake of Sexual Purity v.1-5; 6-10
Paul is not looking at this issues linearly but more circular. So we are going to jump around the text to grab the overarching principles then unpack the practical teaching.
1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
God’s glory is at stake in our sexuality - Glorify God with your body!
False idea #1 - Sex is primarily about my needs
The guiding principle of marriage & singleness: Sexual Purity V.1-2
1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.
Question marks. - slogan or a quote they didn’t understand
Since Paul was single some might be confused by something he said.
Sexual purity in Singleness (Future message) - V.1
Control one’s own body in singleness or in marriage
V.7 - Paul was single and free from burning sexual passion when he wrote this letter, and he admitted that he saw advantages in this condition.
The principle unfold two categories: monogamy or celibacy
God blesses one person with the call to be single, and another he calls to marriage.
But - Singleness is the exception not the rule.
“But” -v.2 Singleness is the exception not the rule.
We are designed by God as sexual beings and therefore are tempted to misuse and abuse our own or others sexuality.
V.2 - Will marriage fix lust? No it helps.
Ex: it like getting enough sleep helps us be more patience but I am always going to fight impatience and build patience.
v.2 - Sexual purity = monogamy - own wife & own husband (mutuality & equality)
Sexual purity in marriage - to avoid/flee immorality get your own wife - commit yourself to one spouse for life.
Therefore for the sake of sexual purity, marry
Marriage is about mutual belonging as we give ourselves to each other
3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
We Belong first the the Lord and second to each other. ()
Do not allow an unfaithful, abusive deserter to misuse the bible!
An unfaithful, abusive deserter is a covenant breaker.
We Belong to each other (second) (Monogamy is a gospel issue)
The Bible often speaks of sexual relations as a privilege and blessing but married couples also have a duty not to refrain from sexual relations without just cause ().
10 If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights.
;
9 You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride;
you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes,
with one jewel of your necklace.
10 How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride!
How much better is your love than wine,
and the fragrance of your oils than any spice!
11 Your lips drip nectar, my bride;
honey and milk are under your tongue;
the fragrance of your garments is like the fragrance of Lebanon.
12 A garden locked is my sister, my bride,
a spring locked, a fountain sealed.
13 Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates
with all choicest fruits,
henna with nard,
14 nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon,
with all trees of frankincense,
myrrh and aloes,
with all choice spices—
15 a garden fountain, a well of living water,
and flowing streams from Lebanon.
16 Awake, O north wind,
and come, O south wind!
Blow upon my garden,
let its spices flow.
Let my beloved come to his garden,
and eat its choicest fruits.
10 I am my beloved’s,
and his desire is for me.
3 I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine;
he grazes among the lilies.
16 My beloved is mine, and I am his;
he grazes among the lilies.
Sex is not a bartering tool nor to be withheld to punish or control.
If Song of Sol. is ultimately about Christ and his love for His Bride.
We cannot grab that reality if we first do not understand that marriage and our sexuality is a beautiful thing meant to be enjoyed and in so doing points to someone greater.
Passionate desire and happiness for one’s spouse points ultimately to our desire and happiness in Christ.
Marriage is the giving of oneself to another.
- Drink from your own cistern.
15 Drink water from your own cistern,
flowing water from your own well.
16 Should your springs be scattered abroad,
streams of water in the streets?
17 Let them be for yourself alone,
and not for strangers with you.
18 Let your fountain be blessed,
and rejoice in the wife of your youth,
19 a lovely deer, a graceful doe.
Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight;
be intoxicated always in her love.
False idea #2 Only men have sexual needs. - Read v.3-4 -
Sex is not about you its about your spouse and when it is a picture of selfless giving
16 My beloved is mine, and I am his;
he grazes among the lilies.
This reveals generally a false idea that is probably revealed in other ways.
Dads how often do you let your wife have some “off time”
Wives and mothers need breaks. We need to man up and serve our wives.
False idea #2 Only men have sexual needs. - Read v.3-4 -
Sex is not about you its about your spouse and when it is a picture of selflessly giving yourself to spouse.
Therefore, stop depriving each other - v.5
5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Why did he say this? They were depriving each other.
Deprive = to steal
Celibacy is marriage should be mutually agreed and temporary for the sake of purity.
6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
Singleness is a gift and is elevated by Paul
Paul was most likely married in the past but is now is single. (Jewish male & a Pharisee)
V.7 - Paul was single and free from burning sexual passion when he wrote this letter, and he admitted that he saw kingdom advantages in this condition.
God blesses one person with the call to be single, and another he calls to marriage.(Next week)
Paul gave Christian women the freedom to stay single
Paul’s category is monogamy or celibacy
V.2 - Will marriage fix lust? No, it but helps.
John Piper: it like getting enough sleep helps us be more patience but I am always going to fight impatience and build patience.
v.2 monogamy - own wife & own husband (mutuality & equality)
Sexual purity in marriage - to avoid/flee immorality get your own wife - commit yourself to one spouse for life.
Marriage protects us from immorality so for those who do not have the gift of singleness they should get married and stay married.
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;
The first guiding principle: Sexual purity
V.8-9 - Marriage was not as good as celibacy, but it was better than burning with passion.
Marriage was not as good as celibacy, but it was better than burning with passion.
Control one’s own body in singleness or in marriage
Marriage protects us from immorality so for those who do not have the gift of singleness thy should get married and stay married.
Therefore for the sake of sexual purity, marry (Back to v.2)
The Second guiding principle; Marry and stay married (Sexual purity = holiness & staying married = Unity)
10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband
10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.
Lifelong mutual commitment (Covenant)
Separation = divorce (no context for the present day separation & divorce)
3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful to divorce one’s wife for any cause?” 4 He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” 8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
“Not I but the Lord” - The distinction that he makes here and in verse 12 between his commands and those of the Lord is not a distinction between what is inspired and what is not; nor is it a distinction between what Paul taught and what the Scriptures teach.
Lord here evidently refers to Christ, and the distinction intended is between what Christ had taught while on earth and what Paul by his Spirit was inspired to teach.
Divorce is a reality in our culture but the guiding principle is we marry and stay married.
Glorifying God in our bodies mean we hold both our marriages and our sexuality as a primary way we glorify God in our bodies.
Unpacking what at the heart of a healthy marriage (practical)
Marriage is about meeting Mutual sexual needs
3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
The principle of sexual purity is given to both man and women because both struggle with it because both have sexual needs.
For a man in that cultural to think that he should think and fulfil his wife’s needs was countercultural.
Marriage is about mutual belonging as we give ourselves to each other (Mutual belonging & mutual self-giving)
3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
We Belong first the the Lord and second to each other. ()
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
This text has been used more than most by abusive, unfaithful spouses.
Do not allow an unfaithful, abusive, deserter to misuse this text!
An unfaithful, abusive deserter is a covenant breaker.
We Belong to each other (second) (Monogamy is a gospel issue)
Cultural reality as a Graeco-Roman -The responsibilities of a father, a householder, and a citizen ensured and required that the married man became active in the social, political, and economic life of his town.
This is not merely about sex this is about a false idea of marriage, manhood and womanhood.
The issue they were questioning revolved around celibacy within marriage.
Men were choosing to be celibate as a form of hyper-spirituality. - Men, you dont have that right, you belong to her!
Paul says married couples also have a duty not to refrain from sexual relations without just cause ().
The Bible often speaks of sexual relations as both a privilege and blessing
Duty and a privilege. Right and a blessing
;
10 I am my beloved’s,
and his desire is for me.
16 My beloved is mine, and I am his;
he grazes among the lilies.
Sex is not a bartering tool nor to be withheld to punish or control.
If Song of Sol. is ultimately about Christ and his love for His Bride.
We cannot grab that reality if we first do not understand that marriage and our sexuality is a beautiful thing meant to be enjoyed and in so doing points to someone greater.
Passionate desire and happiness for one’s spouse points ultimately to our desire and happiness in Christ.
(Marriage is about mutual belonging)as we give ourselves to each other (LOVE)
Mutual giving and mutual desire and mutual satisfying of those desires.
- Solomon speaking to his sons about marriage & purity.
15 Drink water from your own cistern,
flowing water from your own well.
16 Should your springs be scattered abroad,
streams of water in the streets?
17 Let them be for yourself alone,
and not for strangers with you.
18 Let your fountain be blessed,
and rejoice in the wife of your youth,
19 a lovely deer, a graceful doe.
Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight;
be intoxicated always in her love.
To be selfish sexually is simply an indicator your being selfish elsewhere.
Intimacy does not begin in the bedroom but the kitchen
Dads how often do you let your wife have some “off time”
Dads how often do you let your wife have some “off time”
Wives and mothers need breaks. We need to man up and serve our wives.
\The principle of sexual purity is given to both man and women because both struggle ith it.
The principle of sexual purity is given to both man and women because both struggle ith it.
Sexual intimacy is not about you its about your spouse and when it is a picture of selflessly giving yourself to your spouse and to them alone.
Therefore, stop depriving each other - v.5
5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
Why did he say this? They were depriving each other.
Except, perhaps - limited
Deprive = to steal
Culture men were choosing to remain celibate in marriage as a form of hyper-spirituality and Paul is saying, youre a thief!
Celibacy in marriage should be mutually agreed and temporary for the sake of purity.
Culturally this was unheard of.
According the Bible Women have equal needs & equal standing in marriage that must be honored.
This does not undermine headship but is the very foundation for it.
Three truths
Honoring Gods means guarding ones sexuality whether single or married
We marry for Life
For most people we should marry and stay married
Practically marriage involves mutual belonging as we give ourselves only to our spouse
Marriage involves a Lifelong Commitment for the sake of Gospel witness
Marriage involves a Lifelong Commitment for the sake of Gospel witness
12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him.
The believer asks Paul with genuine concern: if I have left behind the old life and become a new creation in Christ, does not my relation with my unbelieving, unrepentant spouse and my entire home atmosphere threaten to pollute and to corrode my purity as one who belongs to Christ?
Am I unclean/unholy by association?
The first & second guiding principle: Purity & Staying married -v.12-13
How does staying married protect our gospel witness?
1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
V.14 - How does a believing spouse make unbelieving spouse holy?
Remember our guiding principles: Sexual purity & stay married!
Marriage protects our gospel witness:
Marriage protects our gospel witness:
The lifestyle of the Christian partner cannot but affect the ethos and to some extent the values and lifestyle of the home, whether this be the husband or the wife. The spouse’s example, witness, prayer, and living out of the gospel make the spouse (and the children) in this sense holy.
Gospel Witness by honoring our lifelong commitment and displaying Christ to an unbelieving spouse- v.12-14
The Believing spouse is committed to their Lifelong commitment. The unbelieving spouse may or may not be.
14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
V.14 - How does a believing spouse make unbelieving spouse holy?
Our union in Christ is greater and it is ultimate.
The lifestyle of the Christian partner cannot but affect the ethos and to some extent the values and lifestyle of the home, whether this be the husband or the wife.
The spouse’s example, witness, prayer, and living out of the gospel make the spouse (and the children) in this sense holy.
The believing spouse has a sanctifying effect on the unbeliever and especially their kids.
Our union in Christ is greater and it is ultimate.
1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
Ex: Church member was married to a hard working and hard living unbeliever 30-40 years.
This godly woman lived her faith in front of her unbelieving husband. No one knew he was listening to her pastor on his phone.
One Sunday they come up to the pastor hand in hand. Shocked to see him, he asked him what are you doing here. I’ve been listening online and the Lord saved me.
If they leave, the spouse is not bound but ifs free to be to marry again.
V.15-16 - Display your Gospel witness by living in peace
single minded - un-anxious devotion to the Lord
Your spouse abuses you or bails on you - God has called you to peace.
For those married to an unbeliever: We should pray and labor for marriage that exist in harmony with God and each other.
Your spouse bails on you - God has called you to peace.
Also, We should pray and labor for marriage that exist in harmony with God and each other.
So What?
So What?
So What?
So What?
Is my Marriage a fitting symbol of the union between Christ and His people?
22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands.
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body. 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Whatever is ultimate in your life, there is your God.
We commit ourselves to each other not because marriage is ultimate but because Christ is ultimate.
“In Paul represents marriage as a most ennobling spiritual union that raises a man out of himself and makes him live for someone else—a union so elevated and refining as to make it the fitting symbol of the bond between Christ and his people, by which they are exalted to the full perfection of their being”. - Hodge
according to Paul, Marriage does for us in the realm of nature what union with Christ does for us in the realm of grace.
Gospel Transformation Bible: English Standard Version Study Notes for Ephesians
God’s covenant relationship as a husband to his (often wayward) bride is one of the recurring themes all through Scripture (Ezekiel 16; Hosea 1–3; Revelation 19). In Christ we see the full extent of God’s love and marital faithfulness. Our marriages should point to the same. God does not exist to make much of marriage; marriage exists to show the world the glory of Christ and his church.
Gospel Transformation Bible: English Standard Version Study Notes for Ephesians
God’s covenant relationship as a husband to his (often wayward) bride is one of the recurring themes all through Scripture (Ezekiel 16; Hosea 1–3; Revelation 19). In
Gospel Transformation Bible: English Standard Version Study Notes for Ephesians
God’s covenant relationship as a husband to his (often wayward) bride is one of the recurring themes all through Scripture (Ezekiel 16; Hosea 1–3; Revelation 19). In Christ we see the full extent of God’s love and marital faithfulness. Our marriages should point to the same. God does not exist to make much of marriage; marriage exists to show the world the glory of Christ and his church.
GTB: “God does not exist to make much of marriage; marriage exists to show the world the glory of Christ and his church.”
This does not diminish marriage but centered our marriage as central to the very mission of God in this world.
God does not exist to make much of marriage; marriage exists to show the world the glory of Christ and his church.
The Lord told Hosea to marry of prostitute to give himself only to her. Though she was unfaithful yet he pursued her just as Christ has done to each of us.
And he spoke of a day when the Lord would become one with his Bride.
And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord.
19 And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. 20 I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord.
The clear boundary of marriage: Do not marry an unbeliever
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
What is I get saved and my spouse doesn’t or what if I married an unbeliever? What now?
Context: spouse were either pagan or Jews. Ok now I’m a believer to divorce them and start “fresh.”
The reality of divorce
- infidelity
7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” 8 He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
- desertion & Abuse
15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.
Separates in the Bible means divorce - no context for separation and then divorce
Enslaved - bound
Permitted never commanded
The explicit imperative: Stay married - v.10
10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband
10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.
not I but the Lord - Lord here evidently refers to Christ, and the distinction intended is between what Christ had taught while on earth and what Paul by his Spirit was inspired to teach.
Paul’s teaching echo’s
The plain doctrine of the passage before us, as well as other portions of the Word of God, is that marriage is an indissoluble covenant between one man and one woman for life, admitting neither of polygamy nor of divorce. If the covenant is annulled, it can only be by the sinful act of one of the parties.
But he is not writing a systematic treatise on divorce. He is answering specific questions.
The reality is corinth was a place of rampant sexual immorality and the church was battling extremes in living in community in the midst of a culture that demeaned women and misunderstood marriage.
The church wanted to know some questions:
1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
Divorce might occur in cases of infidelity, abuse or desertion.
- infidelity
- desertion & Abuse
15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.
Marriage, according to Paul, does for man in the sphere of nature what union with Christ does for him in the sphere of grace.
Do not divorce even if your spouse is an unbeliever.
Marriage is not for everyone
1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”
A new cultural category: A single Christian
6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
Paul though most likely once married is now single and considers it a gift.
Paul was a Pharisees and Jewish men and Pharisees especially were required to be married. (Death or desertion… we don’t know.)
Singleness is a Christian category that is held in high esteem
This is countercultural in Paul’s day.
Paul, Men and women can stay single and devote yourself to the Lord’s work.
Remember, Men were expected to get married and have children
Marriages were arranged and Women had no choice who or if they married.
This would have blown the cultures mind!
Paul is correcting extremes inside and outside of marriage with two categories:
Monogamy or celibacy
Marriage promotes sexual purity - v.2
Pastoral reason: Rampant immorality
Celibacy is to be the exception, not the rule.
Staying single and visiting prostitutes and married men withholding relation from their wife because they thought it “spiritual.”
The general rule is that people should be married and the expressions his own wife and her own husband point to monogamy.
Since fornication was so common at Corinth it was hard for the unmarried to remain chaste and hard for them to persuade others that they were, in fact, chaste.
It is best to understand Paul not as exhorting unmarried people to marry, but rather married people to continue sexual relationships with each other (cf. ).
1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife.
Marriage is about mutual belonging
We Belong to each other (second) (Monogamy is a gospel issue)
Th Bible often speaks of sexual relations as a privilege and blessing (; ), but married couples also have a duty not to refrain from sexual relations without just cause ().
Marriage is the giving of oneself to another.
,, - Drink from your own cistern.
Song of Solomon - 2:16a; 6:3; 7:10
Therefore, stop depriving each other - v.5
Marriage is a lifelong for the sake of Gospel witness . - v.10-16
Marriage is a lifelong for the sake of Gospel witness . - v.10-16
So What?
So What?
Is my Marriage a fitting symbol of the union between Christ and His people?
“In Paul represents marriage as a most ennobling spiritual union that raises a man out of himself and makes him live for someone else—a union so elevated and refining as to make it the fitting symbol of the bond between Christ and his people, by which they are exalted to the full perfection of their being”. - Hodge
Marriage, according to Paul, does for man in the sphere of nature what union with Christ does for him in the sphere of grace.
Future:
Is my Singleness a fitting picture of a pure devotion to Christ alone.