Paul s Teaching on Marriage at Corinth A Study

Paul’s Teaching on Marriage at Corinth A Study of 1 Corinthians 7

Background • Paul is answering certain reports / questions from the Corinthians (1: 11; 5: 1; 7: 1, 25; 8: 1; 12: 1; 16: 1) • Paul’s main point on the marriage question is that celibacy (like Paul) is preferable in light of the “distress that is upon us” (7: 1, 7 -8, 26 -27, 38, 40) • Paul will make other points on marriage while emphasizing his main point on celibacy

Background “the distress that is upon us” – 1 Corinthians 7: 26 • “It is good for a man not to touch a woman” (v. 1) • “Yet I would that all men were even as myself” (v. 7) • “It is good for them if they abide even as I” (v. 8) • “it is good for a man to be as he is” (v. 26) • “Seek not a wife” (v. 27) • “giveth her not in marriage shall do better” (v. 38) • “But she is happier if she abide as she is” (v. 40)

1 Corinthians 7 Outlined “Now Concerning…” Marriage 1. Instructions concerning the celibate (vv. 1 -9) 2. Instructions concerning the married (vv. 10 -24) 3. Instructions concerning the virgins (vv. 25 -38) 4. Instructions concerning the widows (vv. 39 -40)

Instructions Concerning the Celibate 1 Corinthians 7: 1 -9 1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render unto the wife her due: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power over her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power over his own body, but the wife. 5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be by consent for a season, that ye may give yourselves unto prayer, and may be together again, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency. 6 But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment. 7 Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that. 8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. 9 But if they have not continency, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

1 Corinthians 7: 1 -9 • Celibacy is encouraged during the present distress, but marriage may be necessary (vv. 1 -2) • For those who choose marriage there are sexual duties / rights / responsibilities to fulfill (vv. 3 -5) • Celibacy during the present distress is permitted, but not commanded (v. 6) • Celibacy is encouraged, but both celibacy and marriage are a “gift from God” (v. 7)

1 Corinthians 7: 1 -9 • Celibacy is encouraged, but marriage may be necessary if one lacks self-control and burns with sexual desire (vv. 8 -9; note that marriage is good and God-ordained, Gen. 2: 18 -24)

Instructions Concerning the Married 1 Corinthians 7: 10 -16 10 But unto the married I give charge, yea not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not from her husband 11 (but should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband); and that the husband leave not his wife. 12 But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her. 13 And the woman that hath an unbelieving husband, and he is content to dwell with her, let her not leave her husband. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 15 Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us in peace. 16 For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

1 Corinthians 7: 10 -16 • Paul’s authority on this subject is the same as the Lord’s (v. 10; note Mt. 5: 32; 19: 9; Mk. 10: 11 -12; Lk. 16: 18) • Married couples are to stay together and not depart or leave one another (vv. 10 -11) – What to do if Paul’s words are not obeyed (v. 11)

1 Corinthians 7: 10 -16 • Paul’s authority on the subject is new revelation not given by Jesus (v. 12) • Married couples where one is an unbeliever must stay together (vv. 12 -14) – What to do if Paul’s words are not obeyed (v. 15) • A Christian does not know if the unbelieving spouse will become a Christian by staying together (v. 16)

God’s Calling Encouraged and Illustrated 1 Corinthians 7: 17 -24 17 Only, as the Lord hath distributed to each man, as God hath called each, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches. 18 Was any man called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called. 21 Wast thou called being a bondservant? Care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use it rather. 22 For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord's freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ's bondservant. 23 Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men. 24 Brethren, let each man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God.

1 Corinthians 7: 17 -24 • Paul illustrates two walks of life (callings) wherein a person finds himself when he becomes a Christian (vv. 17 -23; note “called” in v. 15 sets forth the point) – Called in circumcision or uncircumcision (vv. 18 -20; note Gal. 5: 6; 6: 15) – Called in slavery or freedom (vv. 21 -23) • Paul encourages everyone to remain as he is and not change his calling (v. 24)

Instructions Concerning the Virgins 1 Corinthians 7: 25 -38 25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be trustworthy. 26 I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is upon us, namely, that it is good for a man to be as he is. 27 Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife. 28 But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you.

1 Corinthians 7: 25 -28 • Paul gives his judgment, not a commandment, because celibacy is a matter of personal liberty (v. 25; note v. 6) • Virgins are encouraged to remain single during the present distress (v. 26; “distress” = persecution? ) • Those who are “bound” (married) should remain that way; those who are “loosed” (unmarried) should remain that way (v. 27; note that marriage is good, Prov. 18: 22)

1 Corinthians 7: 25 -28 • Should an unmarried person or virgin marry, no sin is committed (v. 28; note that Paul is not forbidding marriage, 1 Tim. 4: 3) • Marriage will bring tribulation during the present distress (v. 28)

Instructions Concerning Virgins 1 Corinthians 7: 25 -38 29 But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none; 30 and those that weep, as though they wept not; and those that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and those that buy, as though they possessed not; 31 and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passeth away. 32 But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33 but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and is divided. So also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

1 Corinthians 7: 29 -34 • The present “time” of distress and tribulation is short, but it will affect Christians and they should not become attached to a world that is passing away (vv. 29 -32) • Celibacy for virgins allows one to be free from (marital) cares to focus on serving the Lord without division and distraction (vv. 32 -35)

Instructions Concerning Virgins 1 Corinthians 7: 25 -38 35 And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. 36 But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin daughter, if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requireth, let him do what he will; he sinneth not; let them marry. 37 But he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power as touching in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, shall do well. 38 So then both he that giveth his own virgin daughter in marriage doeth well; and he that giveth her not in marriage shall do better.

1 Corinthians 7: 35 -38 • Celibacy or marriage for virgins may be practiced depending upon the needs and commitments of each person (vv. 36 -37) • Marriage for virgins is “well, ” but celibacy is “better” during this present distress (v. 38)

Instructions Concerning the Widows 1 Corinthians 7: 39 -40 39 A wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she abide as she is, after my judgment: and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 7: 39 -40 • A wife is “bound” by God to her husband in marriage for life (v. 39; note that Paul taught the same thing in Romans 7: 2 -3 and Jesus in Matthew 19: 6) • A widow is “free” to remarry after husband is dead, but “only in the Lord” (v. 39; note these words modify “married, ” not “whom”; a widow must marry “in the Lord” [an in-the-Lord-marriage]; a widow is not required to marry a Christian); see Eph. 6: 1

1 Corinthians 7: 39 -40 • A widow is encouraged to remain celibate at the time of this present distress (v. 40; note that elsewhere Paul encourages widows to marry, 1 Tim. 5: 11 -14)

M-D-R Errors Answered • Error: 1 Corinthians 7: 2 and 7: 9 allows any divorced person to be in a marriage. • Answer: 1) Paul is speaking of the man or the woman who has a God-given right to marry. 2) Paul’s statement here must not contradict teaching on M-D -R elsewhere in scripture. 3) If all divorced persons can be married, who then must “remain unmarried” (v. 11)?

M-D-R Errors Answered • Error: 1 Corinthians 7: 10 -11 says that it is scriptural to get a divorce (“but should she depart”) as long as you don’t get remarried. • Answer: 1) Paul said not to depart. 2) Paul was giving further instruction if one were to disobey the command. 3) Further instruction does not cancel the command (Rom. 11: 18; Gal. 5: 14 -15; Jas. 3: 13 -16; 1 Jn. 2: 1). 4) Divorce without remarriage still violates Matthew 5: 32 and Matthew 19: 6.

M-D-R Errors Answered • Error: 1 Corinthians 7: 12 says that Paul spoke about marriage to unbelievers, not Jesus; therefore, unbelievers are not under Christ’s law of marriage (Mt. 5: 32; 19: 3 -9; Mk. 10: 2 -12; Lk. 16: 18) • Answer: 1) Paul is addressing a topic that Jesus did not specifically address. 2) All are under Christ’s law of marriage – “everyone” and “whosoever” (Mt. 5: 32; 19: 9; Mk. 10: 11; Lk. 16: 18)

M-D-R Errors Answered • Error: 1 Corinthians 7: 15 says that a Christian may remarry after being divorced by an unbelieving spouse (the so-called “Pauline privilege”) • Answer: 1) “Under bondage” does not refer to the marriage bond (Gr. deo, vv. 27, 39), but to the bond (Gr. douloo) of forced servitude and slavery. 2) Nothing is mentioned in the text about remarriage.

M-D-R Errors Answered • Error: 1 Corinthians 7: 20, 24 says that all divorced people who have remarried can stay in their marriage at the time of their conversion • Answer: 1) The “calling” that Paul speaks of are walks of life that are morally pure in the sight of God. 2) Paul is not talking about sinful relationships.

M-D-R Errors Answered • Error: 1 Corinthians 7: 28 teaches that all divorced persons have a right to remarriage. • Answer: 1) “Loosed” in this verse refers to virgins or unmarried (v. 25), not all divorced persons. 2). If all divorced persons can remarry, it would contradict what Paul wrote in 7: 11 and what Jesus said in Mt. 5: 32; 19: 9; Mk. 10: 11 -12; and Lk. 16: 18