Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 40-43
     New Testament Reading: 1 Corinthians 7

Now in response to the matters you wrote about (1 Corinthians 7:1).

The Apostle Paul has been addressing problems in the church at Corinth that were reported to him. For the rest of the letter, he turns his attention to specific questions that the church wrote to him about. The first question he answers is regarding marriage. Paul may have addressed this question first because of all the problems in the Corinthian church surrounding sexual immorality. We need to keep in mind that Paul is replying to specific questions, and not writing a complete manual on marriage.

Paul first addresses Christians who are married to other Christians. Paul emphasizes God designed marriage to be a union between one woman and one man (v2-3). They are not to deprive one another—except when you agree for a time, to devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again (v5).Paul’s last instruction to them is that God desires they remain married for life and not to see divorce as an option to solve their problems (v10-11).

Paul then addresses the unmarried and widows. There is some debate over who Paul is referring to by the term unmarried. It is most likely a reference to those who are divorced, the single again, since he included it together here with widows and later in the chapter speaks to virgins, the never married.

Paul gives two pieces of advice to those who were once married but now are single, either by the death of a spouse or divorce. First, it is better for you to remain unmarried. But second, it is alright to remarry. Paul states if they do not have self-control, it is better to marry than to burn with desire (v9).

Because Paul included himself in this situation, some scholars believe Paul was once married. Before his conversion, Paul was a ranking member of the Sanhedrin and members were required to be married and have children. We do not know if Paul was married, and his wife passed away, or after his conversion, his wife left and divorced him. The latter would fit with Paul’s personal advice to the next group of people.

Paul then addresses Christians married to Non-Christians. This section is not giving permission for a Christian to marry an unbeliever (v39), but is referring to one who becomes a Christian after they were already married, and their spouse remains an unbeliever. To them, Paul says they are not to leave, but to stay as they are. Wife, for all you know, you might save your husband. Husband, for all you know, you might save your wife (v16). However, Paul says, But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave. A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you to live in peace (v15).

The last group Paul addresses is virgins, the never married. To the Jews, marriage showed God’s blessing, especially for women. Paul stresses in this passage that one does not have to get married to please the Lord. Paul contends a person called to a life of celibacy will have more time to devote to the service of the Lord. However, not everyone is called to this life. If you do get married, you have not sinned (v28).

Reading through this chapter, you cannot help but be impressed with the seriousness of marriage. Paul’s counsel clarifies that God takes marriage seriously, and we cannot disobey God’s Word without suffering painful consequences.