1 Corinthians
C. Marriage Matters
The Corinthians apparently had some questions that they had written to Paul about - questions about marriage and the like. In chapter 7:1, 25 / 8:1 / 12:1 / 16:1 / 16:12 Paul seems to refer to the things they wrong to him. It is possible that while Paul had been in Corinth, he recommended them to get married - especially with all of the promiscuity going on in the city. So they probably asked Paul, “is there anything wrong with remaining single? Or is it better to get married? Some of us think that refraining from sex is a worthy goal for a Christian of any marital status.”
Read 1 Corinthians 7:1 for Paul’s answer. What did Paul mean by “good?”
AnswerIn an ideal world or situation - Paul would recommend them not to marry. But the Corinthians were not living in an ideal world. Read vs. 2 for Paul’s advice in the Corinthians’ situation.
How did Paul change his advice? Why?
AnswerWould this advice be applicable in today’s world? Is this a good reason to get married?
AnswerIt appears that some people were so sensitive to the issue of sexual immorality that they might have asked Paul the question - “is any sex ok? Or should we become celibate?” Some might have concluded that it is more spiritual to abstain from sex.
Read 1 Corinthians 7 vs.3-6 for Paul’s answer. Is sex within marriage ok?
AnswerWhy?
AnswerOnly when three prerequisites are met may a married couple refrain from sexual relations:
1. (When both consent.)
2. (For a set amount of time.)
3. (For the purpose of prayer.)
(So would these excuses be ok?
“I’m too tired.”
“I don’t love him/her anymore.”
“You don’t deserve it.” “I’m not in the mood.”
“I have a headache.”)
What if a spouse refused to have sexual relations with his/her spouse?
AnswerWhat does Paul recognize about us in 1 Corinthians 7 vs. 5?
AnswerGalatians 5:22-23 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (NIV)
Timothy 3:1-3 1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, . . .
2 Peter 1:5-6 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control;
In light of this, what does he say about his own idea for refraining from sexual relations with your spouse?
AnswerToppe: Not even a desire to serve God better justifies the risk of sexual immorality when husband and wife suspend sexual relations. (65)
Read 1 Corinthians 7 vs. 7-9. Paul returns back to his original command. When would it be “good” for someone not to marry?
AnswerWhat does Paul call this ability?
AnswerWhy is this important for us to remember?
AnswerWhen is it wrong not to get married?
AnswerIs Paul talking about burning in hell, or burning with desire? If the latter, at what point does desire reach the stage that would be referred to as burning?
AnswerWhat if you don’t have the “gift,” but can’t find the right person?
AnswerRead 1 Corinthians 7: 10-11. What does Paul mean by, “not I, but the Lord.”?
AnswerRemember the common practice during Jesus’ day and Paul’s. Jewish husbands were ditching their wives left and right for any and every reason. Jesus told them, this is not permissable. Paul reiterates this in vs. 10. But what does he say in vs. 11?
AnswerWhat seems to be the reason for this seperation?
AnswerIs this a concession to allowing divorce?
AnswerWhat if one party didn’t want to be reconciled with the other but remained quite separate and the other could not control himself and needed a mate?
AnswerWhy does he say this?
AnswerWhat does Paul mean by “sanctified” in this case?
AnswerTitus 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. (NIV)
Luther: Faith can use all things for its purpose, whether good or bad, except unbelief and its fruits. . . . the pure, that is, the believers, can use all things in a holy and blessed way to sanctify and purify themselves. . . If this were not so, no Christian could live, for he is forced to live among evil and non-Christian people. But if he does not follow them but puts them to good use, he may live with or among them to the end that they may gain piety and become Christians. In the same way children are also holy, even though they are neither baptized nor Christians. They are not holy in themselves but are holy to you, so that your own holiness may associate with them and raise them without profaning you, just as though they were holy things. So it should be done now and at all times. Where children do not want to accept the Gospel, one should not therefore leave them or send them away but care for them and support them like the best of all Christians, commending their faith to God, so long as they are obedient b upright in all other things having to do with outward living. For parents can and should resist and punish outward evil acts and works. But nobody can resist and punish unbelief and an inwardly evil nature except God alone. Thus this text of ‘s also concerns us and strengthens us, making all things holy and pure to the believer. (28:35) (think of how Paul rejoiced at sufferings.)
Read 1 Corinthians 7: 15-16. When is it ok for the believer to be divorced? AnswerCan such a person get remarried in this case?
AnswerHow might a Christian’s sinful nature be tempted to abuse this?
AnswerWhat is the purpose in keeping this kind of marriage together?
AnswerSo what are the two reasons for divorce?
AnswerRead 1 Corinthians 7: 17-24. What point is Paul making in vs. 17, and why?
AnswerLuther: You see from this that St. Paul considers no single estate blessed except this one - the estate of being Christian; the others are free in the sense that they cannot in themselves further our salvation or damnation. (28:40)
Why would 1 Corinthians 7: vs. 18-19 be startling to a Jew?
AnswerWhat does this insinuate about all of God’s Old Testament laws?
AnswerWhat do these verses say about Paul’s view of slavery?
AnswerThis section seems to answer the question from the Corinthians - “should virgins plan to get married at this time?” This seems to have been asked because of an unknown crisis of some sort at that time and troubles that would develop. Perhaps it was a famine or a persecution that they were beginning to experience. Either way, they were enduring difficult times.
Read 1 Corinthians 7: 25-28, 32-35. What does Paul tell us about this advice which is different from his previous sections?
AnswerWhy did Paul prefer remaining single?
AnswerCan you think of a Biblical example where this rang true?
AnswerIs it sinful to have “divided interests?”
AnswerPaul reiterates this point in 1 Corinthians 7: 29-31. Read them.
What was the basic point Paul was getting at?
AnswerTwo Special Cases
Read 1 Corinthians 7: 36-38. The NIV offers a different translation. Read it. What is the difference?
AnswerToppe: As was the custom in those times, the father or a male guardian arranged the young woman’s marriage. She was not free to marry whom she pleased. Like the fiancé referred to above, the father would also be concerned about the young woman’s appropriate age for marriage. He would also have to make a deliberate decision about her marriage. In this case, too, the apostle would be expressing his preference for postponing the marriage. (74
So this could be one of three situations ~
In the second case, this daughter has no especial sexual urge to marry, and her father has no special obligation toward her due to this circumstance. Because of this, the father is able to decide the matter entirely according to his own will, since his daughter doesn’t care either way. In each case the father considers the physical make up of his daughter, and that means her desires and wishes as well. In such a case, Paul commends the second father’s ultimate decision.
What is the difficulty with the third case?
AnswerWhat is the difficulty with the first or second case?
AnswerA helpful note: “engagement” in this case may just mean betrothal and not engagement as we think of it.
Read 1 Corinthians 7: 39-40 for the second case. When is a woman free to remarry?
AnswerHow do you interpret “he must belong to the Lord?” How does KJV translate it?
AnswerWhat is the difference between the two? Which do you prefer?
Answer