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| Chapter 7 |
| Bible Text | Notes and Thoughts |
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1 ¶ Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence, 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, unless it be with consent for a time only, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not through your lack of self restraint. 6 But I speak this by permission, and not by commandment. 7 For I would that all men were even as I myself am. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one in this manner and another in that. 8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I. 9 But if they cannot contain themselves, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn. 10 ¶ And unto the married I command (yet not I, but the Lord): let not the wife depart from her husband. 11 But if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband. And let not the husband put away his wife. 12 But to the rest I speak (not the Lord): if any brother hath a wife who believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13 And the woman who hath a husband who believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband. Else your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving spouse depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases, for God hath called us to peace. 16 For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? 17 ¶ But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all churches. 18 Is any man called, being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called, being uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and un circumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Let every man abide in the same calling as when he was called. 21 Art thou a servant when called? Be not concerned; but if thou mayest be made free, then make use of it. 22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman; likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. 23 Ye are bought with a price; be ye not the servants of men. 24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. 25 ¶ Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord, yet I give my judgment as one who hath obtained mercy from the Lord to be faithful. 26 I suppose therefore that in this present distress, I say, it is good for a man so to be. 27 Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife. 28 But if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such people shall have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you. 29 But this I say, brethren: the time is short. It remaineth that those who have wives should be as though they had none; 30 and those who weep, as though they wept not; and those who rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and those who buy, as though they possessed not; 31 and those who use this world, as not abusing it. For the fashion of this world passeth away. 32 But I would have you be without cares. He that is unmarried careth for the things which belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord; 33 but he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. 34 There is a difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit; but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 And this I speak for your own profit, not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and so that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. 36 ¶ But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age and need so require, let him do what he will--he sinneth not: let them marry. 37 Nevertheless, he that standeth steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. 38 So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well, but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better. 39 ¶ The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth. But if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will, but only in the Lord. 40 But in my judgment she is happier if she so remain, and I think also that I have the Spirit of God. |
The Corinthian church members had sent Paul some questions, so in the next few chapters he answers them. Paul is answering definite questions and not necessarily giving full doctrine on the subject, you must also look at other Biblical text on the subject. Verses 6,10,12,25. In this chapter Paul does not claim direct divine instruction, instead he appears to be taking the information from what Jesus taught while on earth. Matt 19:1-12; Matt 5:31-32; Mark 10:1-12; Luke 16:18. Though some questions do not appeared to have been dealt with by Jesus, Paul felt that he was giving an answer according to God’s Will. Christian marriage. v1-11 Christian married to another Christian. It appears that one of the questions asked was "Was it better to be unmarried than married, is it more spiritual." Paul’s reply was that not being married is no better than being married but because of personal desires marriage may be necessary, in addition, God originally planned one man to one woman marriage Gen 2:18. However, they must not misuse the sexual love that is normal for a marriage, v2. One purpose of marriage is to stop fornication, v2, it also shows that God does not approve of polygamy (multi wife) marriages or homosexual marriages. Being unmarried and celibate (have no sexual relationships) may be the Will of God for some people v7, but it is no more spiritual than marriage. v5 We must remember that our bodies are the Temple of God and He may call us to a time of worship so giving up the loving, sexual side of marriage for a period. But it must be by both agreeing, or it might risk one partner seeking sexual fulfilment outside marriage. In verses 8,9 Paul now turns to single believers and widows, it is good to remain single but if you need a personal relationship and sexual needs then marry to prevent sin. v10,11 The next question concerns divorce. Jesus dealt with this question, see earlier /references above and verse 1 Cor 7:39. If divorce does occur then the people should remain unmarried or get back together again. Jesus did make one exception, that was if one partner was guilty of fornication, this was grounds for divorce, but, if possible, the marriage should be saved. v12-24 Divorce and rules for Christians married to non Christians. It appears, and as happens today, that were some members of the church who had been converted but not their partners. This may have been causing problems in the home. Paul’s reply was that salvation does not alter the marriage state, in fact in may make it better. v14. Note this does not teach that the unsaved partner is saved by a believing partner (salvation is by a personal acceptance only). The presence of God in the believer could help the partner and family find Christ. v14 If the salvation of one partner annulled (cancelled) a marriage then the children would become illegitimate (unclean). v15-17 If the unbeliever chose’s to leave the believer then let it happen. Paul continues, even though we are one in Christ each believer should remain as they were before salvation. v20 The circumcised should not try to become uncircumcised, v18,19. (remove the physical marks of the Jewish Covenant) or uncircumcised become circumcised. v21-24 Servants should not demand freedom from a Christian master just because they are "one body" in Christ, however, Paul did encourage slaves to try to purchase their freedom. v25-31 Married verses unmarried. What about the unmarried women in the church? Jesus did not give any teaching on this subject so Paul, not having received any instructions on the subject from the Lord, v25 gives his own judgement. It appears that there may have been some problems v26, the world was changing v31, they thought the Lord was about to return, v29. On this basis it would be better to remain unmarried. v32-35 Responsibilities with marriage. It is always difficult for two people to live together without problems of some sort, the demands of marriage, the partner, the setting up of the home, demands of children, these mean that a married person will have less time for the Lord, and those who are unmarried will find it easier to spend their time for the Lord. However, all things are controlled by God, so if a couple, considering marriage, seeks His Will on the marriage, He will indicate if is right and bless them. Will it help or hinder your ministry for the Lord? Will the future partner wish to serve the Lord to the same level? v36-38 Each situation is different. We must remember that in the days of Paul marriages were often arranged by the parents. It is possible that this passage is talking about a couple who are "betrothed" (engaged). Under this situation Paul suggests that it is better to remain unmarried but if the woman is getting on "pass the flower of her age" and the man feels he should marry her, then go ahead, it is not wrong. v39,40 Paul tells the widows that they are free to remarry but "only in the Lord." They must not only marry a believer but make sure it is God’s Will for them. Marriage is a very important step, it must not be entered lightly. A married couple can grow together and discover the joy of serving the Lord together. Marriage is for life, Jesus did give a situation where divorce was possible but divorce must be the last choice for it is contrary (opposite) to God’s plan for a man and woman. |
Easy English Translation
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