The Way - Day 069 (1 Corinthians 7)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
1 Corinthians 7
Paul had already addressed the Corinthian church's tolerance of blatant sexual sin (1 Corinthians 5) and had urged his readers to recommit to purity within the church (1 Corinthians 6:12-20). Their open tolerance of sin endangered many others of falling into the same sins. In an effort to stimulate spiritual life in the church again, Paul wrote this letter and even answered some questions that they had asked him earlier (7:1a). Their first question surrounded the issue of marriage. Some in the church felt as if it would be better to remain single because of the moral corruption in the church as well as in the culture around them. Paul responded to this false belief saying, "It is good for a man not to touch [have sex with] a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband" (7:1b-2). Although being single may help a person stay away from certain immoral influences in the culture, Paul maintained that singleness also poses unique problems in sexual temptation. Marriage is God's only outlet for sexual fulfillment, so if a person remained single for spiritual reasons, he or she would also need to be ready to resist sexual temptation. For this reason, Paul challenged Corinthian believers to marry and then to enjoy sexual fulfillment within that marriage (7:3-4).

Some in the church may have thought that there was a place for celibacy within marriage, but Paul encourages them not to "deprive one another [of sexual fulfillment] except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control" (7:5-6). However, Paul recognized that there was also something very special about the person who chooses to remain single, as was his choice. Singleness provided freedom to serve God in a unique manner, but it was not meant for everyone - especially those who needed sexual fulfillment (7:7-9).

Paul also wrote a few words to Corinthian Christians concerning marriage and divorce (7:10-24). Some who were married to a non-believing spouse thought that they should divorce and then remain celibate or marry an individual who believes; however, Paul writes that a wife should not divorce, but if a divorce takes place, she should remain single or eventually be reunited with her husband (7:10-11). If a spouse is married to an unbeliever and he/she is willing to stay with the other, no divorce should take place (7:12-13). Why? When the unbelieving spouse remains in the marriage, he or she is blessed for the sake of the believing spouse (7:14). Paul then clarifies the behavior of a believing spouse whose non-believing spouse divorces him or her, "But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace" (7:15). There is no reason for the believing spouse to create more friction when an unbelieving spouse wants a divorce, so Paul challenges this spouse to seek peace. Ultimately, Paul wanted the Corinthian believers to be content with their current relational status, married or single (7:17-24). He then closes out this section by providing a couple reasons a person may want to stay single (virgin). First, coming persecution is easily faced when a person is single instead of having to worry about a family (7:25-27). Secondly, those who are single do not have to worry about the conflict which exists in relationships (7:28). Next, one who is single can remain more focused on God's purposes without the responsibility of a family (7:29-35). Although the next reason is hard to discern, it seems to indicate that some fathers of single daughters may have made commitments for them to remain single throughout their life, so they should respect this, if possible (7:36-38). Lastly, marriage is a lasting commitment and those whose spouse has died may be happier if they remain, according to Paul's point of view (7:39-40).

Dear God, make me discerning when it comes to issues of marriage and singleness.