1 Corinthians 7 — Corinthian Letter to Paul
Introduction: In this chapter Paul answered some questions that had been sent to him in a letter from the assembly of believers at Corinth. Some of Paul’s answers could be firmly supported as guidance from the Lord; while in some other instances he said he was giving opinion from his own personal perspective as an Apostle of God. He wanted his readers to know that the Lord equips believers with different gifts for service according to His purpose. Having both types of guidance mixed within this fairly long passage likely resulted in a mixed response at Corinth, as it does among believers in our time.
NOTE: All scripture is from the Bible in Basic English.
A — Serve the Lord Whether Married or Single
1 Corinthians 7 “1 Now, as to the things in your letter to me: It is good for a man to have nothing to do with a woman. 2 But because of the desires of the flesh, let every man have his wife, and every woman her husband. 3 Let the husband give to the wife what is right; and let the wife do the same to the husband… 5 Do not keep back from one another what is right, but only for a short time, and by agreement, so that you may give yourselves to prayer, and come together again; so that Satan may not get the better of you through your loss of self-control. 6 But this I say as my opinion, and not as an order of the Lord. 7 It is my desire that all men might be even as I am. But every man has the power of his special way of life given him by God, one in this way and one in that. 8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows, it is good for them to be even as I am. 9 But if they have not self-control let them get married; for married life is better than the burning of desire.”
Comments: Considering the first few sentences together, Paul was addressing questions about proper intimate male and female relationships. Stating that it is better to have nothing to do with a woman was in the sense of avoiding temptations for those like himself who wanted to remain unmarried. But for some people marriage is much better than burning with desire that can lead to immoral sexual relationships. In marriage, the husband and wife have a mutual responsibility to meet each other’s need for intimacy. Paul advised married couples not to withhold from one another what is right except by agreement such as for times of independent prayer, but to come together again so Satan will not have opportunity through loss of self-control. Paul then expressed his personal desire that all men remain single, making it clear this is not a requirement from the Lord. God has given every person the power of a special way of life with differing qualities. Recognizing that truth, Paul still gave advice to the unmarried and widows that it is good for them to remain unmarried — but if self-control is an issue, married life is better than burning with desire.
B — When Is Divorce Proper for Christians?
1 Corinthians 7 “10 But to the married I give orders, though not I but the Lord, that the wife may not go away from her husband 11 (Or if she goes away from him, let her keep unmarried, or be united to her husband again); and that the husband may not go away from his wife. 12 But to the rest I say, and not the Lord; if a brother has a wife who is not a Christian, and it is her desire to go on living with him, let him not go away from her… 15 But if the one who is not a Christian has a desire to go away, let it be so: the brother or the sister in such a position is not forced to do one thing or the other: but it is God’s pleasure that we may be at peace with one another. 16 For how may you be certain, O wife, that you will not be the cause of salvation to your husband? Or you, O husband, that you may not do the same for your wife?”
Comments: Paul now wanted his readers to know the Lord has set the standard for marriage between two believers. The wife is not to leave her husband, and she must not marry again if she is separated from him. Likewise the husband should not separate from his wife. The best ending of separation in either case is for them to be reunited. Paul then transitioned to the case when only one partner is a believer — saying this was his advice, not specific direction from the Lord. If a believer has a spouse who is not a Christian and does not want to leave the marriage, they should remain together. It is better for children to be with married parents in a peaceful home. But if the non-Christian desires to leave, the Christian is not forced to decide either way: but it is God’s pleasure that we may be at peace with one another. The Lord may use the consistent demeanor of the Christian to move the heart of the non-Christian toward faith in Christ.
C — Believers Should Live as the Lord Has Given Them Purpose
1 Corinthians 7 “17 Only, as the Lord has given to a man, and as is the purpose of God for him, so let him go on living. And these are my orders for all the churches. 18 If any man who is a Christian has had circumcision, let him keep so; and if any man who is a Christian has not had circumcision, let him make no change. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and its opposite is nothing, but only doing the orders of God is of value. 20 Let every man keep the position in which he has been placed by God. 21 If you were a servant when you became a Christian, let it not be a grief to you; but if you have a chance to become free, make use of it. 22 For he who was a servant when he became a Christian is the Lord’s free man; and he who was free when he became a Christian is the Lord’s servant. 23 It is the Lord who has made payment for you: be not servants of men. 24 My brothers, let every man keep in that condition which is the purpose of God for him.”
Comments: Paul said the Lord has given to every person their condition for Christian service, and he gave this same instruction to every church. Christians do not need to be circumcised, and those who were already circumcised when they believed in Christ are equally acceptable in the church. Following the commands of the Lord is the only thing of value. Anyone who was a servant when they became a Christian has no need for concern, but they may use the opportunity to become free if available. Christians in required servitude are free unto the Lord; and all Christians are servants to the Lord since the Lord has made payment for their life. Ephesians 6:5–8 reinforces that servants who work readily as to the Lord, and not to men, will have their reward from the Lord.
D — Remaining Single, and a Time for Marriage
1 Corinthians 7 “25 Now about virgins I have no orders from the Lord: but I give my opinion as one to whom the Lord has given mercy to be true to him. 26 In my opinion then, because of the present trouble, it is good for a man to keep as he is. 27 If you are married to a wife, make no attempt to get free from her: if you are free from a wife, do not take a wife. 28 If you get married it is not a sin; and if an unmarried woman gets married it is not a sin… 29 But I say this, my brothers, the time is short; and from now it will be wise for those who have wives to be as if they had them not; 30 And for those who are in sorrow, to give no signs of it; and for those who are glad, to give no signs of joy; and for those who are getting property, to be as if they had nothing; 31 And for those who make use of the world, not to be using it fully; for this world’s way of life will quickly come to an end.”
Comments: Paul said due to present trouble it was good for a man to remain in his current state — married or single. Marriage is not a sin for either a man or a woman, yet there are some inherent troubles within marriage. Every Christian needs to keep in mind that the time is short while still in this world, therefore keeping Christ foremost in our heart. Any gain of material things should be accepted as having minimal value, and we should not make the use of the world system a priority. This world’s way of life will come to an end, but the hope of Christians is eternal. Psalm 37:7–11 encourages waiting quietly for the Lord. Lamentations 3:24–26 says “The Lord is good to those who are waiting for him… It is good to go on hoping and quietly waiting for the salvation of the Lord.” Later in prison at Rome, Paul wrote similarly: Philippians 4:4–7 “Be glad in the Lord at all times… The Lord is near. Have no cares; but in everything with prayer and praise put your requests before God. And the peace of God, which is deeper than all knowledge, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
E — God Wants Married Couples to Care for Their Spouse
1 Corinthians 7 “32 But it is my desire for you to be free from cares. The unmarried man gives his mind to the things of the Lord, how he may give pleasure to the Lord: 33 But the married man gives his attention to the things of this world, how he may give pleasure to his wife… 35 Now I say this for your profit; not to make things hard for you, but because of what is right, and so that you may be able to give all your attention to the things of the Lord… 38 So then, he who gets married to his virgin does well, and he who keeps her unmarried does better. 39 It is right for a wife to be with her husband as long as he is living; but when her husband is dead, she is free to be married to another; but only to a Christian. 40 But it will be better for her to keep as she is, in my opinion: and it seems to me that I have the Spirit of God.”
Comments: Paul recognized that the Lord has designed a strong personal commitment between husband and wife, and he believed that could be a source of cares and stresses not typical for individuals who remain unmarried. As he closed his response to the Corinthian letter, he continued to emphasize the ever-present personal responsibilities of a married person compared with those of someone who is not married. Paul did not want his points to be taken as generally restrictive and difficult — but for one who is called to remain single, this would have personal value to assure them they could have more freedom to serve the Lord. For any man who believes he would not be doing right for the woman of his romantic interest, he should follow through with a marriage, and it is not a sin. Paul said a Christian widow could marry again, but only to a Christian. He then closed one more time saying it would be better not to be married, in his opinion — and it seemed to him that he had the Spirit of God guiding him.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, as I reviewed this chapter I found how much I need to be aware of the different circumstances believers may experience as they make service to your kingdom their ever present goal according to your purpose for them. Paul provided sufficient basic examples about being married or single, being in the undesirable vocation of a servant due to legal obligations, and the equality in your sight between Jewish and Gentile Christians. Help me, Lord, to fulfill in a manner that honors you, whatever personal responsibilities I have while in the world. I want to joyfully serve you knowing my freedom from sin was purchased through the sacrifice of Christ. John 8:34–36 “Everyone who does evil is the servant of sin. Now the servant does not go on living in the house for ever, but the Son does. If then the Son makes you free, you will be truly free.” Hallelujah, Amen!
Published 11 March 2018