1st Corinthians Chapter 7
Paul begins with the phrase, “Now concerning matters about which you wrote…”
Paul received written communication from Corinth. We can assume they asked him several questions. The word ‘matters’ is plural, and we also see the recurring phrase, ‘now concerning.’ Paul took one topic at a time and moving down the list, gave his answers.
Keep two verses in mind. Paul called verse 10 a command from the Lord. Marriage calls for utmost devotion. (A thorough treatment of divorce is beyond the scope of this blog, but I will say a huge burden of misery, coercion, shame, and sorrow has been laid on the divorced and the unhappily married by over-zealous defense of this command. To all believers: remember to be humane about our shared humanity!! All have sinned. Don’t tell someone else their suffering is God’s will.) In verse 12 Paul made it clear that much of the rest of the chapter is his own advice- not a command from the Lord. Bear that distinction firmly in mind. Paul did not consider the remainder of this chapter as God’s immutable law.
Paul made a strong case that marriage can divide a person’s attention. Earthly obligations compete with single-minded devotion to serving the Lord. That may be, but remember we are dealing with Paul’s opinion. To be a good and caring spouse is also a godly vocation. If Paul has not spelled that out, he at least alluded to it in verse 4. Remember to be astonished that Paul put men and women on equal footing in this vision of marriage. That was a radical stance for the time.
Verse 26 is another key verse for reading this chapter. Paul says, “…in view of the coming crisis…” Paul’s assumption is the Day of Judgment was imminent. Christ would soon re-appear in glory at any moment. His advice in this chapter is all based in this assumption. Modern scholars have asked whether Paul would have written differently if he understood that twenty centuries later, Christians would still be reading his advice to the church in Corinth. Would he modify the advice “…remain in the condition in which you were called.” (vs. 20) if he knew how long the centuries would continue to unroll? Paul advocated putting all major changes on hold because he truly believed that earthly arrangements would soon become moot. It is reasonable advice based on the huge assumption that time was coming to an end.
Paul thought it would happen in his own lifetime.
It looks quite different after twenty centuries. Consider this; the premier evangelist and theologian possessed only limited understanding.
Nevertheless there is one enduring gem embedded in Paul’s opinions about marriage, sexuality, and human vows. In Verse 9, even after telling people to remain unmarried, Paul also says “…it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.”
This is a critical point, especially in the context of Paul’s opinions about remaining single and celibate. In chapter 5 Paul commented on a scandalous relationship between a man and a stepmother. Someone apparently concluded it must be better to abstain entirely from sex, thus the phrase, “It is well for a man not to touch a woman.” (verse 1) Paul did choose abstinence, but did not insist on it for all Christians.
“…it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.” Marriage has always served societies as an agreed upon social structure for sexual expression. Marriage both allows and protects. People can fulfill sexual desires in a context where no one is getting used and thrown aside. Paul is crystal clear that having this sanctioned avenue for expressing sexual desire is better than trying and failing at celibacy with all the frustration that often entails.
Paul’s recognition of the power of human desire lends strong support to the institution of marriage. Paul’s standard- that it is better to marry than burn with desire- has broad implications when applied equally to those of varying sexual orientation. Everyone benefits from clear boundaries, the social support of publicly affirmed relationships, and the agreement that strong desires can be allowed expression within a truly safe social space.
God wills us to have community support, love, companionship, equality, and respect for boundaries.
Paul begins with the phrase, “Now concerning matters about which you wrote…”
Paul received written communication from Corinth. We can assume they asked him several questions. The word ‘matters’ is plural, and we also see the recurring phrase, ‘now concerning.’ Paul took one topic at a time and moving down the list, gave his answers.
Keep two verses in mind. Paul called verse 10 a command from the Lord. Marriage calls for utmost devotion. (A thorough treatment of divorce is beyond the scope of this blog, but I will say a huge burden of misery, coercion, shame, and sorrow has been laid on the divorced and the unhappily married by over-zealous defense of this command. To all believers: remember to be humane about our shared humanity!! All have sinned. Don’t tell someone else their suffering is God’s will.) In verse 12 Paul made it clear that much of the rest of the chapter is his own advice- not a command from the Lord. Bear that distinction firmly in mind. Paul did not consider the remainder of this chapter as God’s immutable law.
Paul made a strong case that marriage can divide a person’s attention. Earthly obligations compete with single-minded devotion to serving the Lord. That may be, but remember we are dealing with Paul’s opinion. To be a good and caring spouse is also a godly vocation. If Paul has not spelled that out, he at least alluded to it in verse 4. Remember to be astonished that Paul put men and women on equal footing in this vision of marriage. That was a radical stance for the time.
Verse 26 is another key verse for reading this chapter. Paul says, “…in view of the coming crisis…” Paul’s assumption is the Day of Judgment was imminent. Christ would soon re-appear in glory at any moment. His advice in this chapter is all based in this assumption. Modern scholars have asked whether Paul would have written differently if he understood that twenty centuries later, Christians would still be reading his advice to the church in Corinth. Would he modify the advice “…remain in the condition in which you were called.” (vs. 20) if he knew how long the centuries would continue to unroll? Paul advocated putting all major changes on hold because he truly believed that earthly arrangements would soon become moot. It is reasonable advice based on the huge assumption that time was coming to an end.
Paul thought it would happen in his own lifetime.
It looks quite different after twenty centuries. Consider this; the premier evangelist and theologian possessed only limited understanding.
Nevertheless there is one enduring gem embedded in Paul’s opinions about marriage, sexuality, and human vows. In Verse 9, even after telling people to remain unmarried, Paul also says “…it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.”
This is a critical point, especially in the context of Paul’s opinions about remaining single and celibate. In chapter 5 Paul commented on a scandalous relationship between a man and a stepmother. Someone apparently concluded it must be better to abstain entirely from sex, thus the phrase, “It is well for a man not to touch a woman.” (verse 1) Paul did choose abstinence, but did not insist on it for all Christians.
“…it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.” Marriage has always served societies as an agreed upon social structure for sexual expression. Marriage both allows and protects. People can fulfill sexual desires in a context where no one is getting used and thrown aside. Paul is crystal clear that having this sanctioned avenue for expressing sexual desire is better than trying and failing at celibacy with all the frustration that often entails.
Paul’s recognition of the power of human desire lends strong support to the institution of marriage. Paul’s standard- that it is better to marry than burn with desire- has broad implications when applied equally to those of varying sexual orientation. Everyone benefits from clear boundaries, the social support of publicly affirmed relationships, and the agreement that strong desires can be allowed expression within a truly safe social space.
God wills us to have community support, love, companionship, equality, and respect for boundaries.
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