1 Corinthians 7:1-9

1 Cor. 7 is critical to understanding marriage and family.  There are interesting, even exciting, and always edifying truths found here.  Some background on the marriage in the Roman Empire might be helpful.  You will see little has changed in our own day since the couple in the Garden of Eden decided to go their own way (Gen. 1:26-28; 2; 3).  In Corinth four types of marriage were recognized:

·        contubernium, meaning "tent companionship," an arrangement between slaves (who had no rights) which lasted only as long as their owner permitted.

·        usus, a form of common law marriage recognizing a couple to be husband and wife after they had lived together for a year.

·        coemptio in manum, in which a father would sell his daughter to a prospective husband.

·        confarreatio, on which the modern Christian ceremony is based being adopted by the Catholic church and used with certain Christian modifications, coming into Protestantism through the Reformation, with very few changes.

Divorce was common in Paul’s day.  It was possible for men and women to have been married twenty or more times.  Childless marriages were common as both partners were often too busy doing their own thing.  Homosexuality had become prevalent.  In the Corinthian church all of these cultural norms were present in the backgrounds of the believers (1 Cor. 6:9-11).  Ch. 5-6 indicate continuing struggles with these issues.  Some concluded that being single or celibate was more spiritual than marriage and that physical intimacy was unspiritual.  These ideas would fit some of the philosophies of the day.  

Into this mish-mash of thought and practice the Bible sheds a light for the dark path of our world.  As you read this chapter you will notice something interesting: Paul gives a combination of absolute truth as well as what he calls concession (v6).  Paul teaches what he thinks is best but there are other options.  In the end he says, I think I also have the Spirit of God (v40).  There are absolutes; and then there is the application of those absolutes.

For example, in todays passage the absolutes are, first, physical intimacy is good and necessary in marriage (v3-5); and second, physical intimacy outside of marriage is always wrong (ch. 6:12-20).  Based on this Paul applies his preference for remaining single.  He will explain his reasons later, but he also recognizes not all can do this.  Thus, because of the problem with immorality, he advises marriage as the proper decision.  This may seem to sound as though Paul had a low view of marriage; clearly this is not the case.  What he has is a high view of serving God and sees the single life as more conducive to that service.  

So if you are looking for a simple list of rules you will be disappointed.  We get clear teaching about the life that pleases God and then must follow the Spirit’s leading in application.  That, friends, is spiritual maturity!