Bible Study/Commentary
Overview
1 Corinthians Chapter 7 contains Paul's response to certain matters raised by the Corinthians about marriage, celibacy, divorce, and remarriage.
He also addresses issues related to marriages, between a believer and a non-believer, and the status of those who are unmarried or widowed.
Bible Study/Commentary
Verses 1-9: On Marriage and being unmarried
Paul responds to a statement about it being good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman, that was asked by the Corinthians.
He acknowledges the value of celibacy but also recommends marriage as a safeguard against sexual immorality.
He instructs spouses to not deprive each other sexually, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time for prayer.
For those who are unmarried and widows, Paul says it is good for them to remain unmarried, like he is, but if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry.
Verses 10-16: On Divorce and Mixed Marriages
Paul states that it is the Lord’s command, that a wife should not leave her husband, and a husband should not divorce his wife.
To the rest, Paul says, if a believer has a non-believing spouse who is content to live with them, they should not divorce.
He reasons that the unbelieving spouse is made holy through the believing spouse.
However, if the unbelieving partner leaves, the believer is not bound and should live in peace.
Paul encourages them with the thought that the believing spouse might save the unbelieving one.
Verses 17-24: Remain in the state in which you were, when you became a believer
Paul instructs the believers to lead the life that the Lord has assigned to them, and in which, God has called them.
This rule he applies to all the churches.
He uses the examples of circumcision and slavery to illustrate this point.
Whether circumcised or not, a slave or a free person, what really matters, is keeping the commandments of God.
Verses 25-40: On Virginity, Widows, and Marriage
Paul said that he has no direct command from the Lord but offers his opinion.
He advises, that because of the present distress, it is good for a person to remain unmarried.
He extends this advice to those who are bound to a wife, those who are not bound to a wife, those who have never been married, and widows.
While he acknowledges the legitimacy of marriage, he points out the undivided devotion to the Lord that being unmarried can offer.
He affirms that both marriage and being unmarried are good, but encourages the Corinthians to seek to live in a way that is pleasing to the Lord without distraction.
Overall Summary:
1 Corinthians Chapter 7 is primarily focused on matters of marriage, being unmarried, divorce, and remarriage, providing detailed teachings on these subjects.
Paul discusses the sanctity of marriage, the circumstances under which divorce is permissible, and the value of being unmarried, for the sake of undivided devotion to the Lord.
He also encourages believers to remain in the state in which they were called, underscoring that it is godly living that truly matters.
1 Corinthians 7
Principles for Marriage
7 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.
12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Live as You Are Called
17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
The Unmarried and the Widowed
25 Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. 26 I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. 29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.
36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. 37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. 38 So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.
39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
Q&A
1 Corinthians 7:1
Q1: What did Paul say regarding it being good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman?
A1: Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman."
1 Corinthians 7:2
Q2: What advice did Paul give regarding avoiding sexual immorality?
A2: But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.
1 Corinthians 7:3
Q3: What does Paul say about the husband's and wife's authority over each other's bodies?
A3: The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband.
1 Corinthians 7:4
Q4: How does Paul describe the wife's authority over her body?
A4: For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
1 Corinthians 7:5
Q5: What does Paul say about depriving each other of conjugal rights?
A5: Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
1 Corinthians 7:6
Q6: What does Paul say about his advice being concession, not a command?
A6: Now as a concession, not a command, I say this.
1 Corinthians 7:7
Q7: What does Paul say about his wish for all to be as he is?
A7: I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
1 Corinthians 7:8
Q8: What does Paul say about the unmarried and widows?
A8: To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am.
1 Corinthians 7:9
Q9: What does Paul say about marrying if self-control is lacking?
A9: But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
1 Corinthians 7:10
Q10: What instruction does Paul give to those who are married?
A10: To the married, I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband.
1 Corinthians 7:11
Q11: What does Paul say about a wife separating from her husband?
A11: (But if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.
1 Corinthians 7:12
Q12: What does Paul say to those who are married to unbelievers?
A12: To the rest, I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.
1 Corinthians 7:13
Q13: What does Paul say about a wife who has an unbelieving husband?
A13: If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him.
1 Corinthians 7:14
Q14: What does Paul say about the sanctification of the unbelieving spouse?
A14: For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
1 Corinthians 7:15
Q15: What does Paul say about the response to an unbelieving spouse wanting to leave?
A15: But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases, the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.
1 Corinthians 7:16
Q16: How does Paul describe the potential influence of a believer on an unbelieving spouse?
A16: For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
1 Corinthians 7:17
Q17: What does Paul say about the various conditions believers find themselves in?
A17: Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.
1 Corinthians 7:18
Q18: What does Paul say about circumcision and uncircumcision?
A18: Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.
1 Corinthians 7:19
Q19: What does Paul say about keeping the commandments of God?
A19: For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
1 Corinthians 7:20
Q20: What does Paul advise about one's condition when called?
A20: Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.
1 Corinthians 7:21
Q21: What does Paul say about becoming a slave when called?
A21: Were you a slave when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.)
1 Corinthians 7:22
Q22: What does Paul say about the value of being a slave or free?
A22: For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise, he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.
1 Corinthians 7:23
Q23: What does Paul say about the price paid for believers?
A23: You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.
1 Corinthians 7:24
Q24: How does Paul advise about one's condition when called?
A24: So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
1 Corinthians 7:25
Q25: What does Paul say about the virgins?
A25: Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.
1 Corinthians 7:26
Q26: What does Paul say about the present distress?
A26: I think that in view of the present distress, it is good for a person to remain as he is.
1 Corinthians 7:27
Q27: What does Paul say about being bound to a wife?
A27: Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
1 Corinthians 7:28
Q28: What does Paul say about those who marry facing worldly troubles?
A28: But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that.
1 Corinthians 7:29
Q29: What does Paul say about the appointed time being short?
A29: This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none,
1 Corinthians 7:30
Q30: How does Paul advise those who mourn, rejoice, buy, or deal with the world?
A30: and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods,
1 Corinthians 7:31
Q31: What does Paul say about the form of this world passing away?
A31: and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
1 Corinthians 7:32
Q32: What does Paul say about being anxious about worldly things?
A32: I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:33
Q33: How does Paul describe the married man's concern?
A33: But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife,
1 Corinthians 7:34
Q34: What does Paul say about the unmarried woman and the virgin being concerned about the things of the Lord?
A34: and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.
1 Corinthians 7:35
Q35: What does Paul say about the benefit of being unmarried?
A35: I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:36
Q36: What does Paul say about a man's desire toward his virgin daughter?
A36: If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin.
1 Corinthians 7:37
Q37: What does Paul say about the man who stands firm in his heart?
A37: But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well.
1 Corinthians 7:38
Q38: What does Paul say about the one who gives his virgin daughter in marriage?
A38: So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.
1 Corinthians 7:39
Q39: What does Paul say about a wife being bound as long as her husband lives?
A39: A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 7:40
Q40: What does Paul say about being happier if a widow remains as he is?
A40: Yet in my judgment, she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.