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More I Corinthians commentaries

I Corinthians 4:1-5
Whose opinion really matters?

I Corinthians 4:6-13
God is looking for genuine humility

I Corinthians 4:14-21
Discipline in Love

I Corinthians 5:1-13
Immorality Must Be judged

I Corinthians 6:1-11
Don’t Sue the Brethren

I Corinthians 6:12-20
Stay Sexually Pure

I Corinthians 7:1-11
Counsel for Christians married to Christians

I Corinthians 7:12-24
Counsel for Christians married to non-Christians

I Corinthians 7:25-40
Counsel for the Christians who are not married

I Corinthians 8:1-6
Love Is More Important than Knowledge

I Corinthians 8:7-13
Be sensitive to conscience

I Corinthians 9:1-10
The Pattern of Self-Denial

I Corinthians 9:11-18
Paul Surrenders His Rights

I Corinthians 9:19-23
Being a Servant To All Men

I Corinthians 9:24-27
Dealing with Christian liberty

I Corinthians 10:1-5
The Dangers of Overconfidence

I Corinthians 10:6-13
God Will Help You Resist Temptation

I Corinthians 10:14-22
Eating Meat Offered to Idols

I Corinthians 10:23-33
Principles that Govern Christian Liberty

Counsel for Christians married to Christians

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I Corinthians 7:1–11
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

Statistics tell us that 37% of adults over 18 are single. During the average person’s lifetime, a significant portion of their life will be spent single. Typically the first 25 years of life and perhaps the last 10-15 years will be spent as a single person. (Lou Nicholes - Missio … More

Singleness

Christians in Corinth were surrounded by sexual temptation. The city had a reputation even among the heathen for sexual immorality and religious prostitution. It was in this kind of society that Paul delivered these instructions on sex and marriage. He deals with a set of problems concerning which the Corinthian Church had written to him, asking advice.

As you read this chapter, keep in mind that Paul is replying to definite questions and not bringing an exhaustive study on marriage. This is more completely covered in Ephesians, Colossians and the letters to Timothy. Warren Wiersbe in his book, “Be Wise,” states that Paul’s counsel here is to three different groups of believers: (1) Christians who are married to Christians - (vv. 1-11), (2) Christians who are married to non-Christians (vv. 12-24), and un-married Christians (vv. 25-40).

  1. Christians who are married to Christians (vv. 1-11). Apparently one of the questions the church asked Paul was, “Is remaining unmarried more spiritual than marriage?” Not only did the church ask about singleness but they also asked about living with their spouse.
    1. It is not wrong for a man to remain single and not marry (vv. 1,7). Singleness is permitted but it is not commanded (v. 6). It seems there was a reactionary group in the church who were recommending singleness as desirable, if not obligatory.
    2. Not everyone has the gift of remaining single (vv. 7-8). Not every person is gifted with the gift of singleness. Paul apparently had the gift.
    3. Those who are married are not to live as singles (vv. 1-7).  In the Corinthian church there was a group of marrieds who thought themselves more spiritual if they refrained from sexual relations with their spouses.

Application

The Lord has said that I am to be content in whatever situation I find myself in. I am so thankful for the wonderful wife and family he has given me. Thank you, Lord!

I Corinthians 7:1-11 (English Standard Version)

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 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. 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. Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 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. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.

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