Lesson for June 5, 2022
The Book of I Corinthians
Chapter 7:1-20
Verses 1-4
“Now as to the matters of which you wrote: It is good (beneficial, advantageous) for a man not to touch (have relations with) a woman [outside marriage]. But because of [the temptation to participate in] sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. The husband must fulfill his [marital] duty to his wife [with good will and kindness], and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have [exclusive] authority over her own body, but the husband shares with her; and likewise, the husband does not have [exclusive] authority over his body, but the wife shares with him.”
Believers in Corinth had written Paul about the subject of fidelity in marriage. Remember, morality is not spirituality, but spirituality very much includes morality. A believer cannot be an immoral person and properly represent Jesus Christ at the same time.
A husband must give of himself in marriage, and it begins with how he thinks. This means that no man can be a good husband until he eliminates such things as jealousy, envy, pride, hatred, and revenge from his thinking. If a husband is jealous of his wife, and criticizes and maligns her, he will never get the response from his wife that makes love wonderful. A woman must be loved mentally, protected, and cherished day by day. If she is, her husband will receive a positive response from her. The obligation and the responsibility of a man begins with his attitude. When a wife responds to her husband, mentally and/or physically, she becomes “the glory of the man” (brings honor to him) according to I Corinthians 11:7.
The wife does not have [exclusive] authority over her own body, but the husband shares with her; and likewise, the husband does not have [exclusive] authority over his body, but the wife shares with him. A godly marriage is to be a connection of body and soul, not a competition to see who can out do the other. Each partner has something to give to the other, and each finds fulfillment in the other if they are both living in accordance with the principles of Scripture. It’s a give and take relationship.
Verses 5-7
“Do not deprive each other [of marital rights], except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves [unhindered] to prayer but come together again so that Satan will not tempt you [to sin] because of your lack of self-control. But I am saying this as a concession, not as a command. I wish that all the people were as I am; but each person has his own gift from God, one of this kind and one of that.”
Spiritual growth provides the ultimate in the relationship of marriage. Without the spiritual factor, marriage can be a bitter and horrible experience. Stop depriving one another means so much more than physical intimacy. Never deprive your marriage partner love or the expression of your love.
Except perhaps by mutual consent for a time means that the proper expression of true love is a mental attitude which requires a lot of concentration. Studying God’s Word and prayer also require a lot of concentration. So, there must be an agreement in the home that their mutual love will not interfere with their spiritual grow by neglecting such things as prayer and Bible study. You must not do anything that would hinder your spouse from their spiritual development and their relationship with the Lord. There must be agreement in the home between two believers that a certain amount of time will be spent developing a spiritual life. The sexual relationship in marriage, though secondary to your spiritual lives, is necessary in order to avoid the temptation to engage in immorality.
But I am saying this as a concession, not as a command refers to Paul’s next statement which is I wish that all the people were as I am; but each person has his own gift from God, one of this kind and one of that. A concession is a preference as opposed to a command. Paul was single and had more time to concentrate on his ministry. He was saying that this would be his preference but not everyone can remain single and avoid being overcome by sexual desire. It is God’s will that some believers remain single. Therefore, He provides for those who are single in other ways than marriage so they can have great happiness, as well as great divine production. The advantage in serving the Lord in single status is simply the advantage of more time to devote to it without the responsibilities of marriage. Either way, we are all to live our lives as unto the Lord!
Verses 8-11
“But I say to the unmarried and to the widows, [that as a practical matter] it is good if they remain [single and entirely devoted to the Lord] as I am. But if they do not have [sufficient] self-control, they should marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. But to the married [believers] I give instructions—not I, but the Lord—that the wife is not to separate from her husband, (but even if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to her husband) and that the husband should not leave his wife.”
The Bible must be interpreted in the time it was written, and the life of these believers was already difficult under Roman rule. And it was going to get much worse. This was perhaps another reason Paul encouraged those who were single to remain so. In those trying times, they would only add to their difficulties by having a spouse and family to care for. But, if a single person could not control their sexual desires, Paul recommended marriage to avoid sexual immorality. Burn with passion means to burn with desire.
I give instructions—not I, but the Lord. Paul was an apostle with spiritual authority. He was writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so these are divine instructions. But the Lord means Paul was on a subject which was taught by Jesus while He was on earth. So, Paul was speaking based on what was revealed to him by the Holy Spirit regarding the teachings of Christ. It has always been the policy of God that a husband and wife remain married. It is also God’s policy that believers marry only other believers and for both to live the Christian life as a couple. Because this did not always occur due to the stubbornness or rejection of truth, God allowed Moses in the Old Testament to institute divorce. (Matthew 5:31-32, 19:5-8; Mark 10:2-12; Deuteronomy 24:1-4)
Verses 12-14
“To the rest I declare—I, not the Lord [since Jesus did not discuss this]—that if any [believing] brother has a wife who does not believe [in Christ], and she consents to live with him, he must not leave her. And if any [believing] woman has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his [believing] wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is they are holy.”
To the rest I declare—I, not the Lord [since Jesus did not discuss this]—that if any [believing] brother has a wife who does not believe [in Christ], and she consents to live with him, he must not leave her. Now Paul addressed the subject of Christians married to non-Christians. Some Corinthian believers wanted to know if they were to remain married to unbelievers or does marriage to an unbeliever defile a believer? Not the Lord does not deny inspiration of Scripture but only indicates that Jesus did not speak to this issue while He was on earth. Jesus did not cover in detail the subject of divorce while on earth but did say that it (divorce) was not God’s desire from the beginning (when He instituted marriage in the Garden of Eden). If a believer has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she says that she is willing to live with him, then he is not to divorce her. The same is true if a believer has an unbelieving husband. Paul says that marriage to an unbeliever does not change the nature of marriage when one of them becomes a Christian. They should remain married even if one has not yet become a believer. If an unbeliever wants to remain married to a believer, then they should remain married.
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his [believing] wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is they are holy. The key word in this passage is sanctified, which means set apart. In a marriage where one is a believer, and one is an unbeliever, the family is still able to be blessed by association with the believing spouse. Of course, it is important that the believer in the relationship is living their spiritual life as a testimony to their unbelieving spouse and to their children. The idea that the children would be “unclean” (spiritually) simply means they would not have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and there would be no testimony for Christ in the home. So, staying married to an unbeliever can be a positive if the children are allowed to hear the Gospel and be taught God’s Word. Timothy was a great example of this in the Bible. (II Timothy 1:5, 3:15)
Verses 15-16
“But if the unbelieving partner leaves, let him leave. In such cases the [remaining] brother or sister is not [spiritually or morally] bound. But God has called us to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband [by leading him to Christ]? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife [by leading her to Christ]?”
But if the unbelieving partner leaves, let him leave. Unbelievers are not governed by instructions from God. Therefore, if they choose to leave a marriage to a believer, then a believer has no obligation to persuade them to stay. However, God always prefers believers to settle any issues in a peaceful manner. There is the possibility that an unbeliever can be won to Christ by the testimony of a believing spouse. (I Peter 3:1-6)
Verses 17-20
“Only, let each one live the life which the Lord has assigned him, and to which God has called him [for each person is unique and is accountable for his choices and conduct, let him walk in this way]. This is the rule I make in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his calling [from God already] circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called while uncircumcised? He is not to be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was [when he was] called.”
Only, let each one live the life which the Lord has assigned him. When a believer is in a marriage with an unbeliever, or a believer who is negative toward God and Bible doctrine, they should remain faithful to God and continue to advance in the Christian life. By doing this they are walking in the manner which God has “assigned” them to walk. A believer’s “walk” refers to their spiritual life and will be observed by an unbelieving spouse, and that testimony may win them to Christ according to I Peter 3:1-2.
Was anyone at the time of his calling [from God already] circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called while uncircumcised? He is not to be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is keeping the commandments of God. Circumcision was used by Paul to illustrate the principle of staying married and not divorcing when one spouse becomes a believer. A person who was a Gentile was to remain uncircumcised because circumcision was part of the Law of Moses and no longer valid in the Church Age. The same principle applied to a Jew who became a believer – remain circumcised. What matters to God after salvation is keeping the commandments (doctrine) of God. Whether a person was married or single before salvation should have no bearing on their life as a believer. (Galatians 6:15)