Marriage 7:1-40
The Corinthians divided on the key issues regarding physical relationships. Paul addressed the hedonists in the previous chapter. The other group believed an abundant spiritual life mandated depriving physical desires, they believed in celibacy. Paul encourages marital sexual relations over sexual sin by preventing Satanic temptation. This message carries extra-weight in Corinth, a city known for sexual immorality. Paul clearly states that his encouragement of marriage "is a concession, not a commandment," in other words a recommendation for those with strong sexual desires.
Paul continues with the various scenarios of divorce regarding believers and unbelievers. Given the immorality and "free for all" mentality, the Corinthians certainly faced every imaginable situation and included them with their questions to Paul. Paul fails to address the scenario of a believer divorcing a believer when one party opposes the divorce, unless one assumes that anyone seeking divorce is an unbeliever. This seems highly doubtful. Paul recognized that forthcoming Christian persecution would make married life exceptionally difficult, thus his discouragement of marriage for virgins if one could control their sexual desires.29
Paul reiterates that singleness is a recommendation, as opposed to a command. Paul concludes with stating that he has the Spirit of God who enables him to speak with wisdom and provides the apostolic authority.
See Christ, Believe Christ, Achieve with Christ!
Rick E. Meyer
See, Believe, Achieve Inc.
(Radmacher, Allen and House 1999, 1469-1471)
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