First Corinthians 7:1-7
General Principles of Marriage
And Sexual Relations
Brian R. Kenyon

First Corinthians 7 is a tremendous chapter dealing with a tremendous, though often controversial, subject. Having a good handle on the truths taught herein will be of untold value in helping one serve God. Knowing this chapter will also help one see through the intricate web of human doctrines that cloud the issue of Scriptural marriage, divorce, and remarriage.

The chapter opens: "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me" (1 Cor. 7:1a). This indicates that Paul is responding to specific questions the Corinthians had previously asked. Although this chapter deals more with the when of marriage rather than the who, it is helpful to review key passages on marriage (such as Gen. 2:18-25; Mal. 2:11-16; Mt. 5:31-32; 19:3-9).

Remaining Single Is Scriptural, But Not Always Expedient

Paul begins the instructions of this chapter by stating that a Christian not marrying is acceptable: "It is good for a man not to touch a woman" (1 Cor. 7:1b). "Touch" in this context means more than just physical contact, but has to do with sexual relations (cf. Gen. 4:1; 20:6; Pr. 6:29). Paul's statement about the preferred state of celibacy must be considered in the context. Paul speaks elsewhere in this chapter of a "present distress" and having "trouble in the flesh" (1 Cor. 7:26, 28), which was obviously persecution related. Paul is saying that given the present situation of Christians being persecuted, it is best not to marry. Maintaining a marriage under peaceful times is hard enough, but with the added pressure of persecution, it is best not to be married. The prophet Jeremiah serves as a great illustration of this point. He lived in a time of severe persecution and was explicitly told by God not to marry (Jer. 16:1-4).

For some, however, marriage is necessary: "Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband" (1 Cor. 7:2). Since sexual desire is so strong in people and since fornication was so prevalent and acceptable in Corinth, it would be easy for one living in Corinth to be enslaved by this sin. However, since one's soul is lost in such a condition (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-10), marriage is necessary. "His own wife...her own husband" shows that marriage must be a monogamous, heterosexual relationship (cf. Gen. 23-24; Mt. 19:4-6). Paul is not saying that the lawful fulfillment of sexual desires is the only reason for marriage, as some think. Rather, he is dealing with a specific question they had asked. The total teaching of the Bible shows that in addition to the Scriptural fulfillment of sexual desires, reasons for marriage also include companionship (Gen. 2:18-20) and bearing and rearing children (1 Tim. 5:14).

These verses refute two extremes people take concerning marriage. First, based upon God's command to Adam and Eve to be "fruitful and multiply" (Gen. 1:28; 2:18), some falsely assume that people have to marry in order to please God, but Paul says remaining single is acceptable, and sometimes even preferable! Second, based upon verses 32-34 (which will be dealt with in a subsequent article), some falsely assume that marrying makes one less pure, less holy, and less suitable for serving God, but Paul says marriage is good for some (cf. 1 Tim. 4:3; Heb. 13:4). Would Paul advise one to do something that would make him or her less useful to God?

Marriage Has Obligations and Privileges

Paul first wants his readers to understand the sexual obligation that each spouse owes to the other in marriage: "Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife" (1 Cor. 7:3-4). "Due benevolence [the affection due, NKJ; fulfill...duty, NAS; conjugal rights, ESV]" means that each owes the other. In marriage, each spouse gives his or her body to the other; therefore, all sexual rights are transferred to the other. This alone argues for the inspiration of the Bible (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Paul would never have written that a husband's body belongs to his wife from his own background! Paul's society was extremely male dominant, to the point that women were often treated as mere property. Only where the Gospel has gone has a culture's respect and honor for women increased!

Second, Paul says that sexual abstinence in marriage is a privilege, but it must be mutually agreed upon and only for a limited time. "Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency" (1 Cor. 7:5). The word "defraud" means to steal, rob, or deny (cf. 1 Cor. 6:8). "To give...to fasting and prayer" shows that the purpose for consenting to sexual abstinence is for spiritual reasons. "Come together again" indicates the temporal nature of abstinence, lest one be controlled by temptation. The longer married couples abstain from sexual relations, the stronger the temptation to "incontinency," which means "lack of self control" (NKJ). Withholding sexual relations should never be used in a marriage as a tool of manipulation! There are serious consequences, not only to the marriage, but also to the eternal destiny of each spouse.

Remaining Single Is Not For Everyone

By his statement, "I speak this by permission, and not of commandment" (1 Cor. 7:6), Paul is neither binding celibacy nor marriage. "By permission [as a concession, NKJ]" is not an indication of Paul's uninspired opinion. Rather, he is giving inspired permission (1 Cor. 7:40), not a command. Paul wants all to remain single, "even as I myself," but he recognizes that all are not able, for "every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that" (1 Cor. 7:7). Paul attributes his ability to live single and self-controlled as a "gift of God," but all are not so gifted (cf. Mt. 19:11-12). This fact does not give license to sin (Rom. 6:1-2), but it does show that marriage is more necessary for some than it is for others.

God created human beings (Gen. 1:26-27), and He knows what is best for them, even in marriage. Husbands and wives must realize the seriousness of their obligations to each other in marriage, and all who read this, whether single or married, must respect God's word on this subject.