Principals for Marriage

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

 

1 Corinthians 7:1-2

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. 

(ESV)

 

Marriage has been under attack for many years as evidenced by high divorce rates. In fact, society accepts people living with someone of the opposite sex without being married which makes it easy to part ways without the cost of a divorce. Of course, if there are children involved, the effect of a divorce on them must receive consideration but often children become pawns in the chess game of a failed marriage or relationship. What is different about the attack on marriage today is the very foundation of marriage between a man and a woman is under attack. Paul discusses principles for marriage in 1 Corinthians 7:1-16 but these principles only apply to marriage between a man and a woman because Paul would have found gay marriage unacceptable based on what he told the Romans in Romans 1:24-27.

 

Paul begins this discussion of principles for marriage by stating it is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman (1 Corinthians 7:1). Once again Paul condemned gay marriage in Romans 1:24-27, so he is not condoning gay marriage but abstinence. Paul then states that if someone cannot resist sexual temptation, he or she should marry so as not to sin (1 Corinthians 7:2). In marriage each spouse is obligated to give each other their conjugal rights because the husband has authority over his wife’s body and likewise the wife has authority over her husband’s body (1 Corinthians 7:3-4). This may seem like a loss of liberty but God views marriage as two becoming one flesh (Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:8) making this principle symbolic of this union. Deprivation of conjugal rights for a while is acceptable for devotion to prayer since the union of marriage is under God but they must come together to avoid temptation (1 Corinthians 7:5).

 

Paul wishes all believers were single as he was but understands some cannot exercise self-control over their bodies and should marry so they do not give in to sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 7:6-9). Paul continues and gives married people this charge from the Lord, that the wife should not separate from her husband but if she does, she is to remain unmarried or reconcile to her husband (1 Corinthians 7:10-11).

 

Paul then discusses principles for marriages between a believer and an unbeliever (1 Corinthians 7:12-16). Paul has previously cautioned the Corinthians against unequally yoked marriages in 1 Corinthians 6:14 but in a growing Church like the one in Corinth there were probably people who were married as unbelievers and now one of them has accepted Christ, but the other spouse has not. Therefore Paul offers these guidelines to them, remain married to the unbeliever as long as they consent to remain married for the believer is a witness to their unbelieving spouse. However, if the unbelieving spouse wants to leave, the believing spouse should let them go, freeing them of their marriage obligations to their spouse.

 

Paul has previously expressed his concerns over sexual immorality in the Church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 5: 6:12-20) and why he provides principles for marriage in 1 Corinthians 7:1-16 perhaps seeing the damage sexual immorality does to marriages. We see two purposes for this passage,

 

1)      The temptation of sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 7:1-11) – The temptation for sexual immorality is strong in some and damaging to one’s relationship with Christ (1 Corinthians 6:17-20). One who is married and remains loyal to his or her spouse keeps their sexual appetite under control, thus avoiding this sin that is damaging to their relationship with Christ.

2)      Guidance for unequally yoked marriages between a believer and unbeliever (1 Corinthians 7:12-16) – The Bible cautions against unequally yoked marriages between an unbeliever and a believer (1 Corinthians 6:14), but this situation is unavoidable when one spouse becomes a believer while the other remains an unbeliever. Paul’s advice is simple, remain married to the unbeliever as long as they consent to remain married for the believer is a witness to an unbeliever. However, if the unbelieving spouse wants to leave, the believing spouse should let them go so as not to live enslaved in marriage to a non-consenting unbeliever.

 

The principles offered in 1 Corinthians 7:1-16 are for the Church in Corinth and included in a letter addressed to that Church. However, they have application to believers today who live in a society where the temptation to commit sexual sin is more readily accessible. While one may not physically have sexual relations with someone other than their spouse, the temptation to look with sexual lust upon another, called a sin by Christ (Matthew 5:27-28) is readily available on one’s computer, cell phone, or tablet. Should one be unable to control their sexual desires and give into temptation, they should marry but if they do, they must focus on remaining faithful to their spouse.

 

One who is a believer and not married should seek a spouse from other believers and not purposely enter an unequally yoked marriage. However, if they are already married when they were an unbeliever, and their spouse does not become a believer they should remain married. While there is a possibility their witness as a believer could lead to the unbelieving spouse becoming a believer, there is also a possibility the unbelieving spouse will want to leave. While divorce is abhorrent to God (Matthew 19:1-12), forcing a believing spouse to remain with a nonconsenting unbelieving spouse could not only be uncomfortable for both, but unsafe spiritually and physically.

 

If you are reading this and have not prayed to accept Jesus as your savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God Challenge and bless everyone reading this post.