1 Corinthians 7:1 - Meaning and Application

The apostle now answers some questions of conscience that the Corinthians had sent him. They had written to him about these matters (1 Corinthians 7:1), and Paul was ready to give them clear guidance. As ministers should hold on to true knowledge, so people should ask God’s law from them.

In the previous chapter, he warned them to avoid sexual sin. Here he gives directions about marriage, which God has appointed as the proper remedy for that sin. He begins with a broad point, then explains it carefully.

First, he says that, at least in that present time, it was good for a man not to marry a woman, that is, not to take a wife. He does not mean that celibacy, or remaining unmarried, is always holier than marriage. Some people have taken that too far, and Paul’s wider teaching does not support that view. Rather, he means that, apart from other circumstances, there are advantages in remaining single, and at that time the church’s distress made singleness especially useful, if a person had the gift of self-control and could remain pure.

His words may also warn believers to avoid every kind of occasion that stirs up sinful desire. Christians must flee fleshly lusts and whatever feeds them. They should not carelessly place themselves near temptation.

Second, Paul says that marriage, with its proper comforts and duties, is God’s wise provision to prevent sexual sin (1 Corinthians 7:2). To avoid all kinds of lawless lust, let every man have his own wife and every woman her own husband. That means they should marry and keep to their own spouse.

When they are married, each should give the other what is due in marriage (1 Corinthians 7:3). They should consider each other’s needs and provide marital duty, which belongs to both. Paul explains (1 Corinthians 7:4) that in marriage neither husband nor wife has full control over his or her own body. Each has, in a sense, given that right to the other. So polygamy, marriage to more than one person, as well as adultery, breaks the marriage covenant and violates the spouse’s rights.

For that reason, husband and wife should not withhold themselves from each other, or refuse the comforts of married life, except by mutual agreement (1 Corinthians 7:5). Even then, it should only be for a time, and for special seasons of devotion, such as prayer and fasting. Times of deep humility may call for abstaining from lawful pleasures. But this separation must not last too long, or they may be exposed to Satan’s temptations because they cannot control themselves. People put themselves in danger when they try to do more than God requires and more than they are able. If they deny themselves lawful comforts, they may be drawn into unlawful ones. God’s own remedies against sinful desires are always best.

Third, Paul limits what he has said about marriage (1 Corinthians 7:2). He says, “I speak this by permission, not by command.” He is not commanding every man to marry. Anyone may marry, and God does not forbid it. But neither does God command every man to marry so that he sins if he does not, unless his situation makes marriage necessary to guard against lust. In this matter, God leaves people with a good measure of freedom.

Paul adds that he could wish all men were as he was (1 Corinthians 7:7), that is, unmarried and able to live faithfully in that state. There are real benefits in such a life, especially in the present distress. A mark of true goodness is to wish others as well off as we are. But God has not given everyone the same control over natural desire. Each person has his own gift from God, one in one way and another in another way. Human nature differs, and grace differs too. Some receive greater strength to master desire than others.

Paul could wish all men were like him, but not everyone can live that way. Only those to whom God gives it can receive such a calling (Matthew 19:11). God’s gifts in both nature and grace are distributed in different ways. Some have them after this manner, and some after that.

Fourth, Paul sums up his advice to the unmarried and the widows, meaning those who are single or whose husbands have died (1 Corinthians 7:9, 10). It is good for them to remain as he was. There are many advantages in a single life, especially in that time, and for that reason it may be better than marriage for some people. This plainly shows that Paul was unmarried at the time.

But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry, for it is better to marry than to burn. This is God’s appointed remedy for lust. He has provided the way to calm that fire. And marriage, with all its burdens, is far better than being consumed by impure desire. Marriage is honorable for all, but it is especially necessary for those who cannot remain self-controlled.