It is important to understand the context. Paul has been tackling the sins in the church. Now Paul deals with some of the issues that had been sent to him in a letter. This letter we call 1 Corinthians is Paul’s reply. Living in Corinth was difficult for Christians. Corinth was immoral with marriage and divorce rife. The Greek philosophy of the day was popular and pervaded everything. The body was not seen as important by many compared to the soul. It is important to remember that this is a reply to a question, rather than all the Bible has to say about marriage. We all look at this from our own perspective. There are those who are married, divorced or single. Paul has advice for all.

1. The gift of marriage (vs. 1-2)

God has wired us with sexual needs and God has given us marriage to avoid sexual immorality. Paul is not looking down on marriage. Marriage and sex is from God and go together. It is a union of one man and woman. Anything else is immorality.

2 – The partnership of marriage (vs. 3-7)

We are to commit to our married partner physically. There is no room for abstinence and excess. There can be abstinence but it is to be short period and for a specific reason. It can leave the door open to Satan if left for too long.

3 – The permanence of marriage (vs. 8-16)

Paul writes to the unmarried, married and unyoked married. Paul suggests remaining single but if you need to be a sexual being then get married. To married people Paul forbids separation, divorce and remarriage. He is remembering some of the things that Jesus said. However, the rest of the teachings of Jesus do allow reasons for divorce for adultery. In the first century it could be for nearly anything! Jesus says no! Divorce is to be a last resort. It is not automatic with adultery. Remarriage is also permissible if a believing partner is deserted by an unbeliever.

4 – A life of contentment (vs. 17-24)

There is advice for mixed marriages. The believer and unbeliever are to stay together. There may be children and perhaps they may be saved. Paul states that if the unbelieving spouse leaves and divorces their believing spouse, the believing spouse is no longer bound (under bondage) to the marriage covenant and is therefore (by implication) free to remarry.

Categories: 1 Corinthians