1 Corinthians 7:1-9

Concerning the married life 1 Corinthians 7:1-9: Paul was questioned as to whether people should even marry at all. He begins, "Now I will answer the questions that you asked in your letter. You asked, "Is it best for people not to marry?" (1 Corinthians 7:1) Corinth was a city with a high divorce rate and a very low moral standard. These new Christians had to be taught that they were to only have sexual relations within the boundaries of marriage. Others that were trying to be very spiritual had to learn that you can be spiritual and at the same time have physical relationships with your spouse.

Celibacy was not a command of God. He had said, "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth." (Genesis 1:28) Marriage is the answer to the problem of immorality. Paul wrote that "to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." (1 Corinthians 7:2) In our age of open immorality Paul's instructions still fit, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.

Marriage is to be a permanent relationship. We must put the "till death you do part" back into marriage. Marriage is not to be a polygamous relationship. Marriage is a wonderful partnership where mutual needs are met. (1 Corinthians 7:3-4) Paul realized that celibacy is not for everyone. "I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn." (1 Corinthians 7:8-9) Paul saw that being single has some advantages but that being single is not for everyone.