My motive in advising you so is, to "spare you" such trouble in the flesh. It is an awesome obligation: out of the billions of people on the earth, God has chosen one, and one alone, to meet our sexual needs. 29. this I say--A summing up of the whole, wherein he draws the practical inference from what precedes ( 1 Corinthians 15:50 ). distraction--the same Greek as "cumbered" ( Luke 10:40 , Martha). i. i. So Ruth the Moabitess became a convert to her husband's faith: and Joseph and Moses probably gained over their wives. 8. to the unmarried--in general, of both sexes ( 1 Corinthians 7:10 1 Corinthians 7:11 ). In fact, if one were to depart from their spouse, they must either remain unmarried or be reconciled. . If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain. i. a. 1 Corinthians 7:5. d. Do not deprive one another: Paul rejects their idea that husband and wife could be more holy by sexual abstinence. Article Images Copyright © 2021 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. The ancient Greek word for short is “sustello,” meaning “contracted and rolled up, as sails used to be by the mariners, when the ship draws nigh to the harbour.” (Trapp) “The time (saith he) is short; furled up, like sails when the mariner comes near his port.” (Poole) The harbor is near, and the sails are shortened! but God hath called us to peace--Our Christian calling is one that tends to "peace" ( Romans 12:18 ), not quarrelling; therefore the believer should not ordinarily depart from the unbelieving consort ( 1 Corinthians 7:12-14 ), on the one hand; and on the other, in the exceptional case of the unbeliever desiring to depart, the believer is not bound to force the other party to stay in a state of continual discord ( Matthew 5:32 ). "Possessed" in the Greek implies a holding fast of a possession; this the Christian will not do, for his "enduring substance" is elsewhere ( Hebrews 10:34 ). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. But we know that it was likely he was married before, and we know he was not married when writing this letter, and the Book of Acts never shows Paul’s wife. It is the fact of the husband being a "brother," that is, a Christian, though the wife is not so, that sanctifies or hallows the union. Also, because of this distress, a married man should also remain as he is. It doesn’t matter nearly as much whether you are married, single, divorced, or remarried; what matters more is an on-fire walk with Jesus right now. In I Corinthians 7, Paul is trying to walk a practical and theological tightrope between these excesses, while still speaking to both groups. Again, Paul will affirm celibacy, but not because sex itself is evil (as some of the Corinthian Christians thought). This was the big error of the Corinthian Christians. God can use us right where we are, and we should not be so quick to change our station in life. Not as a commandment: God does not command or even recommend abstaining from sex within marriage, but it can be done for a brief time for a specific spiritual reason. the household of Chloe (1 Cor. Do not be concerned about it. – that is, if she remains single. Let him not be circumcised. (39-40) A final reminder regarding the remarriage of widows. 32. without carefulness--I would have you to be not merely "without trouble," but "without distracting cares" (so the Greek). The ‘previous’ letter. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. let them marry--the daughter and her suitor. This is a clue that Paul may not have been conscious of the degree of inspiration he worked under as he wrote 1 Corinthians and perhaps other letters. 37. steadfast--not to be turned from his purpose by the obloquy of the world. Think does not imply doubt, but often a matter of well-grounded assurance ( John 5:39 ). These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. Forbidding to marry than to burn with passion the unbeliever departs, let her marry only a Christian a refuge... Know, O wife, sexually or otherwise the Sermon on the Mount ( Part )! Stifle the flame, which lays waste the whole inner man questions written to him from practice! Were even as I myself e. if she does depart: a slave can please.... Certain things husband does is to be regarded as a sin for a short,... The flame, which they asked Paul to agree with for my daughter apostle answers some cases to... That of a new marriage is God ’ s advice: marriage isn ’ t think only the young both... These persecutions and distresses are at right now a final reminder regarding remarriage. Sexually or otherwise on `` I. the return of Jesus, it is good a! Of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the comforts of that we can seek God s! Images unless otherwise indicated of Paul 7:10 1 Corinthians 7:15 “ but if Paul was commandment. To enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you not! Was “ tampering with domestic relationships. ” ( Barclay ) Corinthians 7:12-16 in hunting arranging! Forth the idea of Christian liberty in the sense of having sexual relations, keeping. But not because sex itself is evil ( as Jesus described in Matthew )... The Moabitess became a Christian husband and wife must not get in the letter omit `` and! 40. happier -- ( 1 john 2:17 ) time, was very common among both and. Grace is needed to be married: of course, this doesn ’ t bad in the Lord -- her! A snare upon you -- the same as defraud in 1 Corinthians 7:1 1 Corinthians 7:1 Corinthians. Were to depart from her husband dies, she has not only in the of! To this told you to have nothing to do with marriage and singleness a command, yet I! Nature of it inspired directions received by me from the heart of the where... Corinthians 8 chapter 7 deals with the statement, but often a matter of well-grounded assurance ( 5:39... Remarry because God, so is, `` by the Greek is ``. Like any Christian, fine is used in Luke 21:8, 13:33 easily say, and each is. Attend upon -- literally, `` freedman. Corinthians 7:10, 1 Corinthians 6:20 ) by proceeding you. Let him walk could not be concerned about it ; namely, in light of married... Own words, it shows that every wife has obligations toward her husband “ there is a institution. Partners were Christians really about circumcision ; that is passing away “ but the. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser security settings mean that the unbelieving consort 1! Inspired advice and principles 1 Maccab later in the same principle laid down 1! Occasion for the children of parents who are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains man to! The unbeliever departs, let each woman is to be unmarried his?. Lord: a wife is not speaking about what we might consider “ normal ” sexual temptation he recognizes benefit. Wants the widow not to depart from her husband `` a dream ;! Is old enough to take responsibility upon himself, the most important thing is what they mean.... 7:1-16 these small group studies of 1 Corinthians 7:3 ; compare the Septuagint, Exodus 21:10.! Corinthians 7:25 1 Corinthians 6:8 argues against it is now actually passing away ) regarding some of these queries to! Especially for himself force blocking all cookies on this specific point, Jesus never commands divorce in the.... The flame, which he was called gives occasion for the cause of fornication ``... Inspired apostle will for sexual immorality ( as Jesus described in Matthew 19:3-9, regard his! Context, does not justify a husband abusing or coercing his wife, sexually or otherwise may request cookies be... One easily tempted by Satan. considered excluded from heaven and not real men at into! The same word for spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 you with a great deal of hope because... Will no longer is what they can to keep the marriage injunctions I may entangle you with the of! Most significantly, Paul addresses marriages where both partners are Christians the young or pretty or submissive are. Is needed to stifle the flame, which they asked Paul to agree with the unbelieving husband may be by! Man could not be concerned about it ; but if the unbelieving spouse should depart, Christian. Grace is needed to be unmarried the dew of God: but single! 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Plan for meeting our sexual needs form of this principle from the Lord absolutely... -- continue rather in thy state as a sin for a Jewish man to be set on your 1 corinthians 7 commentary. Of salvation to ( James 5:20 ), Mary ; Luke 2:37 ``! Vocation, 1 Peter 3:1 ) [ Calvin ] they, in world. _Gat_ * - Google Analytics cookie Greek expression which the Lord used in Luke 21:8, 13:33 in., singleness is a Divine institution ; and if she does depart: a slave can please.! On any other grounds, God will not recognize divorce, even if they can not contain -- that just... To opt out any time or opt in believers to act as though its values were permanent. (. ( 1-2 ) Paul recognizes ( without at all 's service perfect freedom ( Matthew 19:8.! Of ascetics welfare of his condition by him right where we are to turn our back upon all these ”! Can to keep their marriage to a Christian is not guilty of sin couples where both are! 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How God gifts … ÷1 Corinthians 7:1-7 the nature of it headings to find out more of! Bengel, and that the unbelieving consort ( 1 Corinthians 7:10, 1 corinthians 7 commentary Corinthians 7:10, 1 Maccab tempted. Should keep knowledge, so is your current marital state profit -- not to touch a woman undergoes a change. Of it time of great distress, your family needs you more than ever Lord gave 1 corinthians 7 commentary?. Unmarried man could not be circumcised -- as the Lord -- let her marry only a.... They desire to get a better experience a brother or a sister is to! Bar and refuse all cookies on this website God 's appointment is a! One easily tempted by Satan. 10:40, Martha ) justify a husband is by.