Things to keep in mind concerning this study.
1. This is NOT a comprehensive, all-inclusive teaching about marriage.
Paul is answering very specific questions they had concerning marriage.
It should all be viewed through what the rest of the Bible says about marriage.
This study should be applied using the principles found in: Ephesians 5; Colossians 3; 1 Peter 3.
2. This passage does NOT directly address the difficulties of abusive relationships or controlling spouses.
3. This passage does NOT directly deal with the difficulties of one or both spouses being victims of emotional or sexual abuse from the past.
4. This passage is NOT God’s only teaching concerning marriage.
It is unwise to try to make this passage God’s final and only word concerning marriage.
5. ALSO- There seems to be a special situation about why the Corinthians were asking these questions. (See verse 26). There were extenuating circumstances.
I. Marriage-God’s Design For Sexual Fulfillment Vs. 1-9
A. Singleness
1. Vs. 1, 8 Good- many definitions, including “approved”, “admirable”, “honorable”, and “good, excellent in its nature and characteristics, therefore well adapted to its end”.
a. It seems that they had asked Paul if was okay to remain single. Paul said “yes”.
b. Paul is saying, “If you are content to be single, then that’s good and acceptable”.
2. V. 7 Paul said that contentment with singleness is a gift. It is not for everyone.
a. Jesus taught that singleness is not for everyone.
b. Matthew 19:8-12 8He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”
10His disciples said to Him, “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.”
11 But He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: 12 For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.”
B. Marriage
1. V. 2 Corinth was a sexually saturated and permissive city. Much sexual temptation.
a. One of the blessings of marriage is a God ordained outlet for sexual desire.
b. “Own husband, own wife”– Speaks of a single spouse. No polygamy.
2. Vs. 3-5 It is easy for a person to focus on what they sexually receive from their spouse, but there is also a God ordained responsibility to think of their spouse in this regard.
a. Sex is never to be used as leverage or a bargaining chip against a spouse.
b. V. 3 Render-to give away for one’s own profit what is one’s own.
c. It is natural to be selfish with our own bodies, but this is wrong in marriage.
d. In that culture especially, not rendering would increase sexual temptation for a spouse
e. Abstinence should occur only by mutual agreement, for the purpose of seeking God.
f. Doddridge- Let them not imagine that there is any virtue in living separate from each other, as if they were in a state of celibacy.
3. V. 6 Wuest- “I say this as an option, or a concession, not as a command”.
a. Living Bible- “I’m not saying you must marry, but you certainly may if you wish.
b. Marriage is a may, not a must. Some may think that “normal” is to be married.
4. V. 9 If someone didn’t have the gift of singleness, then marriage was a God given better choice, rather than trying to resist natural desires and the sexual temptation that was
rampant in Corinth. Better to face “the present distress” with a life partner
a. Burn- pyroo- pir-rah’-oh. To be inflamed with sexual desire.
b. Some people just feel the heat; other burn, and sexual temptation is greater.
II. Commitment In Marriage Vs. 10-16
A. Stay With Your Spouse Vs. 10-14
1. V. 10a These words were said by Jesus regarding staying committed in marriage.
a. Jesus taught that unfaithfulness is grounds for divorce, but it doesn’t have to be.
2. V. 10b Depart- to either separate or divorce. The word means both things.
a. A Christian spouse’s first intention should be to stay together in the relationship.
3. V. 11 Sometimes divorce needs to happen. The Christian has two choices.
a. 1-Stay unmarried and hope for eventual reconciliation. No dating; instead, waiting.
b. 2-If the unrepentant spouse remarries, then the innocent spouse is free to marry.
c. The marriage has been terminated by the other party. There is freedom to re-marry.
B. When Married To An Unbeliever Vs. 12-14
1. V. 12a These words were not quoted from Jesus, but Paul spoke them under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
a. V. 12b, 13 If a non-Christian spouse is willing to live with their Christian spouse, then the Christian should not try to dissolve that marriage.
2. V. 14 Sanctified-The word means “set apart”, but certainly not set apart for salvation by virtue of being married to a Christian.
a. The Christian spouse brings Jesus into the marriage. There is a holy atmosphere that is created to some degree by the presence of Jesus in the Christian’s life.
b. There is a holiness that is brought into the lives of the children that they would not otherwise have.
c. Don’t think that you would be closer to God if you could just divorce your unbelieving spouse. God would desire that you stay and bring Jesus to them.
C. When To Let Your Spouse Go Vs. 15, 16
1. V. 15 Sometimes an unbelieving spouse wants to leave. The Christian is not obligated to keep the marriage relationship intact at all costs. Sometimes better to let them go.
a. V. 15b God has called us to peace. A Christian may try to keep the marriage intact when, there is no hope for the marriage until the unbelieving spouse repents.
b. The “success” of the marriage isn’t up to the Christian spouse. A Christian spouse may take on a burden and responsibility that God has never called them to take on.
c. God has called to live in peace. Sometimes we have to let people go.
2. V. 16 The Christian may think that their spouse won’t be saved unless they stray in the marriage. It is a godly desire to see a spouse saved, but it is presumptuous to think that
God can only use you. Sometimes God can get to them better without you.
3. It is good for a Christian spouse to have the hope that their presence will influence their unbelieving spouse to come to Jesus.
4. 1 Peter 3:1, 2 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.