The Principles of Marriage (1)
—1Corinthians 7
In this chapter, (1Corinthians 7), Paul addressed several issues regarding marriage. The Corinthians were apparently confused about how they should view their marriages. Paul gave them 14 principles of marriage to help them in their circumstances.
Here in Part 1, We look at the first six of those principles.
1 Marriage is Permitted.
Verses 1-2
Paul was much in favour of being single and celibate provided that one could avoid temptation. He realised that immorality was rampant, so, not insisting on celibacy, he directed "each man is to have his own wife, and each woman her own husband" (vs 2).
We notice that Paul’s directive agrees with Genesis where God gave the first man a wife. The reason in Genesis was different, "Be fruitful and multiply," but the directive was the same, "They shall become one flesh". (Genesis 1:26-28, 2:24 )
So we have our first principle of marriage. Unmarried people are permitted to marry.
2 Marriage has a Mutual Obligation
Verses 3-4
The next principle contradicts the modern view that a wife has the right to decide unilaterally what will be done with her body, and likewise a husband with his. Paul, however, taught that married couples should surrender themselves, each to the other, in physical affection which they owed to each other. "Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband."(vs 3)
Some people frown upon full physical affection in marriage as fulfilling unspiritual desires. Paul, however, regards it as affection owing to a partner in marriage. In some cases this obligation cannot be met, but when it can be, then it should be.
So we have our second principle of marriage. Regarding physical affection, those who are married have a mutual obligation.
3 Marriage Reduces Temptation
Verses 5-6
Paul was willing to countenance a couple's period of abstinence from their full physical affection. That was to accompany a time of fasting and prayer. "Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, so you may devote yourselves to fasting and prayer, and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you"(vs 5).
Paul did not command this arrangement, but he permitted it, provided it was by mutual consent, and only for a short time.
Paul was concerned that the devotion to spiritual activity and neglect of the physical, would give Satan an opportunity to tempt those who lacked self control. Satan is always ready to help people to sin. We need to hinder his help. That could mean not abstaining from physical affection. There is no shame in that.
So there we have the third principle. Marriage reduces temptation, because it allows a couple to engage in full physical affection without sin.
4 Divorce is Not Permitted
Verses 10-11
Whilst many marriages go well, some fail. Out in the world, divorce is common, but for married persons in the church it is not an option. Paul wrote, "A wife must not depart from her husband. But even if she does, let her remain unmarried or otherwise be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife (vs 10&11)."
We recall that Jesus said, "What God has joined together let not man put assunder" (Mark 10:9).
If one partner to a marriage is intent on putting the couple assunder, he or she disobeys Paul’s teaching from the Lord. The married are meant to stay married as long as they both shall live —not end the marriage before death parts them.
So there is the fourth principle, Divorce is not permitted.
5 Marriage to an Unbeliever Should be Honoured.
Verses 12-13
Perhaps some of the Corinthians thought that a marriage between a Christian and an unbeliever was invalid and should be ended. Pau’s answer was straightforward. "If any brother’s wife does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. And a woman’s husband does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him" (vs 12&13).
However, if the unbeliever wants to end the marriage, the Christian may have to endure being divorced.
So there we have the fifth principle, a marriage between a Christian and an unbeliever is a valid marriage and shouldn't be dissolved.
6 Marriage Sanctifies a Family
Verses 14-16
The married couple "sanctified" each other and also their children. "The unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband"(vs 14).
Such a couple set their union apart from all the immoral and unholy unions that existed in their world. They, with their children, were a holy family. An unbeliever is quite able to make this commitment and keep it.
Paul noted that, in such a marriage and family, the believer was likely to lead the unbeliever to obey the gospel and receive that greater sanctification, salvation in Jesus Christ.
And there we have the sixth principle: marriage sanctifies the family.
Due Affection
¶ Let the husband render to his wife the affection due to her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. (1Corinthians 7:3).