1 Corinthians 7 - Is Celibacy Biblical?
Concerning Married Life
7 Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7 I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
Paul gets very practical here. Very practical. He urges husbands and wives to practice regular, sexual intimacy. Again notice it is between a husband and wife in marriage, which is the context for these comments. If God wanted to make known other types of sexual relationships don't you think he would have made it known to us.
There has been a fair amount of confusion over the idea of a wife yielding her body to her husband. It has been misused by men in a number of ways over centuries. But a simple reading of the passage shows that both a man and his wife are to offer their bodies in mutual submission to one another.
Paul even goes so far as to warn married couples not to abstain from sexual intimacy, except for special periods of abstinence, perhaps in relationship to fasting and prayer. I.e. Sometimes we practice abstinence and fasting during Lent. But it is never to deprive themselves but to spend that time praying and drawing near to God in a more intentional way.
Paul realizes sexual temptation is a spiritual battle, so again he advises couples to be mindful that Satan would love to ruin marriages and churches with sexual immorality. Paul confesses that he has been given the gift of celibacy, which I assume means abstaining from sexual relationships, which is obvious because he is not married. But Paul says it is a gift that some have and some don't.
Notice celibacy is a gift and a choice. In the Catholic church, priests and some nuns take on this vow. I think where there have been problems is when it has not been voluntary and this person does not have this gift.
8 Now to the unmarried[a] and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
In his letters Paul often answers questions that the church has for him. In this case those who were single and/or widowed asked how they should handle these matters. Paul says it is better to remain unmarried, but this doesn't mean in any way he is demeaning the gift of holy marriage. Paul, like many others, thought the end was near and Jesus was coming soon. He saw that people who were single had more time to give to the matters of the church and advancing the kingdom before Jesus' return.
Paul also adds the men and women should not separate if they have a difference of opinion on this matter. If either spouse should separate, then they should not remarry, but seek reconciliation if possible. Notice Paul uses the language of "separation" and not "divorce".
"This connects with the two specific grounds under which God will recognize a divorce: when there is sexual immorality (Matthew 19:3-9) and when a believing partner is deserted by an unbelieving spouse (1 Corinthians 7:15). On any other grounds, God will not recognize divorce, even if the state does. If God does not recognize the divorce, then the individual is not free to remarry – they can only be reconciled to their former spouse." - Guzik
Concerning Change of Status
17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
Paul does not teach that a Gentile male who comes to faith should be circumcised. While circumcision was a commandment in the Old Testament it was fulfilled when Jesus died on the cross and became our righteousness. The only thing that counts in regard to the Law is faith working itself in love. Perfect love of our neighbor, as Jesus exhibited fulfills the entirety of the Law.
21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
Paul teaches the Corinthians to stay put until God calls them elsewhere. He even teaches slaves to stay in obedience to their master for two reasons. One, he may lead his master to Christ. Two, he may gain favor and be released. For a slave to revolt against their master would hurt the reputation of the church.
Concerning the Unmarried
25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
Paul continues to answer the questions the Corinthians have. Paul addresses those who are single and specifically virgins. I guess this would have been the norm in his culture. Paul did not have a specific command, so this is more him giving spiritual advice as their spiritual father.
If a man and woman were engaged they were to keep their commitment to each other. Once again Paul is affirming holy marriage as a gift given from God. It's interesting that Paul advises the unmarried man to not look for a wife. Remember he is giving advice here, and we already know he has a preference for people to be untethered from the demands of marriage, so as to be free to serve the Lord.
In the end Paul is neutral on marriage. Those who marry are not sinning and visa versa. Though Paul was not married, he makes the statement that those who are married will face troubles in this life.
Anyone who is married knows that marriage is hard work. It is hard for "two sinners" to live together. But it is also a place to live out your faith in Jesus and learn how to love unconditionally. Marriage is a laboratory for love. If one has children it is a holy calling to model faith and pass on the Good News to the next generation.
29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
Paul reiterates what I just said that regardless of one's station in life, we need to realize life is short. While we should never neglect our important earthly relationships, we need to remember that Jesus is coming soon. We don't know the day or the hour, but we should be ready for him to come at anytime. If a husband and wife are on the same page spiritually, this whole process is a lot easier and visa versa.
32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
Paul reiterates, albeit a little redundantly, the pros and cons of being single or married. I do get the feeling that Paul is not very pro marriage, but I think he is honoring marriage as well as he can.
36 If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.
Paul again gets practical by saying if two unmarried people are in a relationship and wanting to have sex, they should get married. He seems to focus on the man in this paragraph, which some might object to. You have to remember Paul's context is a very patriarchal world. It is very much unlike our egalitarian society today where men and women are equal in every way.
Paul closes by saying that it is right to get married or not get married, but the man who does not marry does better. Once again Paul is showing his bias.
Here, Paul simply recognizes that when a person doesn’t have family responsibilities, they are more “free” to serve God. This was the main reason Paul considered the unmarried state preferable for himself.
Again, Paul’s reason for explaining these things is not to forbid marriage, but to put it into an eternal perspective. He isn’t putting a leash on anyone; he merely shares from his own heart and experience. Significantly, for Paul, the most important thing in life was not romantic love, but pleasing God. For him, he could please God better as single, but another may please God better as married, all according to our calling.
39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. 40 In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
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