“Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote:…” begins a new section of 1 Corinthians 7. The first six chapters addressed several serious issues the Corinthians themselves did not seem concerned about: divisions among them, their tolerance of a man involved with his father’s wife, and their practice of taking one another to court before civil authorities. Each of these matters brought sharp and deserved rebuke.
Yet the Corinthians had also asked questions, and Paul did not ignore them. In the following chapters (7, 8, 12, 13, and 14), he turns to answer those inquiries — questions about marriage, meats offered to idols, spiritual gifts, and more. As the saying goes, the Corinthians had more problems “than a dog has fleas.” Still, remarkably, Paul addressed them as the “church of God” (1 Corinthians 1:2). They were indeed that, though their conduct often failed to reflect it.
Chapter 7 focuses on several questions related to marriage. The first, as implied by Paul’s response, was: “Is it good for a man not to marry?” He writes, “Now concerning the things which ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.” Celibacy is not wrong; however, few are able to live in that state with contentment and happiness. When God created man and brought the animals before him, they came in male and female pairs, but man was alone. God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make a help meet for him” (Genesis 2:18), and He did. While celibacy is not the natural condition for most, it is good if one can live that way and be content.
However, most men will seek a wife, and this is not wrong. Paul acknowledges this, writing, “But because of fornication, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband” (1 Corinthians 7:2). This statement is significant, as it stands against practices accepted at the time, such as polygamy. A man is to have one wife, not multiple wives or a harem, and a woman is to have one husband. Though polygamy, like divorce for any cause, had been permitted under the law, neither reflected God’s original intent. From the beginning, God intended marriage to be between one man and one woman for life. Over time, this design was widely ignored, but Jesus called people back to that original standard (Matthew 19:3-6). Thus, when elders are required to be the “husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2), it not only implies they must be married, but also that they are not polygamists.
After establishing that marriage is a union between one man and one woman, Paul gives further instruction to married couples. Neither spouse is to “defraud” the other, except by mutual consent, and even then only for a limited time — a “season,” as Paul describes it. Afterward, they are to come together again, so that “Satan tempt you not for your incontinency” (1 Corinthians 7:3-5). Paul adds that this temporary abstinence for the sake of prayer is a concession, not a command (vv. 5-6). While he personally wished others could live as he did, he recognized that not all share the same disposition (v. 7). Many — perhaps most — will desire marriage, and that too is entirely proper.
Jim McDonald