Advice on Marriage
introduction
In 1 Cor 7, Paul begins to address questions that the Corinthians had previously written to him. In this chapter, Paul focuses on their questions regarding marriage. The key to much of what Paul here writes is found in v. 26, where he addresses them, "in view of the present distress."
addressing the text
In vs. 1-7, Paul writes to them about their obligations to one another as spouses. In vs. 8-16, he addresses three groups in particular: (a) vs. 8-9 is addressed to the unmarried, (b) vs. 10-11 are written to the married, and (c) in vs. 12-16 he writes to those Christians who are married to unbelieving spouses. Then in vs. 17-24, Paul encourages them to continue serving God in whatever station they were called (i.e. circumcised, enslaved, etc). Finally, in vs. 25-40, Paul gives special instruction concerning virgins and widows.
There are a few things that must be noted about Paul's seemingly dismal view of marriage in this chapter. Paul himself said in his letter to Timothy that there would be those who will fall away from the faith "who forbid marriage" (1 Tim 4:1-3). In that letter he also encourages younger widows to get married, bear children, and keep house (1 Tim 5:14). Understanding that Paul is inspired with the Holy Spirit we must also consider passages such as Gen 2:18, Heb. 13:4, and Eph. 5:22-23 where God exalts marriage and the relationship between husband and wife. So how is it that Paul seems so opposed to marriage? Again, we must understand what is written here "in view of the present distress." This distress most likely refers to the persecution that was threatening the saints in Corinth (15:32).
thoughts about the text
So frequently, when one hears about a gift of God, he immediately thinks about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. However in v.7, Paul refers to celibacy, how well one is able to control his sexual desire, as a gift from the Lord. In whatever area we are blessed we are to use these gifts to serve God and His people.
In v.12 Paul begins his advice to those married to unbelievers by saying, "But to the rest I say, not the Lord..." It would appear as if Paul is speaking on his own accord and not with apostolic authority. However, in light of the context this is not the case. In v.10 Paul says, "But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord". In this statement Paul references commandments already given by our Lord while among men (such as Matt. 5:31-32; 19:9; Mk. 10:11-12; Lk. 16:18). By this Paul is saying that his advice to the married is reiterating that which the Lord has already said. Then in v.12, Paul writes to them about that which the Lord did not expressly discuss. There is no contextual reason to conclude that Paul is speaking of his own accord. However, the reader must recognize that what follows deviates from that commanded in the Law of Moses. In the days of Ezra (9:1-15 ) and Nehemiah (13:23-31) marriage to unbelievers was forbidden and the people were even commanded to put those mates away whom they had taken from among the other nations. Paul here states that marriage to an unbeliever carries divine approval contrary to what may have been concluded from the old law.
Paul's statement in v.29, "the time has been shortened", appears to be a reference to "the present distress". When speaking of Jerusalem's destruction Jesus says in Matt. 24:21-22 that the days of great tribulation will be cut short. Paul's statement seems to directly correlate to that made by Jesus.
In this chapter Paul is trying to spare them the hardships related to having their interests divided between serving God and serving one's spouse especially in times of such tribulation and persecution. The unmarried are free to give themselves totally to the Lord while the married are divided being concerned how they may also please their mate (vs.32-33).
In 1 Cor 7, Paul begins to address questions that the Corinthians had previously written to him. In this chapter, Paul focuses on their questions regarding marriage. The key to much of what Paul here writes is found in v. 26, where he addresses them, "in view of the present distress."
addressing the text
In vs. 1-7, Paul writes to them about their obligations to one another as spouses. In vs. 8-16, he addresses three groups in particular: (a) vs. 8-9 is addressed to the unmarried, (b) vs. 10-11 are written to the married, and (c) in vs. 12-16 he writes to those Christians who are married to unbelieving spouses. Then in vs. 17-24, Paul encourages them to continue serving God in whatever station they were called (i.e. circumcised, enslaved, etc). Finally, in vs. 25-40, Paul gives special instruction concerning virgins and widows.
There are a few things that must be noted about Paul's seemingly dismal view of marriage in this chapter. Paul himself said in his letter to Timothy that there would be those who will fall away from the faith "who forbid marriage" (1 Tim 4:1-3). In that letter he also encourages younger widows to get married, bear children, and keep house (1 Tim 5:14). Understanding that Paul is inspired with the Holy Spirit we must also consider passages such as Gen 2:18, Heb. 13:4, and Eph. 5:22-23 where God exalts marriage and the relationship between husband and wife. So how is it that Paul seems so opposed to marriage? Again, we must understand what is written here "in view of the present distress." This distress most likely refers to the persecution that was threatening the saints in Corinth (15:32).
thoughts about the text
So frequently, when one hears about a gift of God, he immediately thinks about the gifts of the Holy Spirit. However in v.7, Paul refers to celibacy, how well one is able to control his sexual desire, as a gift from the Lord. In whatever area we are blessed we are to use these gifts to serve God and His people.
In v.12 Paul begins his advice to those married to unbelievers by saying, "But to the rest I say, not the Lord..." It would appear as if Paul is speaking on his own accord and not with apostolic authority. However, in light of the context this is not the case. In v.10 Paul says, "But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord". In this statement Paul references commandments already given by our Lord while among men (such as Matt. 5:31-32; 19:9; Mk. 10:11-12; Lk. 16:18). By this Paul is saying that his advice to the married is reiterating that which the Lord has already said. Then in v.12, Paul writes to them about that which the Lord did not expressly discuss. There is no contextual reason to conclude that Paul is speaking of his own accord. However, the reader must recognize that what follows deviates from that commanded in the Law of Moses. In the days of Ezra (9:1-15 ) and Nehemiah (13:23-31) marriage to unbelievers was forbidden and the people were even commanded to put those mates away whom they had taken from among the other nations. Paul here states that marriage to an unbeliever carries divine approval contrary to what may have been concluded from the old law.
Paul's statement in v.29, "the time has been shortened", appears to be a reference to "the present distress". When speaking of Jerusalem's destruction Jesus says in Matt. 24:21-22 that the days of great tribulation will be cut short. Paul's statement seems to directly correlate to that made by Jesus.
In this chapter Paul is trying to spare them the hardships related to having their interests divided between serving God and serving one's spouse especially in times of such tribulation and persecution. The unmarried are free to give themselves totally to the Lord while the married are divided being concerned how they may also please their mate (vs.32-33).
posted by Xopey at
5:10 PM
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