Summary:
Constable quoting Bruce: “”The transition from chapter 6 to chapter 7 illustrates the necessity Paul was under of waging a campaign on two fronts. In chapter 6 he dealt with libertines who argued that everything was permissible, and in particular that sexual licence [sic] was a matter of ethical indifference. In chapter 7 he deals with ascetics who, partly perhaps in reaction against the libertines, argued that sexual relations of every kind were to be deprecated, that Christians who were married should henceforth live as though they were unmarried, and those who were unmarried should remain so, even if they were already engaged to be married.” [Note: Bruce, 1 and 2 Corinthians, p. 66.]”
1 Corinthians 7:1-5 (WEL) Now concerning the things you wrote to me: “It is better for a man not to [sexually] touch a woman.” 2 Nevertheless, because of sexual sins, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband give his wife the affection due her, and likewise the wife also to her husband. 4 The wife doesn’t have authority over her own body, but the husband does, and likewise, the husband also doesn’t have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Don’t deprive one another except with mutual consent for a brief time, so that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, then come together again, so that Satan doesn’t tempt you for your lack of self-control.
V1 Now concerning the things you wrote to me: “It is better for a man not to [sexually] touch a woman.”
Sex is not casual; it is a bonding.
From my study:
“Love, which is a choice, also implies bonding. It is present.
There is bonding in body, soul, and spirit.
This is oneness.
“The bonding in body is affection, cherishing, and sex.
The purpose of sex is physical pleasure and children.
The purpose of sexual pleasure is to love your spouse more than your own pleasure and physical and emotional well-being.
The purpose of children is to raise adults that are living and functioning as adults, conforming to God’s ways.
The purpose of children is to enjoy each other, teaching them self-discipline and self-control, how to handle the stresses of life, learning to work and have fun together. We are mentoring our children to be mature in Christian faith and to live in society.
The Christian adds to worship God together and has a common bond of love for each other.
“The bonding in soul is emotional well-being and common goals.
The purpose of emotional well-being is to comfort, cheer, encourage, edify, counsel for better decisions, intellectual stimulation, serving one another and God, being witnesses for Him.
The purpose of common goals is to work together to achieve them as best as possible.
“The bonding in spirit is for fellowship with God and each other.
The purpose of fellowship with your spouse is to share your prayer requests, what is learned in personal Bible study, answers to prayer, counseling, and making decisions for whatever ministry God has given you and your spouse (every Christian has a ministry).
“The purpose of fellowship with God is in prayer (we talk to God), Bible reading and study (God talks to us and teaches us), confession of sin, seeking direction, help in afflictions, and prayer for other Christians.”
V2 Nevertheless, because of sexual sins, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
God created the sex drive, which is to be under the control of each person. God has standards and rules regarding sex. It is for marriage only. Period.
V3 Let the husband give his wife the affection due her, and likewise the wife also to her husband.
If your wife wants sex, then you should unless you really are sick or fasting and praying for a short period like a few days or weeks. If she does not want sex because she is really sick, then you must not.
V4 The wife doesn’t have authority over her own body, but the husband does, and likewise, the husband also doesn’t have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
This is the rationale of verse 3. Husband (XY) and wife (XX) are bonded to each other. The rules and standard of love forbid marital rape.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn’t brag about itself, is not haughty. 5 It doesn’t behave improperly, is not self-seeking; love isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs. 6 It doesn’t rejoice in injustice, but rejoices with the truth; 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, calmly endures all things. 8 Love never ends…
V5 Don’t deprive one another except with mutual consent for a brief time, so that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, then come together again, so that Satan doesn’t tempt you for your lack of self-control.
Withholding sex is a mutual agreement within a set time frame. The pause is for prayer and fasting. This does not cause God to be more likely to answer prayer, but does show your seriousness by fasting from sex.
We learn:
- What proper sexual relationship is contrasted with the problem in 1 Corinthians 6.
- Some of God’s standards regarding marital sex.
Questions:
- Do you respect your spouse?
- Are you willing to respond appropriately?