Living A Devoted Life In An Evil World

1 Corinthians 7:1-40

Jim Davis

The scriptures don’t pretend to give us specific answers to our every question; they merely give us precepts and principles by which to govern our lives. It would be impossible to list specific answers to every question we pose. A church sign read, “We have 35 million laws to try to enforce the Ten Commandments.” This is why God gives us simple precepts by which to judge our lives. Jesus didn’t lay down hard fast rules, but rather taught by precept and principle. He summed up the law and prophets by saying, “love your neighbor as yourself.” He proclaimed this one principle to be the summation all moral law.

The Corinthians had apparently written to him to ask him some questions about marriage. We don’t have the letter written to Paul, but we have Paul’s letter written to the church at Corinth. We may not know the specific questions Paul is seeking to answer for the Corinthians. Regardless of not knowing the questions posed to Paul, there are basic precepts that we must learn in these verses.

There is much we don’t know about the marriage situations of those to whom Paul is writing. We know that there were some Christians in Corinth whose marriages had been dissolved, but we do not know the details of the dissolutions (1 Corinthians 7:25-29). But we can know the basic principles that were to guide them to living lives fully devoted to God in the circumstances they find themselves.

God Says Marriage Is Honorable

1 Corinthians 7:1-7
Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. he husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except 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. I say this as a concession, not as a command. I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that” (NIV).

Why doses Paul say that it is good for a man not to touch a woman? One thing is certain. This is not said to degrade marriage or sex. The Hebrew writer says,  “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral” (Hebrews 13:4 NIV). Both Paul and the Hebrew writer indicate that marriage is the only holy provision for sexual expression. If it is a God given provision for sexual expression—sex is holy.

Does Paul make this statement to diminish the self-worth of women? Is Paul’s statement, “It is good for a man not to touch a woman?” an effort to depreciate the value and honor of women? Here the word “man” is used in a generic sense as you would use it to apply to all humans inclusive of both sexes. Could you not ask the same question of a woman: “Is it good for a woman not to touch a man?” Later in this chapter Paul advises virgins not to marry (7:25-28), however he tells them that if they marry they have not sinned. Paul’s instruction for the virgin woman is the same as it is for the man—it would be better for them not to marry. Does this degrade either? 

Celibacy may be honorable, but so is marriage. The Greeks sought to separate body from soul. The idea behind this was that denying the natural desires of the body purified the soul. Some in the puritan age embraced the idea that sex within marriage was sinful. They thought sexual expression was an unfortunate necessary evil.

Paul indicates that both men and women have sexual needs and these needs are pure and holy in God’s sight. “The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer.”

However, marriage is not solely for the purpose of fulfilling sexual appetites. A marriage built solely upon physical attraction is doomed for failure.

When Jesus dealt with the loose attitude toward marriage generated by misapplication of Moses law, the disciples decided it might be better not to marry. However, their reason for not marrying was much different than Paul’s. Their ideal was if you couldn’t get rid of your partner for any reason, other than fornication it would be better not to marry.

Matthew 19:8-12
“Jesus replied, ‘Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery.’ 

The disciples said to him, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry." 

Jesus replied, ‘Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it’" (NIV).

The disciple’s reason for not marrying was selfish; Paul’s motive was holy. Not everyone can take the advise of the apostle Paul, but Jesus’ remark to the disciples “The one who can accept this should accept it” may still be valid today—i.e., if you can accept it, you should.

However, no one has a right to force celibacy upon either men or women; for it is impossible for most. Sexuality was designed by a holy God and is perverted by Satan.

1 Timothy 4:1-5
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer (NIV).

To force a person to do what is impossible for them to do makes them a prime target of Satan. It is then that Satan moves in and takes advantage.

If celibacy is impossible, every man should have his own wife, and every wife should have her own husband (7:2). In doing so those indisposed to a life of celibacy would avoid fornication. 

1 Corinthians 7:8-9
“Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion” (NIV).

Men and women are made as two pieces of a puzzle—to fit perfectly together. That union is so perfect that the two actually become one flesh. When this is done in the union of marriage between male and female God joins them together as one. This is not so with same sex marriages.

Genesis 2:20-24
“But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 

The man said,

‘This is now bone of my bones 
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called 'woman,'
for she was taken out of man.’ 

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (NIV).

God Says Marriage Is Permanent

Christians must understand the purpose and permanence of marriage. Marriage is a union of two persons until death. Jesus taught, "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,’ and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate"  (Matthew 19:4-6 NIV).

Paul reiterates the purpose and permanence of marriage, however he doesn’t hesitate to give them his opinion of what they should do in the present crisis.

1 Cor 7:39-40
“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. In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is-and I think that I too have the Spirit of God” (NIV).

Christians must recognize the permanence of the commitment in marriage. Paul reiterates Jesus instruction concerning the permanence of marriage.

1 Corinthians 7:10-11
“To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife” (NIV).

Biblical love is a committed love. It is a love that is seeking another’s greatest good. It goes so far beyond the physical and emotional that it boggles the mind. It is a kind of love that characterizes the very nature of Christianity. It is a love that stays committed to the unloving and the unlovable for better or worse.

Christian love stays committed in less than idea circumstances. Becoming a Christian doesn’t diminish responsible commitment to an unbelieving mate who refuses to become a Christian.

1 Corinthians 7:12-14
“To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy” (NIV).

1 Peter 3:1-4
“Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight” (NIV).

The Christian values by which a person lives must be the guiding factor in seeking and keeping a mate. Paul is concerned about those who were married before becoming Christians. He wants them to understand that their mixed non-Christian marriages are sanctified in God’s sight. However, he instructs those marrying after becoming Christians to marry those who have already been sanctified in the Lord. Paul writes, “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” (1 Corinthians 7:39 NIV). 

A commitment to Christian values is the key for a successful marriage. When the physical attraction diminishes, as it surely will with age, there will be something substantial upon which to continue the relationship. 

What do you do if you become a Christian and your non-Christian spouse decides he/she doesn’t want to be married to a Christian?

1 Corinthians 7:15-16
“But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?” (NIV).

A Christian is not bound in such circumstances. There is no way a Christian can fulfill the duties to a spouse that has deserted them. The Christian is free of a marriage bond in the case of desertion by an unbelieving spouse. The idea of not being bound is that the Christian mate is no longer in subjection to the unbeliever who has deserted. The marriage is ended. Paul does not specifically discuss the ramifications of this upon the eligibility of the Christian for remarriage. However, this doesn’t mean that the Christian is free to put away a non-Christian spouse.

Paul doesn’t relieve the Corinthian’s from the commitment to the circumstances they are in when they become Christians. Becoming a Christian doesn’t change our circumstances, but it does seek to change our attitude toward our circumstances. If we have a chance to change our circumstances we should, but it should be done on the basis of Christian principles.

1 Corinthians 7:17-24
“Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 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. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you-although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to” (NIV).

This discussion is not about circumcision or slavery; it is about circumstances. Christian principles must be applied to whatever circumstance we find ourselves when we become a Christian. The question is not, how can I get out of the circumstance? It is about how can I remain devoted to God in the circumstances I find myself in? 

We must retain the place in life that God has assigned us and to which he has called us. Paul saw his entire life controlled by the providence of God.

Galatians 1:13-17
“For you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later returned to Damascus” (NIV).

It is hard to fathom that we are where we are because of God’s providence, but it is essential that we understand that we are here to obey God’s call. We are here to obey the one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:13
“For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (NIV).

We are all equal in God’s sight.

Galatians 3:26-29
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise” (NIV)

Equality comes through relationships not through position. We are equally all one in Christ and with Christ, but Christ occupies a higher position than we do. One’s relationship to one’s circumstances can change even though it is impossible to change one’s position in one’s circumstances.

1 Timothy 6:1-2
All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them” (NIV).

If the Christian servant and the Christian master follow the most basic Christian principle of treating each other as each would like to be treated, both would become free. Thus, Christianity in a very salient and powerful way frees those held as slaves to their circumstances. It frees them to live a life devoted to God in whatever circumstances they find themselves. This freedom will allow you to make the most of your situation. Whether it is discussed specifically or not, the ideal of freedom is found in the one principle that sums up the whole law, “love your neighbor as yourself.”

Ephesians 6:5-9
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. 

“And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him” (NIV).

Paul is speaking of slavery, but it applies to every circumstance. We must devote our lives to Christ in every circumstance.

The Circumstances of Paul’s Instruction

Paul’s instruction is given for the present circumstances of the Corinthians. We must understand the present crisis Paul speaks of in 7:26. However, the eternal principles are relevant to every age. Paul’s instruction is given because of the present crisis of living a Christian life in a pagan immoral world. This brings us back to the previous chapter reminding us that everything may be permissible, but everything is not beneficial (6:12).

1 Corinthians 7:25-28
“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. Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are. Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. 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” (NIV).

Paul’s instruction for the present crisis is for the virgin, married and those whose marriages have been dissolved. He doesn’t bother to indicate why the marriages were dissolved. Looking at the following verses through different versions reveals the three distinct groups Paul addresses.

1 Corinthians 7:25-29
“Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy. I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you should marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin should marry, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you” (NAS).

1 Corinthians 7:25-29
“Now concerning the unmarried, I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. I think that in view of the present distress it is well for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek marriage. But if you marry, you do not sin, and if a girl marries she does not sin” (RSV).

Paul advises the virgins and unmarried or those whose marriages have been dissolved, “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” (NIV). 

Paul’s instruction concerns one’s devotion to the Lord. Since our body is the temple of God, Paul is concerned about keeping God’s temple totally devoted to God’s purposes. An unmarried person can fully devote himself or herself to the Lord with an undivided devotion regardless of the circumstances. Paul doesn’t want the Christians in Corinth to become so engrossed in the present world that they loose sight of the next world.

1 Corinthians 7:29-31
“What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; 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; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away” (NIV).

Paul is not asking the Corinthians to forsake family; he seeks to align their priorities by persuading them to put God first. We put our family’s welfare first by seeking to put God first and foremost in our lives. This may sound strange, but we are encouraged to put God and his kingdom first, so that we can trust God’s protection and provision. 

Matthew 10:37-39
"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (NIV)

When we discover our life in Christ through devotion to eternal principles, then we can help our family discover the value of a life fully devoted to God. It is then that we help them focus on God’s priorities.

Matthew 6:28-34
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (NIV).

When we focus upon God’s purpose for us in the circumstances we find ourselves in we will enable our family and others to discover the true meaning of salvation. This is the key to salvaging our lives in the midst of difficult circumstances. Since, this world in its present form is passing away, we should not become engrossed in the things of this world. 

1 John 2:15-17
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever” (NIV).

Christians were persecuted throughout the first and second centuries after Christ’s death. It would be easier for one to suffer persecution upon oneself than it would be to watch family persecuted. This is the reason Paul gives the following instruction.

1 Corinthians 7:32-35
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. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world-how he can please his wife-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. 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 (NIV).

Conclusion:

Paul simply sets forth the principles one should consider in each circumstance faced. These principles will enable us to give an undivided devotion to the Lord. He does not lay down hard fast rules. Paul’s conclusion simply seeks to guide by precept and principle as we recognize our need to live a life fully devoted to God.

1 Corinthians 7:36-40
“If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if she is getting along in years and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. 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. So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does even better.  

“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. In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is-and I think that I too have the Spirit of God” (NIV). 

Following these principles and precepts will lead us to make some rules for our own lives. Mainly, that the decisions we make will allow us to live a life devoted to God.