Devotional 1 Corinthians 7: Biblical Principles of Marriage Reflection on 1 Corinthians 7: marital duties, the purpose of singleness, the unequal yoke, and biblical guidelines on divorce and remarriage. Topics: Devotional, New Testament.

Devotional 1 Corinthians 7: Biblical Principles of Marriage

Today’s devotional is found in the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 7, and this was what happened.

Synopsis: In this chapter, Paul gives marital advice to the members of the church in Corinth. Paul explains to them regarding the following topics: spouses must fulfill their marital duty to one another, singles should dedicate their lives to the Lord, believers married to unbelievers should grant a divorce when the unbelieving spouse requests it, and a man or woman can remarry in the Lord only when their spouse dies.

Observations

These were my observations.

1. Spouses must satisfy one another in marriage. When someone chooses, voluntarily, to marry someone, they must honor their marital duties (1 Corinthians 7:3). For no one was forced to marry. And one of the marital duties is the union of husband and wife through sexual intimacy. For when a man unites with his wife, both become one flesh (Genesis 2:24). That is to say, both must now be united and in agreement in their decisions. For there are no longer unilateral decisions without taking the other’s opinion into consideration. When God created sex between man and woman, He did so for it to be enjoyed exclusively in the context of marriage (Hebrews 13:4). Therefore, when one stops fulfilling their spouse’s desires, it opens a door for temptation. It is under these circumstances that Satan seeks to sow the seed of sexual immorality in the couple (1 Corinthians 7:5). Because once someone has experienced the pleasures of the flesh through sex, it becomes very difficult to live in marriage without it—except in cases where both agree to abstain. Therefore, if someone is married, they should indeed pursue sexual intimacy with their spouse and enjoy the gift God gave them to partake in within their marriage.
2. Singles should dedicate their lives to the Lord. Now, when someone is single, that does not mean they have free rein to do whatever they want. It is quite the opposite. That person should dedicate their life to God, as they have more time on their hands to do so. Because of the free time they have from not being married, this person should seek to walk in the Spirit, so as not to live in sin (1 Corinthians 7:8–9). For the desires of the Spirit and the flesh are opposed. One cannot serve one without despising the other (Galatians 5:16–17). That being said, we must be very careful when single and honest with ourselves. We must be frank and recognize whether we are willing and prepared to abstain from the desires of the flesh permanently or until marriage. If the answer is no, because we have not received this gift from God, then we were made to live our lives in marriage and cannot remain single for extended periods without falling back into sin (i.e., sexual immorality). If the answer is yes, then we have this spiritual gift and strength to live our lives away from sexual immorality and can remain single. But these are the two paths that everyone must contemplate and decide which one fits them best.
3. Believers married to unbelievers should grant a divorce when the unbelieving spouse requests it. This observation is not very obvious at first glance, but makes complete sense when we read Paul’s explanation. Paul said in this letter to the Corinthians that if a believer is married to an unbeliever, they should remain in their marriage and make it work, for in doing so the unbelieving spouse is sanctified through them. That is, when a man unites with a woman, both become one before God. This union, when between a believer and an unbeliever, allows the unbeliever to be sanctified through the holiness of their spouse in marriage (1 Corinthians 7:12–14). This enables that person to find the path of holiness and be redeemed in God. Furthermore, this also allows children born of this marriage to be sanctified by this union. Therefore, Paul recommends that if someone is in an unequally yoked marriage, they should nurture it and do their best to make it work. Only in the case where the unbelieving spouse wishes to divorce should one let them go (1 Corinthians 7:15). However, we must also know that this is a concession and not the ideal solution. For it is not advisable to enter an unequally yoked marriage in the first place—that is, with someone of different beliefs (2 Corinthians 6:14–15). For this only adds difficulty to a journey in union that is already very challenging. But if one is already in this situation, they should make the best of it in the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:17).
4. A man or woman can remarry in the Lord only when their spouse dies. This observation can cause confusion, but only when we fail to understand what marriage is before God. When a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, both become one flesh (Genesis 2:24). That is to say, marriage between a man and a woman is the union of two into one being before God. Furthermore, when one unites with their spouse (through sex), both are bound until death parts them (Matthew 19:6). That is why this vow is spoken before the pastor and witnesses in the religious wedding ceremony. Because there is no separation except through death. Therefore, divorce as understood in our society only dissolves the civil contract before society. Because before God and in the spiritual realm, both remain married. And anyone who decides to marry or have sexual relations with such persons commits adultery (Romans 7:2–3). The only exception is in cases of sexual infidelity by one of the spouses. For, in that situation, one breaks the marriage covenant by committing adultery and becoming spiritually joined to another person. In that case, one may divorce not only before society, but also before God.