November 21, 2004

EVERYONE A MARRIAGE PARTNER

1 Corinthians 6:16-7:17

   Paul heard of some of the problems at Corinth. In addition they had written questions regarding various marriage situations. Was it really A good that a man should not touch a woman?" A Greek philosopher, Diogenes Leartius wrote, "No one was ever the better for sexual indulgence, and it is well if he be not the worse... Nor...will the wise man marry and rear a family." Such sad unbiblical advice had apparently influenced and confused some in the church.

   Paul addressed this issue from God's point of view. "Nevertheless, on account of the fornications, let each husband have his own wife, and let each wife have her own husband" (1 Cor. 7:2). Each was to render to the other "due benevolence," [the debt], and each now had the authority over their married partner's body in the matter of conjugal relationships. Failing to obey these principles was both fraudulent and a denial of their marriage vows [covenant]. It also risked Satan's tempting them because of "your incontinency" (7:5).

   Paul had the Lord's permission to express his wish "that all men were even as I myself" (7:7). And how was that? It is not that Paul was unmarried, though that was his situation. Paul had "obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful" (7:25) in his continency. His was not an enforced celibacy but one who had gained personal control in this matter of the relation between the sexes. Paul had been a member of the Israel 's ruling body, the Sanhedrin, which required its members be married. Therefore at this time he was apparently a widower. Though he had experienced the marriage relationship, he had found mercy of the Lord to be faithful and unmarried so he could better serve the Lord without distraction. But for those who were not so continent, "if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry that to burn [with strong desire]" (7:9).

   It was God Who said "it is not good that the man should be alone," (Gen. 2:18) and then He created for him an "help-meet" from his own body. Upon His presentation of Eve, Adam was now complete. She was his fulness and he was hers. God could now say of His completed creation, "Behold, it is very good" (Gen 1:31). It still is!

Ivan L. Burgener