Marriage–avoiding Fornication

We have studied, in past weeks, practical instructions for righteous behavior in the assemblies of God. Apostle Paul wrote letters to a mixed assembly of Jews and Gentiles at Corinth; new converts, being young in the faith, and older, more seasoned members in the faith of Jesus Christ. The assembly was having problems with division, worldly sinful behaviors within and how to cope with non-believers. Satan, still deceiving and causing many to be deceived, kept many believers from becoming aware of such sinful practices and how they should avoid those who practice such. We know 7 ... the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: 2 Thessalonians 2:7 ASV. Paul wanted to bring the assembly at Ccorinth into understanding and to follow Spiritual practices, but the power of Satan still overcame them and they could not understand Spiritual lessons.

Deception is the work of Satan. If he can get assumed righteous men to teach deceit, many foolish men will believe such deceit; thus, become condemned and be judged for their unbelief and their desire not for the truth.

This passage, 1 Corinthians 7, deals with marriage and the belief or non-belief of its participants in God, Jesus the Christ, and the Holy Spirit. It deals with a society of which promiscuity was a regular part of their lives. Remember the vast majority of believers and pupils in Corinth were Gentiles. The law of God and marriage was not given to them nor their ancestors. So, Paul needed to clarify some things the congregation at Corinth had previously questioned. 1 Cor. 7:1. 7 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me:

We know the law of God concerning marriage to be thus: 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24. Also, we know Moses allowed a writ of divorce to Israel, but God did not desire that manner of marital living. 8 He [Jesus] saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. Matthew 19:8. Divorce was not so from the beginning. God actually hates divorce. Mal. 2:16. KJV. 16 For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away:

Knowing these things, let us keep them in mind, yet, if we can see anything different in this teaching than we have heard, let us examine it thoroughly and accept this teaching by Apostle Paul. 2 Timothy 3:15-16. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. ‘ALL’, therefore we must find consistency in all scripture to find the truth. Once found, we must abide by the truth.

1 Corinthians chapter 7 beginning at verse 1. 7 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

As we studied last week, fornication was a normal pattern of life in Gentile people. To curtail the problem and sinfulness of fornication, Paul says that marriage can avoid the sin of fornication. Every man and woman should have their own spouse. Keeping faithful to your own spouse will curtail the desire for fornication. (vs. 2)

However, ‘It is good, or better, for a man not to touch a woman’. (We will see and understand more of this phrase a little later, but for now) If this be an absolute, man could not fulfill the word of God from the beginning. Genesis 1:28. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. God has placed within mankind the desire to become fruitful and multiply which means a man must touch a woman—but only his wife. Therefore, to avoid fornication, let each have their own spouse.

Again, Paul, speaking of fornication—touching a woman for pleasure; (any and perhaps all women) is saying man is taking away his desire to please God and pleasing himself. Paul explains that in verse 2: 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Marriage confirmed by God is one man and one woman. Each to each other. They are now one flesh in the eyes of God. (Gen 2:24)

Let us pick up in verse 3. 3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.