Married & Single Christians

What wisdom would married and single Christians want to consider?

1 Corinthians 7:1-16 Christian Marriages

Is celibacy good or bad?

1 Corinthians 7:1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

What should single people do if they continually face many sexual temptations?

1 Corinthians 7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

Should a husband or wife deprive each other of sexual affection?

1 Corinthians 7:3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

Why? Does the idea of mutual submission play a role in marital sex?

1 Corinthians 7:4 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.

Is there ever a time to mutually agree to abstain? Why should husband and wife return to normal sexual relations?

1 Corinthians 7:5 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.

Is this a command or pastoral advice?

1 Corinthians 7:6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

In those troubled times of severe persecution, how did Paul wish all people were? Is this state a gift?

1 Corinthians 7:7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

What was Paul talking about specifically?

1 Corinthians 7:8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.

What strength of character does celibacy exhibit? What if people don’t have this gift?

1 Corinthians 7:9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn [with passion].

What commandment is from God to the married?

1 Corinthians 7:10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

What if a spouse does depart the marriage?

1 Corinthians 7:11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

What about those already married to unbelievers?

1 Corinthians 7:12-13 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

What benefit does the unbelieving spouse obtain from being married to a believer?

1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

What if the unbeliever departs the marriage? Is the marriage bond also broken in principle by an abusive spouse who has departed the safety and peace that a marriage is meant to be?

1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

What should we pray for those married to an unbeliever?

1 Corinthians 7:16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Keep Your Calling

Should we change our social status when we become Christians?

1 Corinthians 7:17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

What about circumcision?

1 Corinthians 7:18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

How important is circumcision under the new covenant?

1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God [is what matters].

What about our employment?

1 Corinthians 7:20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

What if we are a slave, an employee under contract, or in slavery to debt?

1 Corinthians 7:21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

What does our social status mean to God?

1 Corinthians 7:22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.