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Timothy: I Corinthians 7:1-16
Principles for Marriage

1 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.

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.

6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

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.

8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

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

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.

12 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.

13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

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.

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.

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?

[King James Version]

Dear God, my Beloved Father, I respectfully offer my praise and gratitude to You. You are the Almighty God and my Father in Heaven. From generation to generation, You have loved me and ordained me to be saved, redeemed, and forever be Your child, living in Your kingdom. I rejoice in Your love and every grace You have bestowed upon me. I pray that Christ strengthens my physical body and heals any sickness within me. I also ask that the Holy Spirit illuminate my spirit so that I can understand the deep things of God. Thank You, my Triune God.

Father, I would like to present my reflection on I Corinthians 7:1-16 as follows:

Verses 1 and 2: Paul answers the questions of the people of God in Corinth about sexual relationships and marriage in Christ. Firstly, he affirms that it is good for men not to have sexual relations with women, with the implication that sexual relations are being referred to outside of marriage. Therefore, he advises both men and women to marry in order to avoid sexual immorality. Thus, the marriage between a man and a woman is both to fulfill God’s commandment to procreate and fill the earth and to avoid sexual immorality, as well as to add to their strength and achievements in life, as taught in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.

Verses 3 to 5: In the marital relationship, both husband and wife must fulfill their sexual duties to each other. Neither the husband nor the wife should refuse each other, but they should try to help each other find pleasure in sexual activity. The wife’s body belongs to her husband, and the husband’s body belongs to his wife. Both parties must actively participate in sexual activity and please each other. Even if one of them wants to abstain from sex for a time to fast and pray, they must have the consent of the other, meaning that reasonable arrangements must be made.

I understand that the natural instinct for sex in men is stronger than in women in order to ensure the propagation of the human species. Therefore, men’s sexual needs are often higher than women’s. Like Abraham, who was over 140 years old but still remarried and had six more children. The wife must understand her husband’s sexual needs and fulfill her sexual duty with him to prevent him from being tempted by Satan and committing adultery.

Verse 6: Paul meant that his advice on the husband and wife temporarily refraining from sexual relations to fast and pray is permissible, but it is not a command from God.

Verses 7 to 9: Paul’s heart desires that God’s people live single like him, without the burden of marital duties. However, he understands that God grants different graces to each person. Some are granted the grace to live single like him, but others are given the grace to marry, have children, and raise them. Living single without the burden of marital duties is good if one is not tempted by sexual desires. But if there is no grace to live single, then one should marry to avoid committing fornication.

Verses 10 and 11: This is advice against divorce for both believing husbands and wives. When both husband and wife are believers, there is no reason for them to give up on each other. For the people of God, love for each other should be greater than love for themselves. However, if for some reason, except when one of them has committed a sin and does not repent, leading to excommunication by the Church, the husband and wife decide to separate, they should come back together after a period of time, rather than marry someone else. I understand that in the case where one of them commits a sin without repentance and is excommunicated by the Church, the other person is allowed to divorce and is free to marry someone else in the Lord.

Verses 12 to 14: This is Paul’s advice, not a command from God, for the people of God who have spouses that do not believe in God. It is strictly forbidden by God for the people of God to marry someone who does not believe in God. However, this is the case when two people who do not believe in God marry, and then one of them becomes a believer. Paul advises that if the believer’s spouse is willing to continue living with them, then they should not divorce. It is because of God’s mercy that He sanctifies the unbelieving spouse so that they can be united with the people of God in marriage. Their children are also sanctified by God. This sanctification means being set apart to live with the people of God, and does not mean that the unbelieving spouse and children are saved through the faith of the believing spouse or parent.

Verse 15: But if the unbelieving husband or wife wishes to divorce, is hostile to the faith of the children of God, is cruel, or commits adultery, then the children of God should divorce for the sake of peace in their lives.

Verse 16: The reason why the people of God continue to live with their spouse who does not believe in God is to give the unbelieving spouse a chance to know and accept the Gospel through the life and testimony of the believer.

Dear Father, please help each of Your children understand the needs of sexuality and marital relationships in You. Please protect and bless Your children who are living with a spouse who does not believe in You, so that they may remain steadfast in faith and lead their spouse and children to Your salvation. Amen!

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Timothy Christian Huynh
05/04/2023