1 Corinthians 7:1
Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's striking here is Paul's direct quote, "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman," isn't his own strong opinion. He's quoting the Corinthians back to themselves, showing they raised this extreme idea first. This tells us their questions weren't just practical, but sometimes pushed toward radical asceticism, which Paul then addresses throughout the chapter.
The Apostle Paul is directly addressing questions the church in Corinth had sent him in a letter, and this verse kicks off his response to their inquiries. They had apparently asked for guidance on various issues, and the first one on the table is about marriage and sexual relations. Paul's answer here is a direct quote of a common saying, likely one they themselves believed, and he's about to unpack its full meaning in light of Christ.
Paul starts by affirming a potential 'good' – not marrying. But what does this 'good' really mean in the context of 1 Corinthians?
A Real Option
Paul addresses a question from the Corinthian church about marriage and sexual relations. He acknowledges that for some, remaining single can be a good thing. This isn't a universal command to avoid marriage, but an affirmation that singleness is a valid and potentially beneficial path, free from certain worldly pressures.
Beyond the Physical
When Paul says 'it is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman,' he's not just talking about avoiding physical sin. He's likely pointing to a broader freedom from the responsibilities and potential complications that come with marriage, allowing for greater focus on devotion to God.
While singleness is affirmed as 'good,' Paul quickly pivots to what God has established. What's the divine perspective on marital intimacy?
God's Design for Union
Immediately after acknowledging the 'good' of abstaining, Paul makes a crucial distinction. He doesn't dwell on the 'good' of singleness but immediately addresses the reality and importance of marriage. The phrasing 'but because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband' (v. 2) reveals that marriage is God's intended structure to protect against sexual sin.
Mutual Rights and Responsibilities
This isn't just about avoiding temptation; it's about the beautiful, God-ordained intimacy within marriage. Verse 3 clarifies that 'the husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband.' This speaks of mutual respect, love, and the fulfillment of intimacy as a gift within the marital covenant.
Understand the original words
haptesthai · Greek Verb
The Greek term refers to the intimate physical union between a man and a woman, specifically within marriage. It denotes the act of sexual intercourse.
The church in Corinth was grappling with applying biblical principles to their daily lives in a Greco-Roman culture that had varying views on marriage and asceticism. Paul's response to their specific question about remaining unmarried reflects this tension.
c. AD 41-54
Claudius Expels Jews from Rome
Emperor Claudius expelled Jews from Rome, likely due to disturbances related to "Chrestus" (possibly Christ). This event scattered Jewish communities, including many Christians, throughout the Roman Empire, potentially influencing early church dynamics and travel.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
The Apostle Paul spent approximately 18 months establishing the church in Corinth, a major Roman port city known for its wealth and moral laxity. This foundational ministry laid the groundwork for his later correspondence.
c. AD 53-57
Paul's Missionary Journeys
During his extensive missionary journeys, Paul planted churches across the Roman Empire, facing diverse cultural challenges and theological questions. His letters often addressed specific issues arising in these new communities.
c. AD 55— this verse
Paul writes 1 Corinthians
From Ephesus, Paul writes his first letter to the church in Corinth in response to reports and questions they had sent him. This letter addresses divisions, immorality, and various doctrinal and practical issues within the church.
This passage directly follows and clarifies the statement in verse 1, explaining that while remaining single is good, marriage is a God-ordained solution for those who struggle with sexual desire.
Matthew 19:10-12Jesus discusses singleness and marriage, mentioning 'eunuchs who have been so from birth, and eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven,' echoing the idea that some choose celibacy for spiritual reasons.
1 Corinthians 7:39-40Paul concludes his teaching on marriage by emphasizing freedom in marriage, but also the 'happiness' of remaining as he is (single), indicating that both states can be chosen by faith and for God's glory.
Hebrews 13:4This verse provides the foundational principle that 'marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the sexually immoral and all the wicked,' setting the context for why sexual relations are rightly ordered within marriage.
What's striking here is Paul's direct quote, "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman," isn't his own strong opinion. He's quoting the Corinthians back to themselves, showing they raised this extreme idea first. This tells us their questions weren't just practical, but sometimes pushed toward radical asceticism, which Paul then addresses throughout the chapter.
The Apostle Paul is directly addressing questions the church in Corinth had sent him in a letter, and this verse kicks off his response to their inquiries. They had apparently asked for guidance on various issues, and the first one on the table is about marriage and sexual relations. Paul's answer here is a direct quote of a common saying, likely one they themselves believed, and he's about to unpack its full meaning in light of Christ.
The Apostle Paul is directly addressing questions the church in Corinth had sent him in a letter, and this verse kicks off his response to their inquiries. They had apparently asked for guidance on various issues, and the first one on the table is about marriage and sexual relations. Paul's answer here is a direct quote of a common saying, likely one they themselves believed, and he's about to unpack its full meaning in light of Christ.
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"Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”" — What's striking here is Paul's direct quote, "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman," isn't his own strong opinion. He's quoting the Corinthians back to themselves, showing…
