Thoughts on Marriage. 1 Corinthians 7

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Amy
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If you are reading 1 & 2 Corinthians with me, today’s reading is 1 Corinthians 7.

I’m abandoning the SOAP format today because, well, instead I’d like to ask for your input.

This passage talks about marriage. Paul suggests it is better not to be married, as then your focus on God is divided, as you are also concerned with your spouse. I get that, but in Genesis we are told that we are created man and woman and that the woman was created as a helper to the man. I take that to mean that we are created man and woman so that we will marry. But Paul talks about marriage as a concession.

Anyone have any thoughts or clarification for me? I’d love to hear what you think or understand.

Also, another verse always brings up a question for me. 1 Corinthians 7: 14 says “For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.”

So does that mean that the unbelieving spouse is also granted eternal life with Christ?

What have you learned?

And what questions do you have on today’s passage?

Comments

10 responses to “Thoughts on Marriage. 1 Corinthians 7”

  1. Susan Stuhr Avatar
    Susan Stuhr

    Amy, this is very interesting. Here is what I have learned over the years in various bible studies regarding marriage, Paul, spouses, etc. I believe that as an Apostle, Paul was utterly and openly devoted solely to the Lord and he made that choice to remain undivided in his attentions. He was not against marriage in general, he was merely reflecting on the benefits remaining unmarried can be beneficial to the cause of the gospel. Consider verses 32-35. But God’s words in Genesis 2:24 are absolute and are what we are to follow, as he instructs us to be joined as husband and wife.

    Regarding unbelieving spouses, the pillar for eternal life is John 14:6, ‘Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” So to initially receive the gift of eternal salvation from God the Father, simply have faith and belief in Jesus Christ and what He personally did for you with His death on the cross. Just because the unbeliever is sanctified, does not mean he is saved. Paul is saying that God makes your spouse clean (or permissible) to you because of your own faith. And thus the children are. He is not saying that your spouse is made clean before God. The decision and declaration to accept God must be made by the individual to receive eternal life with Him.

    Oh to have known Paul! One day!

    Reply
  2. Jackie Frymire Avatar
    Jackie Frymire

    I don’t think Paul meant that the unbelieving spouse would be saved through the believing spouse as he goes on to say in v 15-16 “But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. A believing man or woman is not bound in such curcumstances; God has called us to live in peace. How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?”

    Also in this chapter, he makes it know what commands come from the Lord (as in vs. 10 and 12) and what is just his ideas, or interpretations.

    Reply
    1. Amy @ MomsToolbox Avatar
      Amy @ MomsToolbox

      Thanks for jumping in and sharing your thoughts. I love how Paul really gets me thinking!

      Reply
  3. Jamie Tomkins Avatar
    Jamie Tomkins

    We were also taught that Paul was talking about this due to people putting marriage above the Lord. If you’re able to be married and have a strong biblical family that lives for the Lord that’s one thing, if marriage is a way to add an excuse as to why you don’t have time to go to church or pray, etc., than Paul is right on. It’s a person to person basis and I believe Paul was only talking to the select few at that time, that needed to learn where to put their focus!!

    Reply
    1. Amy @ MomsToolbox Avatar
      Amy @ MomsToolbox

      Great point! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  4. Christy Kleffman Avatar
    Christy Kleffman

    Hi Amy! Our pastor preached on this very verse just a couple of weeks ago. He mentioned that you really need to think about the historical context that Paul was speaking from. The early Christians he was speaking to literally thought the world would be ending in the very near future. Because of this, Paul thought that there would be no time for marriage, as they had so little time to prepare for the coming of Christ. It helps to know this, as I don’t think at all Paul would have said this if he knew we had such a long way to go.

    Reply
    1. Amy @ MomsToolbox Avatar
      Amy @ MomsToolbox

      Oh! Thanks, Christy– that really makes a lot more sense. Thanks for sharing that.

      Reply
  5. Cassandra Land Avatar
    Cassandra Land

    Hi Amy,

    This is also a passage I have pondered a few times in my Bible readings. There are two things that stand out to me in 1 Cor. 7 regarding marriage.

    1 – Paul basically says “I think.” Vs. 25 says “I have no commandment from the Lord…” Then the next verse starts off by saying “I suppose therefore…” This is Paul’s preference, not a commandment from God. Paul is a very busy, traveling preacher and I can see why he would prefer singleness over marriage from his perspective of ministry.
    2 – If you do marry, you have not sinned (vs. 28). Marrying does not go against God’s plan.

    I can’t support this with Scripture, but I suspect Paul’s main audience with this particular passage is ministers, those who are involved in ministry full time.

    1 Corinthians 7:14 – I’ve questioned that verse as well. My Bible has a footnote talking about the sanctification means that the marriage is considered valid before the Lord even though it is between a believer and an unbeliever. That kind of makes sense to me in light of the second half of the verse regarding the children. If the marriage wasn’t considered valid in God’s eyes, the children would be illegitimate (and thus unclean). But since the marriage is valid (sanctified), the children are legitimate (holy/clean).

    I don’t think the passage means that a spouse will be saved based on the beliefs of the other spouse. I think the Bible doesn’t support that view. If you read on to verse 16, it says “For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?” If you stay with your unbelieving spouse, you might be able to save them. Not by your beliefs, but by your example.

    It reminds me of 1 Peter 3:1-2 – “Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. ”

    Just a few thoughts. :) It was fun to dig into the Word with you!

    Reply
    1. Amy @ MomsToolbox Avatar
      Amy @ MomsToolbox

      Thanks, Cassandra! I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts, too– I’m glad to know I’m not the only one mulling it over and wondering. I have to say, I’m really enjoying this reading. Paul is challenging me in some great ways and making me think about my reading long after I close the Bible each morning.

      Reply
      1. Cassandra Land Avatar
        Cassandra Land

        Hubs and I were still talking about these passages last night. lol. He pointed out that following the logic of an unbelieving person can be saved merely by marriage to a believer, then all believers should find unbelieving spouses. It would be a lot faster way of spreading the gospel than our traditional methods. This goes against Paul’s recommendation of being “equally yoked” though… :)

        Reply

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