1 Corinthians 7:1-9

Should A Single Christian Marry?

Paul turned from dealing with problems of which he had heard to questions the Corinthians had asked. The first question, as seen by McGarvey, was, "Is marriage to be desired or avoided by Christians?" Paul answered that it was better not to touch a woman. He was referring to sexual relations, which for the Christian would be confined to marriage (see Genesis 20:6; Proverbs 6:29). Due to circumstances at the time (see 1 Corinthians 7:26), the apostle's answer was an exception to God's rule, or plan (1 Corinthians 7:1; Genesis 2:18).

Yet, to avoid sin brought on by natural desires, some should marry. God gave the marriage bed as a special place of joy to fulfill man's desire. Marriage was also given by God to provide a helper specially suited to man and a means of procreation (1 Corinthians 7:2; Genesis 2:18; 1 Timothy 2:15). Paul said marriage partners should satisfy one another's desires to help each other avoid great temptation. Neither one has the right to refuse the other the privileges of marriage (1 Corinthians 7:3-4).

He further instructed that they should not deprive one another, except upon agreement during a special time of prayer. After that time of denial, relations should be resumed lest one, or both, be tempted to sin. Paul was not commanding them to refrain from relations during special seasons of prayer. Those matters are to be decided by individuals at home (1 Corinthians 7:5-6).

Some have enough self-control in the area of sexual desires that would allow them to live without marriage (Matthew 19:11-12). Not everyone has the same gift, so all could not remain single as Paul did. Under the circumstances at the time of writing this letter, Paul said it would be better for those who had never married, or were single again because of death, to remain single. However, if one could not control his desires, it was better to marry than to burn with passion (1 Corinthians 7:7-9).