Sex and Marriage

Read 1 Corinthians 7.

The Corinthians had written Paul first with some questions.  He addressed at least a couple of them in this chapter.

The Apostle Paul was a single man.  He could have married (Peter did, Matthew 8:14) but Paul chose to remain as he was when God called him.  It is crucial not to blaspheme the Holy Spirit, as some have done, by dismissing these Biblical statements as "Oh, that was just Paul talking."  Not only did he write these instructions "as (he) was carried along by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:20-21), but, in addition, he had Apostolic authority to give such specific instructions.  Indeed, this is the word of God.

Marriage Defined 
The only ones endeavoring to redefine marriage are those who reject God's word and seek to justify their sin.
Marriage is a relationship between a man and a woman.  (v.2)

Marriage is a singular union comprised of one man and one woman.  The term "each" does not allow for polygamy.

Marriage is a submissive relationship, in that each lovingly gives up personal rights and authority over their body (vv.3-4).  Ephesians 5 describes the attitude of believers in this regard.  In the same way Christ loves and sacrificed Himself, so a husband is to demonstrate that kind of sacrificial love to his wife.  In the same way, a believer submits themselves to a loving Savior, so a wife is to give herself to her husband.

Sexual intercourse is truly an act of marriage.  Intentionally withholding intimacy from a marriage partner is a violation of verses 3-4.  Engaging in sex outside of marriage is strictly condemned as the behavior of unbelievers who are subjecting themselves to God's judgment.  This was made clear in 6:9-10.  "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous." (Hebrews 13:4)

There are two overarching statements for all of us.
1. Be self-disciplined. (v.5b)
To engage in sex outside of marriage is a temptation from two sources.  First, Satan is a tempter.  His aim against every believer is to lure them away into sin.  "Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)  The second is our own lust.  James 1:14, "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire."    "...walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16)

2. Be content where you are. (v.35)
Single?  That is okay.  Married?  That is okay.  Widowed?  That is okay.  At best, all earthly relationships are temporal.  "For the present form of this world is passing away" (v.31b).  Whatever your state in life, make it your focus, then, "to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord."