1 Corinthians: The Choice for God’s Design for Marriage and Sex

The Answers for Sexual Confusion are Found not in the Cultural Chaos, but in the Divine Design.

1 Corinthians 7:1-5 Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. (NIV)

“Now the matters you wrote about; It is good for a man not to marry.” (NIV- 1973)

1 Cor 7:1-5 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. (KJV)

Genesis 2:18 Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

The Decision:      

1 Cor 7:8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am.

The Design:

"Each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband."

Genesis 4:19 And Lamech took two wives. The name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah.

Mark 10:6-8 But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ 7 ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, 8 and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh.

The Duty:

1 Corinthians 10:24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

1 Corinthians 7:33-34 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. (NIV)

The Delight:

1 Corinthians 7:7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.

Application to:

A.       Desired Singleness

B.      Single, Desiring to get Married

1 Corinthians 7:39b “she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

C. Married:    

Proverbs 5:15-19 Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. 16 Should your springs be scattered abroad, streams of water in the streets? 17 Let them be for yourself alone, and not for strangers with you. 18 Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth, 19 a lovely deer, a graceful doe. Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love.