The other day I saw a video for couples in which the speaker, in a pleasant and ironic tone, said that he had found a Bible verse that, if followed to the letter, would avoid any problems in marriage. With a curious audience eager to discover the “magic formula” that would solve his marital difficulties, presented 1 Corinthians 7. 1?(?) Is it better that men don’t touch women?
It is obvious that the speaker’s intention was, in a relaxed way, to show his listeners that in conjugal relations there will always be obstacles to overcome, for both are human beings and therefore sinners.
- By the example above.
- The fact that I would like to emphasize is that.
- Unfortunately.
- By making a superficial reading of the first letter from Chapter 7 to the Corinthians.
- Some people may conclude that Paul could disprove God’s statement made in Genesis.
- 2:18: It is not good for man to be alone.
- But is that really it?Paul didn’t agree with God? After all.
- Is it good or bad for a man to be alone?.
It is clear that we need to take a closer look at the context of this letter in order to answer these questions.
First of all, it must be remembered that Corinth was a city marked by sexual depravity and pagan cults, it is most likely that the city went through an economically difficult period, the fact is that some men and women of this society reached the heart of the church and brought with it various immoral customs and practices from that time (1 Corinthians 5: 10-13).
Paul, through letters, had urged these Christians to live apart and more consistent with the Word (1Co 5. 9). In the midst of these exchanges of correspondence, 1 Corinthians 7. 1 suggests that the Apostle was asked what would be best for the relationship between men. and women, because it seems that some church members believed that they should not marry (1C 7. 1), others practiced sexual abstinence within marriage (1C 7. 3-5), there were married Christians who tried to leave their spouses for no good reason (1C 7. 10 . 11) or because of their disbelief (1C 7. 12-16).
Have these brethren experienced an extremely painful moment (1C 7:26)? Perhaps by the persecution of the first century or by the economic situation of the city, and it is in this context that the Apostle first reaffirms the legitimacy of marriage, using the teachings of the Lord himself (1C 7:10)?Let us remember that in Matthew 19 the Pharisees asked Christ about divorce to try; In the end, given the seriousness with which Jesus exposed the marital relationship, the disciples themselves exclaim: “If this is the condition of a man in relation to his wife, then it is better not to marry!?To his surprise, Jesus’ response was that not everyone received this gift. He continues to admit that there are eunuchs of birth, eunuchs created by man and those who have become eunuchs for the love of the Kingdom.
Returning to our text, Paulo begins instructing the bride and groom to remain in this state, except in case of abandonment. With this part of the letter, we can see that the Apostle does not oppose marriage, but values the institution created. In fact, in 1 Timothy 4:1-3, he declares that it is the deceivers who teach the doctrines of demons, who oppose marriage.
As we read the rest of the chapter, we can conclude that Paul was concerned about the difficult and distressing situation they were in, and that in this scenario it was better for those who did not have a spouse to be left alone (1C 7. 26; 29 However, even if the situation was totally unfavourable to marriage, sexual purity could not be put into play , so Paul’s counsel was for those who could not control their sexual appetites to marry (1Co 7. 9).
In this enriching passage, the Apostle obviously states that the state of unmarried or married is not decisive of the spiritual condition of the believer, that is, no one is better than anyone else because of his marital status, he clearly says that marrying is not a sin and that remaining virgin (single and sexually pure) is a good thing. It teaches us that marriage is a God-given institution and that it must be conducted with righteousness. On the other hand, it also teaches that celibacy is also a divine gift, which must be taken with the same seriousness as marriage.
Both situations are gifts of God to the Christian, both require a responsibility on the part of the believer, both can bring happiness, each in their own way (1 Co 7. 33; 40).
Therefore, Christians should regard the situation of the bachelor as a precious state before God, a period of grace for the development and maturation of the Christian in certain areas of his life, a time when the bachelor can bless the local church by putting himself at the service of the kingdom. Singles are God’s gift to the church, and how much we lack this recognition among us!
We must also recognize the Grace of the Lord in the life of a couple. We must glorify him through marriage, love and respect his wife, seek to please him in all areas, including those related to sexual intercourse.
Let us look at the reality that our society is as bad as Corinth’s; Times are difficult and often difficult. Let us remember that it is not really good for man to be alone and that we certainly are not, because he promised to be with us, with the bride and groom and the singles, every day until the end of time (Mt 28:20).
Therefore, let us rejoice and walk, single or as a couple, each according to the gift the Lord has given him, worthy of the vocation to which we have been called (1 Cor 7:17; Eph 4:1).
By: Laise Oliveira. © Return to the Gospel. Website: VoltemosAoeEangelho. com All rights are reserved. Original: After all, is it good or bad for a woman to be alone?