MARRIAGE AVOIDS FORNICATION

1 Corinthians 7:1-4 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

In the preceding six chapters, Paul seems to be addressing, and correcting, problems within the church of Christ at Corinth, that were brought to his attention by someone from the household of Chloe (1 Cor. 1:11). Beginning with the subject chapter, Paul begins to answer some questions that had been submitted to him in writing by some of the brethren within the church - to answer the things whereof ye wrote unto me. Although the content of the letter they wrote is not revealed, Paul's replies infer the things that concerned them and the questions they raised. By inspiration, Paul gives the entire seventh chapter of this letter to God's teaching on various aspects of marriage. The possible question they raised could have been: "Is it better for a Christian to marry or to remain unmarried?" Oddly enough, Paul's answer is, "Yes," meaning that, under some prevailing circumstances of the times, either may be the better choice.

The phrase, for a man not to touch a woman, has its vocabulary roots in the Old Testament, and, there, it carried the meaning "not to marry." Used here, Paul means that, at certain times, it would be better for men and women not to marry. In verse 26, that follows, Paul mentioned one of these certain times as during the present distress. At the time of this writing there were, indeed, distressful conditions in the city of Corinth, especially for Christians. What that specific distress was, is not given. However, it is likely that the times referred to was under the reign of Nero, in which extreme persecution of the church took place. Under these critical conditions, Paul indicates, in the following verse 27, that, if married, remain so; if unmarried seek not a wife. In giving this inspired advise, Paul was not teaching this as a permanent arrangement - only for the duration of the present distress.

Certainly, there are other times when it would be better for a man or woman to remain unmarried. We know that Paul was not married, although 1 Corinthians 9:5 tells us that he had the right to do so as well as other apostles. No doubt his miraculous calling and extensive missionary traveling would make a marriage union extremely difficult, due to extensive traveling, physical or mental restrictions, etc.

Fornication is a sin in the eyes of God. Paul dealt with this subject extensively in chapter 5, of this letter to the church at Corinth. Men and women are not to seek, and indulge in, the fulfillment of their sensual desires, with total disregard for the commandments of God. God has established, and given to mankind, through His holy word, laws to govern the human passions of the beings He created in His image. Not only do His laws prohibit engaging in sin, but they also serve to prevent it from occurring. Such is the case with fornication. God's word, written by inspiration, tells us this in the lesson text. The apostle Paul wrote, ...to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

Fornication occurs when the bond of marriage is ignored in the satisfaction of sexual desires. God clearly states that the satisfaction of such desires is to take place within the state of marriage. The lesson text also states clearly that marriage involves one man and one woman, that is,every man is to have his own wife, and ...every woman (is to) have her own husband. Although winked at, and allowed by God, under the Law of Moses, this passage states God's law clearly, and without any ambiguity - it forbids the plurality of husbands or wives. And, as stated in the lesson text, it enables men and women to avoid fornication. Marriageis the bond between a man and a woman. It was established God, and provides the union that avoids and prevents the sin of fornication.

Verses four and five, of the lesson text, tell us of the mutual honor and respect men and women are to have for each other within the marriage relationship. It is impossible to stress the word "mutual" any more than its indicated use in this passage. Marriages thrive, and in turn, survive, in a union, that demonstrates the mutual respect required by God. The covenant that God recognizes in the union of matrimony eliminates the total dominance of either party. Marriage vows eliminate the right, or power, of either husband or wife to seek sexual satisfaction with anyone else but themselves. Marriage, then, avoids fornication!