1 Corinthians Week 13

Day 1 

READ 

1 Corinthians 7:3-4 

³ The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. ⁴ The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife. 

These are Paul’s instructions for mutual satisfaction in the husband/wife relationship. Some discuss whether Paul himself was married. Further verses in 1 Corinthians 7 seem at this time he was not. He had been a member of the Sanhedrin (the Jewish Supreme court). Some believe he had to be married to be qualified for that position. At the time he wrote this he may have been a widower. He could speak from experience as well as revelation.  

REFLECT 

When needing counsel about marriage, it is good to go to a godly couple who is married or to someone who has had a successful marriage but now may be a widow or widower.  

RESPOND 

With a friend read Proverbs 27:9-10. You need counsel from someone who understands your heart’s needs. Sometimes that can be from one who is a brother or sister in Christ rather than a biological family member.  

Day 2 

READ 

1 Corinthians 7:5 

⁵ Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 

Corinth was a wicked city and sex was part of its religion. Christian couples could be confused about what was previously heard and were in need of being taught the proper place of sexual intimacy between married couples. Marriage and sex were God’s idea, but he created such for those who love Him and want to honor Him in their marriage.  

REFLECT 

Think how blessed believers are that the Lord has provided the Bible to give practical instructions for how believers should live and relate to each other. 

RESPOND 

For the way a husband and wife should relate to each other, read Ephesians 5:21-33. This short passage has many instructions for married life. 

Day 3 

READ 

1 Corinthians 7:6-7 

⁶ I say this as a concession, not as a command. ⁷ But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another. 

Verse 7 is the verse that indicates Paul was single at the time he wrote this. Although he preferred others would lead a celibate life as he was doing, he was not commanding it. He recognized that “each person has a special gift from God.” Paul did not want to press everyone into the same mold. 

REFLECT 

Do you recognize that God has gifted people differently so they do not all need to act in the same way? 

RESPOND 

Paul will go into detail in 1 Corinthians 12 about spiritual gifts given by God to His people. With a friend read some other passages that tell about spiritual gifts. See Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Peter 4:10-11.  

Day 4 

READ 

1 Corinthians 7:8-9 

⁸ So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows—it’s better to stay unmarried, just as I am. ⁹ But if they can’t control themselves, they should go ahead and marry. It’s better to marry than to burn with lust. 

Paul mentioned again what his marital state was. He recognized that not everyone should remain single. Some would be able to control their desires; others could not so it was better for them to marry.  

REFLECT 

Notice how considerate the apostle Paul was in thinking of those different than he was. 

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about being considerate of people who face problems you do not face. Have a compassion for others. By doing so you will follow the example of your heavenly Father seen in Luke 6:35-36.   

Day 5 

READ 

1 Corinthians 7:10-11 

¹⁰ But for those who are married, I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord. A wife must not leave her husband. ¹¹ But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to him. And the husband must not leave his wife. 

Paul wrote that his command to those married comes from the Lord. For a passage that records what Jesus said see Mark 10:11-12. Paul seems to refer to separation in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 rather than divorce. Separation would allow for a time of reconciliation after which they could come back together.  

REFLECT 

There are several views about separation and divorce. Be confident your desires are to please the Lord and not yourself. 

RESPOND  

Use a passage such as Colossians 1:9-10 in decisions you must make. When wondering which way to turn, use Colossians 3:15 as a guide. Let the peace of God rule (call the decision) in your life.