1 Cor 7:1-17, 25-40
Last week, we discussed the Bible’s clear teaching about sex. Sex is for the expression, enjoyment, and enactment of the whole-life union of one man and one woman in the covenant of marriage. Anything outside of this is what Paul calls “sexual immorality” (porneia), which is “not what the body is for.” This means that the Bible presents two options: 1) marriage between one man and one woman, and 2) celibate singleness. Easy, right? Not so fast. If it was so easy, why did Paul have to describe so much in this passage? It’s certainly not easy to follow, and there are more groups than two that he addresses. As with the Corinthians, we don’t fit neatly into this passage. Still, Paul’s message gives us a powerful vision for elevating marriage and singleness today.
1. Two Gifts
Christianity recognizes two gifts from God regarding our bodies and sexuality: marriage and singleness. The apostle Paul addresses both gifts, stating that while he personally prefers singleness, each person has their own gift from God. It is difficult in any culture to value both of them equally. The challenge for us is to elevate and honor both marriage and singleness as sacred gifts from God within the church. Historically, the church has elevated one gift over another at different times. There are even early church debates questioning whether married individuals could attain the same spiritual virtue as those who are celibate and single. Today, marriage seems more valued in most churches than singleness, despite nearly half of U.S. adults being single. It is a hard lesson, but if our church is not interacting with singleness, then we aren’t being faithful to Scripture. We must seek to elevate and honor both, especially when it seems complicated.
2. One Goal
Paul elevates both gifts of marriage and singleness by showing how they are different ways God assigns or calls people to live out the same overarching goal of undivided devotion to the Lord (v. 17). He presents a rule for all Christians in whatever condition they were called to “remain with God” (v.24). You are not alone. God is faithful even amid the toughest struggles. For those called to marriage, the goal is to concentrate your love on your spouse and children so they might live devoted to Christ. For those called to singleness, the goal is devoting yourself exclusively to the Lord so that all kinds of people might witness the satisfying fullness of God's love in your life. Though the expressions differ, the core purpose remains the same - a wholehearted and embodied commitment to Jesus as Lord.
3. One Body
Based on the sexual culture of the Greco-Roman world at that time, Paul likely recognized that the church in Corinth struggled to view marriage and singleness as true gifts from God and to live out faithful sexual ethics. While many affirm the Christian sexual ethic intellectually, it is another matter entirely to live it out in one body comprised of people from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of contentment and struggle. Paul addressed at least six different groups of people in this section alone. If any group is isolated, looked down upon, or left to "figure it out" alone, then the church fails to be the body of Christ where all gifts are mutually shared. Embracing God's design for embodied life requires all kinds of believers to live in unity with one another as equal but unique members of the body of Christ.
4. One Story
Amid the different stories of relationships in Corinth, Paul points them beyond themselves and their temporal conditions. He calls them to live as if unmarried (v. 29) - not weeping or rejoicing, or owning possessions - because the present form of this world is passing away (v. 31). With the imagery of a drama, Paul reminds us all that marriage and singleness are temporary parts in a greater story. This greater story begins with a human wedding in Genesis and culminates with the divine wedding in Revelation, where the church is the bride presented to Christ.
Everything in between is a love story where God’s covenant love and faithfulness meet our brokenness. Our story of marriage will end by presenting our spouse to Christ. Our story of singleness will end by presenting ourselves and those we have served to Jesus. Neither one can ultimately satisfy humanity's longing to be known and loved. Only Jesus, our bridegroom, can address sin, brokenness, and our deepest spiritual longings. All believers everywhere are called to play their assigned part, married or single, with the assurance that Jesus will remain eternally faithful.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What about the sermon most impacted you or left you with questions?
How are marriage and singleness both sacred gifts to the church? Which one is more valued in American evangelical culture? Secular culture? Has this changed in the course of your lifetime?
How do we elevate and honor both gifts of marriage and singleness in the church? Which one do you tend to elevate more? Why? What would honoring both change about the way you live your life now?
How are the goals of married Christians and single Christians different? How are they the same? What are some strengths and weaknesses of married and single Christians as they move toward the same goal?
Why is contentment so difficult in both marriage and singleness? How have you wrestled with contentment in either one or both? What has helped you grow in contentment over time?
Consider the different categories of relationships mentioned in this passage. What would it look like for married couples and singles to offer their gifts to one another as the body of Christ? What is something you can do in your current season to give the gift God has given you? to receive the gifts of singles or married couples/families?
How does the “greater story” help you contextualize your own marriage or singleness? What are some things only Jesus can satisfy that singleness or marriage will never satisfy? What does this tell you about God’s covenant with you?