Passage:1 Corinthians 7:1-9
Join us as our pastor, Jonathan Brooks, teaches on1 Corinthians 7:1-9.
In 1 Corinthians 7:1-9, the Corinthian church has taken Paul’s instructions about sexual immorality to an unhealthy extreme. You can see that in verse 1 where he quotes what they have written to him: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” It seems that some in the church were now teaching that any kind of sexual relation – even within marriage – was forbidden. It was good for it not to happen at all – ever – in any context. This is classic asceticism – the assumption that the best way to fight against sin is to go to the extreme. If sexual relations are sinful in some contexts, then it should be avoided in all contexts.
So, what is Paul’s answer? The Corinthians are claiming that they should engage in some kind of sexual asceticism. Paul, however, has a different answer both for married couples and single individuals. How do you fight against sexual temptation for the glory of Jesus? How should we pursue holiness in relation to sexual temptation?
So, what is Paul’s answer? The Corinthians are claiming that they should engage in some kind of sexual asceticism. Paul, however, has a different answer both for married couples and single individuals. How do you fight against sexual temptation for the glory of Jesus? How should we pursue holiness in relation to sexual temptation?
- Married couples pursue holiness by giving themselves to their spouse. (2-5)
- Singles who are gifted by God pursue holiness by remaining single. (6-8)
- Singles who are not gifted by God pursue holiness by desiring marriage. (9)