1 Corinthians 7:1

The Apostle Paul begins a significant section of his letter to the Corinthian church, addressing specific questions they had posed to him in writing. The phrase "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me" serves as a direct acknowledgement that Paul is not issuing a general, unsolicited command, but rather providing inspired counsel in response to their unique circumstances and inquiries about marriage, celibacy, and sexual relations. The city of Corinth was known for its widespread immorality, and it appears some believers, perhaps reacting against this pervasive looseness, had swung to an extreme ascetic view, advocating for complete abstinence even within marriage.

Context

First Corinthians is a letter filled with practical instructions addressing various issues within the early Christian community in Corinth, a bustling port city renowned for its pagan temples and prevalent sexual immorality. The church there was grappling with many challenges, including divisions, ethical dilemmas, and misunderstandings about spiritual gifts and Christian conduct. Chapter 7 specifically tackles questions related to marriage, divorce, and singleness, likely stemming from a faction within the church that believed spiritual superiority was achieved through complete sexual abstinence, even for married couples. Paul's response clarifies Christian ethics regarding these intimate matters, balancing spiritual ideals with practical realities and human nature.

Key Themes

• Response to Inquiry: This verse highlights Paul's pastoral approach, directly answering the congregation's specific questions, showing that Christian leaders should address the real-life concerns of their flock.
• The Value of Singleness (with Nuance): The statement "It is good for a man not to touch a woman" suggests that, for some, remaining single and celibate can be advantageous for spiritual devotion and undistracted service to the Lord. However, Paul immediately qualifies this in subsequent verses, emphasizing that this is not a universal command but a counsel for those who are able to receive it, particularly due to the "present distress" (1 Corinthians 7:26).
• Sexual Purity and Discipline: Underlying this verse is the broader theme of sexual purity and self-control within the Christian life, whether in marriage or singleness. Paul consistently champions purity (1 Corinthians 6:18).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "good" is kalon (καλόν), which means more than merely "permissible" or "not bad." It signifies something that is morally excellent, honorable, advantageous, or beneficial. Thus, Paul is saying that for certain individuals, or in certain contexts, abstaining from sexual relations (represented by "not to touch a woman," a common euphemism for sexual intercourse) is the more excellent or beneficial path. This doesn't mean marriage is inherently bad, but rather that singleness can be a superior state for dedicated service to God, if one has the gift of continence.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Corinthians 7:1 offers several insights:

1. Personal Convictions vs. Universal Commands: It reminds us that not all biblical statements are universal commands for every believer. Some are specific counsel for particular situations or individuals.
2. Valuing Singleness: The verse encourages a positive view of singleness as a valid and potentially beneficial state for spiritual focus and ministry, rather than merely a waiting period for marriage. Jesus Himself spoke of those who make themselves "eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake" (Matthew 19:12).
3. Marital Context: While this verse highlights the potential good of celibacy, it must be read in conjunction with the very next verse (1 Corinthians 7:2), where Paul immediately states, "Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." This demonstrates that marriage is God's ordained path for most people to express their sexuality within a holy covenant and to avoid sexual immorality.