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THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER VOLUME 4, NUMBER 12, MARCH 21, 2004 QUESTIONS ABOUT 1 CORINTHIANS 7 Last week, in the context of an examination of different aspects of 1 Corinthians 7, I attempted to answer a series of questions that were placed in the suggestion box in the foyer. The questions had to do with birth control. There was one final question that I did not have room to address. Here it is as presented by the questioner. “Another issue: creating multiple embryos but implanting a few. What happens to those other small lives?” This is a good question and while I am not an expert on this subject, I do know just a little bit about it. In the cases among brethren where this procedure has been used that I am aware of, all of the viable fertilized eggs were given the opportunity to implant. The outcome was completely up to God and the laws of nature that He established. In such cases where fertilized eggs are simply discarded or thrown away – and I don’t know that that happens, but if it does – that would be clearly abortive in nature and contrary to God’s law. Now let us return to 1 Corinthians 7 itself. In the first 7 verses Paul discussed the general responsibilities and obligations of the husband and wife in the marriage relationship. In the next 9 verses he gives some special counsel to the different marital circumstances in Corinth. Verse 8, “But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.” The word “unmarried” refers to all unmarried: virgins, bachelors, widowers and widows. The addition of the word “widows” appears to be for emphasis. Actually the clause could be read “I say therefore to the unmarried, and especially to the widows.” Paul’s advice in this verse to the unmarried is to remain unmarried. In 1 Timothy 5 Paul’s advice to the younger widows was to marry, bear children, and guide the house. Here in 1 Corinthians 7 he advises them not to remarry, or to stay single (which is the meaning of “it is good for them to remain even as I”). The reason for this difference must be due to “the present distress” of verse 26. This “present distress” was the persecution many in the church were enduring. Paul knew that those who were married would have additional burdens and concerns that they would not have if they were single. In view of the “present distress” it would be more expedient for them to remain unmarried. Note that it would be more expedient – but not morally necessary or superior. Verse 9, “But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn.” This verse refers to the power of an individual over his physical desires of the type being discussed in this chapter. The idea is that of constant control over these types of desires. Paul is saying that if a person does not have this control over these physical desires than he or she should marry. It is more useful, more profitable, to marry than to burn – meaning to be consumed with the fire of physical desire. “To burn” does not refer to future punishment in this context. To sum up Paul’s advice to the unmarried he was saying that in view of “the present distress” to remain unmarried was more expedient. But if sexual desire was difficult to control for an individual, than marry. To marry was not wrong. Verses 10-11 contain admonitions for married Christians. The passage says, “But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband, (but if she does leave, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not send his wife away.” In verses 8-9, Paul had given his advice only since being married or remaining single was optional. In these verses he commands. What Paul is teaching in verses 10-11 is not optional. One either obeys or is in rebellion against God. The Lord has clearly taught the permanent nature of marriage in such passages as Matthew 5:31-32, Matthew 19:4-9, Mark 10:11-12, and Luke 16:18. The word translated as “leave” in these verses in 1 Corinthians 7 means “to separate, be separated (used with reference to divorce).” The point is that spouses have made a commitment to one another and to God that must be honored. They cannot just walk away from it. To simply walk away from a marriage for any reason other than fornication is sin. However, people being as they are, some would probably choose not to honor their promise and commitment. In such a case there are only two alternatives available. They are (1) remain single. Do not add yet another sin by entering into an unauthorized marriage, or (2) be reconciled to your spouse. There is a tendency to view a permanent legal separation as different from divorce. That is a completely man-made idea. The Scriptures do not make such a distinction. With separation the sin of “depriving one another” mentioned in verse 5 comes into play. Next week we will try to look at perhaps the most difficult verses of the entire chapter, verses 12-16. Greg Litmer
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