An Aid for Sexual Fornication (1 Corinthians 7:1-5)
o 1 Corinthians 7:1 Paul uses the conjunction Now (δέ ĕ) deh, which is used to show that he is making a transition from 1 Corinthians 5:1-6:20. Paul goes from talking about discipline in the local assembly because of sexual sin to now talking about sex within marriage.
o good is καλός (ŏs) meaning something good in character and quality.
o to touch is ἅπτομαι (ŏmai) meaning *to touch, apply oneself to*, here it is used as a euphemism for sexual relations (cf. Genesis 20:6; Ruth 2:9; Proverbs 6:29).
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o 1 Corinthians 7:2 Paul commanded this in 1 Corinthians 6:18. Paul not only commands to Flee fornication, but also gives us a clue, an aid in avoiding fornication, which is let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.**
o The Scriptures talk about marriage as a good thing, something to seek to be when you find someone with who you can be compatible with (Proverbs 5:18--19; Proverbs 18:22; Proverbs 19:14; Ephesians 5:28; Ephesians 5:33).
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o The Scriptures are specific that the sin of fornication is not acceptable for the Christian, even for us today in the Age of Grace (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 5:9--11; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; cf. Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5-6).
o Paul here in 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 is writing that according to the Scriptures, sexual relations is to only be in the bonds of marriage between one man and one woman (Genesis 1:26-28), which reveals to us the sacredness of the marital relationship.
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o Though it goes against how we were created; celibacy may have some benefits. But to mandate celibacy as some faiths do, only leads to fornication, and according to Paul, marriage is the solution. Fornication, or any sexual relations outside of marriage never promotes sexuality with how it was designed, a selfless act of pleasure and for procreation. The sexual revolution of the 1960s never solved the problems of fornication, but instead it encouraged fornication**, and led to abortion becoming legal in 1973.
o 1 Corinthians 7:3 render is ἀποδίδωμι (ŏdidōmi) from ó, *from* and ídōmi, to give. Thus, it means to completely give.
o due benevolence is ὀφείλω (ŏphĕilō) meaning *that **the husband ought to be giving or treating his wife** kindness and goodwill*.
o 1 Corinthians 7:4 power is ἐξουσιάζω (ĕxŏusiazō) meaning *to wield or exercise authority*.
o Paul is saying that neither spouse is *to wield or exercise authority* over the other. The marriage relationship is with two equals making one. Trouble arises in a marriage when one usurps the other, or when one allows the other to usurp. Paul deals with relationships in general in 2 Corinthians 6:14.
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o Genesis 1:26-28 In the Garden of Eden, before man sinned, we are told that man and woman were naked...and were not ashamed (Genesis 2:25). This shows us that marriage provides a no judgment zone in which both spouses can be completely naked and unashamed, so that it can be fully enjoyed by both.
o 1 Corinthians 7:5 Defraud is ἀποστερέω (ŏstĕrĕō) meaning *to steal, to deprive one another, speaking of sexual relations*.
o Paul now explains why it is permissible to deprive one another, to abstain from relations in a marriage.
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o consent** is σύμφωνος (ōnŏs) from ún, together, and ōnḗ, a sound, voice, and in context means to come to a mutual agreement. Only time in found in the Greek Scriptures.
o for a time meaning *for a brief period of time, a season*.
o ye may give yourselves is σχολάζω (ŏlazō) from ḗ, meaning* to have leisure* and how we get our word for school.
o σχολάζω (ŏlazō) means to be free from labor so that you can pursue other interests, such as learning. This verb is only found twice in the Greek Scriptures (Matthew 12:44).
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o fasting** which is abstaining from food. Nowhere in the Scriptures are we commanded to fast.
o come together again or to go back again where you once were, meaning to come together to have sexual relations.
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o incontinency** is ἀκρασία (akrasia) meaning without strength or self-control and in this context, one who cannot control their sexual impulses. Found only twice in the Greek Scriptures (Matthew 23:25).
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o Paul writes that withholding sexual relations within a marriage is to steal, to deprive the other spouse, and should only be done with mutual consent, so that one of the spouses won't go into fornication**.
