Singleness, marriage, re-marriage, and divorce principles (1 Corinthians 7:1-23)

Verse 1-7 God’s view of singleness is good and equal to marriage as long as it is done celibately. The temptation to sin sexually is high; so marriage is the good permissible option to fulfill natural sexual desire of both husbands and wives. (Verse 3-4) God warns married partners not to live as celibates since Satan is able to capitalize on weak self control. (Verse 5) Contented singleness is a gift from God and allows more fruitful service unto the Lord and marriage bears fruit also. (Verse 7) Both marriage and celibacy are good and proper options.

Verse 8-9 Contented celibacy or remarriage are appropriate options for widows and the divorced. God commands Christians not to divorce their spouses except for adultery. (Verse 11) Unless the divorce was caused by adultery; divorced Christians are to remain single or reconcile. (Verse 11)

Verse 10-16 teaches that Christians are not to divorce their un-believer spouses (except for reason of adultery or if the unbeliever initiates the divorce in which case they must allow the unbeliever to divorce) the believing spouse provides a godly witness to both the unbelieving spouse and the children; sanctifying the entire family. Verse 16 reminds Christian spouses that evangelism is not a valid reason to disallow an un-believing spouse to divorce if peace is impossible.

Verse 17-23 God desires that people live contently whether single or married and does not want his children to live in dissatisfaction or anxiety. Being a Christian does not nullify other human institutions or social situations like racial or cultural identity, marital, employment status or imprisonment. Rather; a Christian is able to live sinless and is free to please his God in whatever position He or She finds themselves when called by God. (Verse 22) Our concern as Christians is not to allow the world system to cause us to sin. (Daniel 1:8)