How did pagans under idolatry view marriage and marital fidelity?
Under idolatry, pagans regarded marriage as merely a means to propagate the family, not as a bond requiring moral integrity or fidelity. They knew nothing of marital faithfulness, so the Corinthian believers' new biblical standard confused them, prompting questions about whether it was right to marry.
Les explains that the Corinthian congregation came out of an abject, immoral, idolatrous background, and they were hung up on the marriage relationship that now is Biblical compared to what it was in paganism. In paganism under idolatry, the marriage relationship didn't amount to much; it was just a place to propagate the family. As for any moral integrity or fidelity of the marriage relationship, the pagans knew nothing of that. So the Corinthians were going off the deep end, asking, 'Is it right for us to marry?' Paul then clarifies that 'it is good for a man not to touch a woman' does not mean they shouldn't get involved and get married. Rather, in light of chapter 6, believers—men and women—must be careful in their contact with people of the opposite sex in everyday experiences. Paul's phrase means a man should not get physically involved with a woman to excite the sexual senses. It does not ban shaking hands with women; even the early church granted the holy kiss, much like Middle Easterners still do.