Paul teaches that marriage serves to prevent sexual immorality and to provide a faithful, caring relationship between husband and wife.
In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul advises that to avoid immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. He also describes marriage as a 50-50 relationship where spouses meet each other's needs and do not withhold affection. Les Feldick emphasizes that marriage is honorable and the marriage bed is undefiled, countering any idea that Paul is anti-marriage.
1 Corinthians 7:2 — This verse directly states the purpose of marriage to avoid sexual immorality.
Hebrews 13:4 — Paul declares marriage honorable and the bed undefiled, affirming the purity of marital relations.
In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul writes, "Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband" (1 Cor. 7:2). He further instructs, "Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband" (1 Cor. 7:3), and warns, "Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer" (1 Cor. 7:5). In Hebrews 13:4, Paul (as Les attributes) states, "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." This affirms that marriage is pure and that sexual relations within it are not defiled, while immorality is judged.
Les clarifies that Paul is not anti-marriage. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul answers a question about whether it is good not to touch a woman, but Les insists Paul is not forbidding marriage. He points to Hebrews 13:4 to show marriage is honorable and the marriage bed undefiled, countering Victorian extremes. Les explains that Paul's purpose in marriage is first to avoid sexual immorality: "If they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn" (1 Cor. 7:9). He applies this to those who cannot control their desires and are tempted to commit adultery—they are better off married. Additionally, Les teaches that marriage is a 50-50 relationship where each spouse is aware of the other's sexual needs, and neither should withhold the marriage bed as a lever. He also notes that in the pagan Corinthian context, marriage lacked sanctity, but Paul elevates it. Ultimately, Paul also uses marriage as a picture of Christ and the church, as seen in Ephesians 5 and 2 Corinthians 11, where believers are espoused to Christ.
Les directly addresses this, saying, "He is not anti-marriage." He points to Hebrews 13:4 where Paul says marriage is honorable and the marriage bed undefiled. He also notes that in 1 Corinthians 7, Paul is answering a question about not touching a woman, but that doesn't mean believers can't marry.
Les explains that in 1 Corinthians 7:2, Paul says to avoid immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. He clarifies that if someone cannot control their sexual desires and is tempted to commit adultery, it is better to marry than to burn (1 Cor. 7:9). This is a safeguard against promiscuity.
Les teaches that marriage is a 50-50 situation where the husband is aware of the wife's needs and the wife of the husband's. He says spouses should not "defraud" each other by withholding sexual relations except for mutual consent (1 Cor. 7:5). He warns against using sex as a lever against a spouse, which is a common warning in marriage counseling.
Les explains that Corinth was a city of pagans, and the pagan world often had no real sanctity in marriage. Paul's instructions in 1 Corinthians 7 came against that backdrop, emphasizing the purity and honor of marriage.
Les points out that Paul also uses marriage as a picture of Christ and the church. In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul says he has espoused believers to one husband, Christ, to present them as a chaste virgin. In Ephesians, he speaks of a great mystery concerning Christ and the church. This elevates the purpose of marriage beyond just physical union.
Marriage Is Honorable
Les clarifies Paul is not anti-marriage, citing Hebrews 13:4 that marriage is honorable and the bed undefiled.
Higher Purpose: Christ and Church
Les sees Paul's reference to marriage as a picture of Christ and the church, elevating its purpose.
Better to Marry Than to Burn
Les explains that if believers cannot control their sexual desires and are tempted to immorality, they should marry to avoid sin.
Espoused to Christ
Les explains that Paul uses marriage imagery to show believers are espoused to Christ, the husband.
Spouses' Mutual Needs
Les teaches that marriage is a 50-50 relationship where spouses meet each other's sexual needs and should not withhold affection.
Corinth's Pagan Context
Les notes that Corinth was pagan with no sanctity in marriage, setting the stage for Paul's instructions on Christian marriage.
What the Bible Really Says About Marriage — 1 Corinthians 7 Explained
And so unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, let not the wife depart from her husband, and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to the husband. And let the husband, by the same token, not put away his wife. Verse 12. But to the rest I speak, not the Lord.
God's Stamp of Approval
Les affirms that God put His stamp of approval on marriage from the Garden, and Paul says the marriage bed is undefiled.
1 Corinthians 7:2: Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
This is Paul's primary statement that marriage prevents sexual immorality.
1 Corinthians 7:3: Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
This shows mutual obligations in marriage.
1 Corinthians 7:4: The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
Paul emphasizes mutual ownership in marriage.
1 Corinthians 7:5: Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
Paul warns against withholding sexual relations from each other.
1 Corinthians 7:9: But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
This supports marriage as a remedy for uncontrolled desires.
Hebrews 13:4: Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Paul affirms the honor and purity of marriage, contrasting with immorality.
No, Les Feldick clarifies that Paul is not anti-marriage. He points to Hebrews 13:4 where Paul says marriage is honorable and the marriage bed undefiled. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul is answering a question about celibacy but encourages marriage as a safeguard against immorality.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:2 that marriage is to avoid sexual immorality. He also emphasizes that marriage is a mutual relationship where spouses meet each other's needs and do not withhold affection. Les Feldick adds that Paul uses marriage as a picture of Christ and the church.
Marriage provides a faithful, exclusive sexual relationship within a covenant. Paul says each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband to avoid fornication (1 Cor. 7:2). If someone cannot contain their desires, it is better to marry than to burn (1 Cor. 7:9).
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