Sex in Marriage is Good (1 Cor 7:1-7)

Sex, Marriage, Divorce, Widowed, Singleness (1 Corinthians 7:1-40)

• From 1 Cor 7, Paul responds to what they're asked him by stating "Now about…" (1 Cor 7:1, 25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1, 12).

• 1 Cor 7 has been widely misunderstood with Paul regarding sex as dirty or defiling, and of despising women.

• 1 Cor 7:1 comes not from Paul but from the Corinthians.

1. Why might the Corinthians think that it's good for the husband to not "touch" [have sex with] a woman (1 Cor 7:1, 34; Lk 20:34-35, 36)? Does Paul agree (1 Cor 7:2b-3)? Why could happen if couples avoid sex in marriage (1 Cor 7:2a; 6:15)? [Is marriage a less holy/spiritual state than being single and celibate?]

2. What does Paul tell married couples to continue doing (1 Cor 7:2b)? Why (1 Cor 7:4, 2a; 6:15)? What does this teach about the marriage relationship (Eph 5:21)? How does this challenge traditional views of hierarchy (Gal 3:28)?

3. What is Paul's one concession, and for what reason (1 Cor 7:5-6)? Is Paul grudgingly and reluctantly permitting marriage as a distasteful concession to lust?

4. What is Paul's wish and his own gift [charisma], that is different from that of others (1 Cor 7:7)? [Is singleness a gift? Is marriage a gift?]