What does 1 Corinthians 7:1 mean?

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 1 Corinthians 7:1

Explanation

1 Corinthians 7:1 addresses concerns about marital relations and the unmarried state, showing Apostle Paul’s response to a letter from the Corinthian church. The verse can be understood literally as recommending abstinence from physical intimacy, with Paul seemingly endorsing celibacy or singleness as a good, possibly superior, state. However, the deeper meaning suggests a nuanced approach to sexuality, marriage, and self-control within Christian life. Paul is not condemning marriage but may be elevating the virtues of single life for those who can handle the associated challenges, especially in devoting time to the Lord without distraction.

Historical Context

Written by Paul in the mid-First Century CE, this epistle is a response to a complex, cosmopolitan Corinth rife with moral and ethical dilemmas. Corinth was notorious for its sexual permissiveness, influenced by Greco-Roman culture. Paul’s epistles often addressed questions about how Christians should live amid such environments. It’s likely that the Corinthian church, confronted with the immorality of their city, sought Paul’s advice on how to live godly lives, including whether to abstain from sexual relations altogether, even within marriage.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, the verse has been interpreted in various ways:

• Celibacy and Asceticism: Some traditions view it as promoting asceticism, suggesting that celibacy is the ideal spiritual state.
• Marriage and Sexuality: Other theologians argue that Paul is setting boundaries for sexuality within the Christian life, emphasizing self-control rather than the outright denouncement of marriage.
• Contextual Ethics: A contemporary view may suggest that Paul was speaking to a specific situation in Corinth, and his counsel should be understood as a response to that context rather than a universal mandate.

Practical Applications

The practical applications of this verse in daily life could include:

• Discernment in Relationships: Individuals may be encouraged to practice restraint and discernment in their intimate relationships.
• Focus on Spiritual Growth: Those who are single may find affirmation in focusing their energies on spiritual pursuits without viewing marriage as a requirement.
• Marriage as a Choice: The idea that marriage is not an obligatory state for Christians, but a choice that can either help or hinder one’s spiritual life, depending on the individual’s circumstances.

Cross-References

• Matthew 19:12 – [But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given.]
• 1 Corinthians 7:7-9 – [For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.]
• 1 Corinthians 7:25-26 – [Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.]

Language Study

In the phrase “touch a woman,” the Greek word for “touch” (haptomai) can imply sexual relations. This choice of words is significant as it indicates Paul is discussing more than mere physical contact; he’s addressing the full spectrum of intimate relations, potentially including sexual intercourse.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The Stoic philosophy of ancient Greece advocated for self-control, which parallels Paul’s promotion of celibacy for the sake of spiritual pursuits. Within the Jewish tradition, marriage and procreation were highly valued, contrasting with Paul’s standpoint that celibacy could be preferable. Paul’s teaching on celibacy and marriage was unusual for the time and reflects a new approach introduced by Christianity.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern psychological and sociological studies suggest that healthy relationships, including sexual ones, contribute to emotional and mental well-being. The implication of Paul’s advice on celibacy can be contested when viewed through this scientific lens; however, the emphasis may be on the suitability of celibacy for some individuals, rather than as a blanket rule for all.

Commentaries

Scholars and religious commentators offer various insights on 1 Corinthians 7:1:

• F.F. Bruce: He suggests that Paul might be advocating for celibacy because of an imminent crisis or persecution, making married life more burdensome.
• Gordon D. Fee: Fee interprets Paul as responding to a specific situation in Corinth, where perhaps the church had adopted a slogan about sexual abstinence that Paul partially refutes and corrects.
• John Calvin: The reformer saw in this verse a permission, rather than a command, reflecting the broader Christian freedom regarding marriage and celibacy.