As the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk

One of the most complex matters in any spiritual life is that of relationships. First century Corinth had many parallels with practices in our own society and Paul knew it was important to address the issue. What blessing could be brought to Christian marriage through a careful consideration of this chapter!

In the previous chapter Paul has emphasized the need to flee fornication. One way to achieve that objective might be to marry, but let us appreciate what Christian marriage requires. We are to ‘render . . . due benevolence’, v. 3. This is expected of both partners - there is an equality of responsibility between the sexes. Rather than exercise our personal rights we defer to the other. What we do within the marriage relationship should be governed by mutual consent, for a specified time, and for a defined spiritual purpose, v. 5.

Sadly, there may come a time where there is a breakdown in a Christian marriage. That separation may be temporary or it may become permanent. In this situation the apostle is clear, ‘Let . . . [them] remain unmarried’, v. 11. However, there is the matter where one of the couple is a believer and the other is not, and scripture offers help here. Overall, the believer should seek to maintain the relationship in the hope that actions towards the unbelieving partner might be the means of bringing them to salvation. Sometimes the maintenance of the relationship is not possible, but, if all attempts have been made, then believers should not blame themselves for the failure; they are ‘not under bondage in such cases’, v. 15.

In the closing section of the chapter the apostle seeks to summarize his spiritual advice. Single people should consider remaining in that state - having an ability to care ‘for the things that belong to the Lord’, v. 32. Single people may wish to marry, and this is acceptable provided it is ‘only in the Lord’, v. 39. It is acceptable that one who has lost a marriage partner may remarry, provided, again, that they marry a believer.

In a world where relationships are entered into so casually, let us teach these biblical principles to every believer!