RSV ~ 1 Corinthians 7 Notes

1 Cor 7:1-40 | ISB Notes

Paul gives spiritual direction on marriage, celibacy, and widowhood. The chapter brings together instructions derived from Christ (7:10-11) and those formulated by Paul (7:12, 25).

1 Cor 7:1 | ISB Notes

Now concerning: A recurrent expression found throughout the letter (7:25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1). Paul uses it to address specific questions posed to him in a previous (now lost) letter from the Corinthians.

not to touch a woman: A euphemism meaning, “not to have sexual relations”. It may have been a motto of certain Corinthians (ascetics) who frowned upon marriage and the physical pleasures that accompany it (1 Tim 4:13). Paul treats the slogan as a half-truth that is ultimately misleading: Celibacy is good, but it does not nullify the goodness of marriage or the propriety of sexual relations within marriage.

1 Cor 7:5 | ISB Notes

Do not refuse one another: The conjugal rights shared by husband and wife provide a safeguard against infidelity (7:3-4). The withdrawal of one spouse from marital relations could lead the other to seek illicit intimacy outside the marriage covenant.

agreement for a season: Married couples may abstain temporarily from relations. This creates opportunities for prayer and spiritual enrichment. Paul warns, however, that abstinence should not be unnecessarily protracted, otherwise Satan could manipulate the circumstances for evil. • Catholic teaching permits married couples, for just and serious reasons, to refrain periodically from sexual relations in the interests of child spacing and family planning (Pope Paul VI, Humanae Vitae 10, 16). Periodic continence can likewise promote spiritual discipline and self-mastery for both husband and wife (CCC 2368-70).

1 Cor 7:7 | ISB Notes

as I myself am: I.e., unmarried (7:8; 9:5). Paul upholds celibacy as the ideal state in life for believers, since its inherent freedom and flexibility are great advantages for serving Christ and his kingdom (CCC 922, 1618). He knows that marriage entails numerous commitments that can divide one’s heart between a spouse and the Lord (1 Cor 7:32-35). Unlike certain Corinthians, however, Paul portrays the single life as desirable but not mandatory; he thus permits marriage (7:28), even though he prefers celibacy (7:38). See note on Mt 19:12.

1 Cor 7:9 | ISB Notes

aflame with passion: Because sexual temptation is a danger for the young and unmarried, marriage is an appropriate station for those unable to restrain their passions. Marriage should nevertheless be pursued as a holy and fruitful partnership, not as an outlet for lust (1 Thess 4:3-5).

1 Cor 7:10 | ISB Notes

not I but the Lord: Paul’s teaching on divorce is directly mandated by Christ (Mk 10:2-12; Lk 16:18). Couples are strongly discouraged from seeking divorce because of personal dissatisfaction with marital relations and companionship. Should they choose to separate, their options are twofold: “remain single” or “be reconciled” (1 Cor 7:11). Like Jesus, Paul leaves no legitimate room for remarriage, since the bond of sacramental marriage is lifelong and can be dissolved only by the death of one of the spouses (7:39; Rom 7:2-3; CCC 2364, 2382).

See essay: Jesus on Marriage and Divorce at Mt 19.

1 Cor 7:12 | ISB Notes

I say, not the Lord: Paul offers pastoral direction for situations not addressed by Jesus’ teaching, i.e., marriages between baptized Christians and nonbelievers (disparity of cult). Though the difficulties facing these couples are formidable, they are not insurmountable. Indeed, Paul holds out the hope that a Christian spouse can be instrumental in the conversion of an unbelieving partner (7:14; 1 Pet 3:1-2; CCC 1634, 1637).

1 Cor 7:15 | ISB Notes

desires to separate: Paul’s ruling on the separation of a believer and a nonbeliever. • Canon Law later developed this principle into the Pauline privilege, which means that a marriage between two nonbaptized persons can be dissolved when one of the spouses is subsequently baptized. The privilege requires that the unbaptized spouse either desires to separate or refuses to cohabit peaceably without insult to the faith of the baptized partner. Also, the baptized spouse must not have given the other party just cause to desire separation. In virtue of the Pauline privilege a subsequent marriage dissolves the first marriage “in favor of the faith” of the baptized person (see CIC 1143 § 1-2).

1 Cor 7:17-24 | ISB Notes

Paul encourages Christians to be content with their state in life and set aside anxieties over unchangeable circumstances. To illustrate this for the married (7:1-16) and unmarried alike (7:25-35), he draws a lesson from different social situations: the circumcised and uncircumcised should not seek to change their condition (7:18), nor should slaves or freedmen think their position makes one more or less important to Christ (7:21-22). The state in which God calls them is the state in which they should serve him.

1 Cor 7:18 | ISB Notes

remove the marks of circumcision: A procedure associated with apostasy (1 Mac 1:15). For Paul, this surgical option would be pointless, since circumcision is not a sign of Christian faith (1 Cor 7:19).

1 Cor 7:19 | ISB Notes

neither circumcision . . . nor uncircumcision: The sign of circumcision no longer serves as an identity marker for God’s people in the New Covenant as it did under the Old (Gal 5:6; 6:15). Along with the entire body of ritual and sacrificial legislation established through Moses, the rite of circumcision came to fulfillment in the messianic age, when God began to circumcise the hearts of the faithful through Baptism (Deut 30:6; Col 2:11-12). Unlike these ceremonial laws, which are now obsolete, the moral commandments given through Moses continue to guide the children of God to spiritual maturity (CCC 1968, 1972).

1 Cor 7:21 | ISB Notes

a slave: Slavery was widespread and accepted in the Roman world. In many instances, slaves suffered maltreatment and hardship; in others, slaves were educated and charged with important administrative tasks. Paul encourages slaves to improve their situation whenever possible, implying that slavery as such is an offense against the dignity of the human person (CCC 2414).

1 Cor 7:25 | ISB Notes

Now concerning the unmarried: Paul addresses other questions posed to him by the Corinthians. See note on 1 Cor 7:1. As in 7:12, he offers his own advice on the topic of marriage and is not presenting them with specific instructions from the teaching of Christ.

1 Cor 7:26 | ISB Notes

impending distress: Or, “the present necessity”. It is uncertain whether Paul has something general or specific in mind. (1) If general, Paul recommends celibacy because of the perennial troubles that face married couples. The ordinary pressures of daily life can make an undistracted commitment to Christ a constant struggle. (2) If specific, Paul endorses the single life in light of the hostile and pagan environment of Corinth. He knows that persecutions will multiply hardships for married couples who are concerned for the welfare of each other and their children.

1 Cor 7:28 | ISB Notes

you do not sin: The clarification made here and at 7:36 is aimed at certain Corinthians who either discouraged or denounced marriage. Paul does not want his preference for celibacy to be misunderstood as a rejection of lawful matrimony. See notes on 1 Cor 7:1 and 7:7.

1 Cor 7:31 | ISB Notes

this world is passing away: Both marriage and its daily concerns will expire when the present age comes to an end (Lk 20:34-36). This puts marital struggles and worldly affairs in perspective, since only one’s relationship with the Lord endures forever (CCC 1619).

1 Cor 7:36-38 | ISB Notes

Paul counsels men engaged to be married and presents them with two options: a man does “well” to marry his fiancée, but he does even “better” if he remains unmarried (7:38). The decision depends on whether he is disciplined enough to control his passions.

1 Cor 7:39 | ISB Notes

as long as he lives: The marriage bond endures as long as both spouses are living. When one of them dies, the union is dissolved (Rom 7:2-3) and the surviving partner is then allowed to remarry (1 Tim 5:14). .