7:1–40 Marriage problems

This is the longest discussion of sexuality and related matters in all of Paul’s letters. It contains vital information on issues not touched upon elsewhere. Failure to understand the circumstances which gave rise to the problems written about in 7:1 and 7:25 has meant that valuable teaching on singleness and marriage has been ignored.

Concerning the circumstances: one clue rests in the letter itself, for Paul refers to the present crisis in 7:26 which gave rise to Christians rethinking the appropriateness of engaged couples getting married (7:25). There is firm archaeological and literary evidence which indicates that there had been food shortages in Corinth during this period. These were inevitably accompanied by panic buying and riots because of social unrest and uncertainty about the future. Eleven inscriptions to the same person who was three times in charge of the grain supply in Corinth have been uncovered from this period. This office was only filled in times of famine, so there is good reason for connecting the crisis with the threat of famine. Tacitus also records earthquakes and famines. Many believed that these were divine portents. We know that Christians believed that the signs of the tribulation would be famines and earthquakes, and a blessedness was pronounced on those who were not pregnant (Mt. 24:7, 19; Mk 13:17). Here Paul not only answers their immediate questions but also provides an important framework in which Christian marriage is to be seen.

4-7 Christian love is now described positively and negatively. Its positive characteristics are patience (slow to become resentful), kindness, delight in the truth, and a protective, trusting, hopeful, and persevering attitude. Verses 4b-6a state love's characteristics negatively. "Is not rude" may refer obliquely to the disorderly conduct at worship (11:2-16; 14). Love "keeps no record of wrongs"; indeed, for love to keep a record of wrongs violates its nature. Love does not rejoice in evil, in which it has no part; but it does "rejoice with" the truth, with which it does have a part.

Furthermore, love covers the faults of others rather than delighting in them (v.7). It is trusting, optimistic, and willing to endure persecution (cf. Ro 5:3-4). In short, it "perseveres".

4 From love for the badly treated the author turns to love within the marriage bond. The opening expression implies an imperative: "Let marriage be held in honor." "By all" probably means "in all circumstances." Some ascetics held marriage in low esteem, but the author of Hebrews rejects this position. "The marriage bed" is a euphemism for sexual intercourse. He considers the physical side of marriage important and "pure." Contrary to the views of some thinkers in the ancient world, there is nothing defiling about it. Over against honorable marriage he sets the "sexually immoral" and the "adulterer" (a word used for a violation of the marriage bond).

All forms of sexual sin come under the judgment of God. This was a novel view to many in the first century. For them chastity was an unreasonable demand to make. It is one of the unrecognized miracles that Christians were able not only to make this demand but to make it stick. Sexual sinners are likely to go their way, careless of all others. But in the end they will be judged by none less than God.