Meaning of 1 Corinthians 7:2

This verse from 1 Corinthians 7:2, "But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband," directly addresses a pressing issue within the Corinthian church: the rampant presence of sexual immorality. Paul's counsel is not a blanket endorsement of marital sex as the only acceptable form of sexual expression, but rather a pragmatic solution to the specific problem of illicit sexual activity that had infiltrated the community. He is advocating for the establishment and fulfillment of marital fidelity as a primary means of combating widespread fornication, recognizing that within the bounds of marriage, sexual intimacy is intended to be a sacred and exclusive union.

Context and Background

The city of Corinth was notorious for its sensuality and the presence of a prominent Aphrodite temple, which facilitated religious prostitution. The Corinthian church, a new entity in this environment, was struggling to navigate the ethical demands of Christian life amidst deeply ingrained cultural norms. Issues of sexual purity were a significant concern for the Apostle Paul, as evidenced by his extensive discussions on the topic in this chapter and elsewhere in his epistles. The Corinthians had likely posed questions to Paul regarding marriage, celibacy, and sexual conduct, prompting his detailed responses.

Key Themes and Messages

The central theme is the sanctity and exclusivity of marital sexual intimacy as a bulwark against sexual sin. Paul's instruction emphasizes the mutual obligation within marriage to fulfill each other's sexual needs. It highlights that sexual relations are not merely for procreation but also for the mutual comfort, companionship, and expression of love between husband and wife. The verse also implicitly underscores the importance of order and boundaries in sexual matters, contrasting the chaos of uncontrolled lust with the divinely ordained structure of marriage.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse points to the foundational role of marriage in maintaining moral purity within the Christian community. It reminds believers that God designed sexual intimacy for the exclusive union of a married couple, thereby safeguarding individuals and relationships from the destructive consequences of fornication. For married individuals, it is a call to prioritize and nurture their sexual relationship as an act of faithfulness and love towards their spouse, reflecting the covenantal nature of God's relationship with His people. For those considering marriage, it establishes a clear biblical framework for sexual expression.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

In the broader biblical narrative, 1 Corinthians 7:2 aligns with the creation mandate in Genesis 2:24, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." This foundational text establishes marriage as the intended context for sexual union. Throughout Scripture, from the Song of Solomon's poetic celebration of marital love to the New Testament's repeated condemnations of sexual immorality, the consistent message is that sexual fidelity within marriage is a cornerstone of a righteous life and a reflection of God's own faithfulness.

Analogies

One analogy for this verse is that of a well-tended garden. Just as a gardener cultivates specific plants within designated plots, ensuring they receive the right nourishment and protection from pests, so too does God intend for sexual intimacy to flourish within the "garden" of marriage. Allowing it to spill outside these boundaries, as sexual immorality does, is akin to letting weeds overtake the cultivated plants, leading to decay and disorder. Another analogy is that of a sacred covenant. Marriage is a covenant before God, and the sexual intimacy within it is a vital expression of that covenantal bond, meant to be exclusive and protected, much like any sacred promise.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse is closely linked to other passages concerning marriage and sexual purity.

• 1 Corinthians 6:18-20: "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." This passage amplifies the severity of sexual immorality and its impact on the believer's body, which is a temple of the Holy Spirit.
• Hebrews 13:4: "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous." This verse reinforces the honor due to marriage and the sanctity of the marriage bed.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5: "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God." This passage directly links abstaining from sexual immorality with God's will for sanctification and self-control.