The General Law of Marriage (1 Corinthians 7:1–2)

Beginning with the seventh chapter, the holy Apostle Paul starts to answer the letter sent to him by the Corinthians and resolves the various difficulties that arose among them, while also providing them with instructions about the order of Christian life. First and foremost he gives instructions on: 1) marriage and 2) celibacy. “Having corrected three grave defects—first, the division of the Church; second, the wickedness of the incestuous man; and third, that of the lover of gain (lawsuits)—the Apostle now speaks more gently and at the outset offers instruction and counsel regarding marriage and virginity” (holy Chrysostom).

1. On marriage (1 Cor. 7:1–24)

In expounding the teaching on marriage, the Apostle a) first establishes a general law concerning it; then gives b) instructions on the use of the marriage bed; c) counsel to the unmarried and widows; and d) a lesson on the indissolubility of marriage.

d) The general law concerning marriage (1 Cor. 7:1–2)

Briefly put, it is this: it is better to remain unmarried, but to avoid fornication, marry.

1 Cor. 7:1. Now concerning the matters about which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman.

“Now concerning the matters about which you wrote to me”—the sentence is incomplete; it must be supplied: here is what I will say, or here is my answer! “The Apostle clearly shows that he is writing answers to the questions that were proposed to him” (Theodoret). “It is good for a man not to touch a woman”—not to touch at all, and therefore not to enter into marriage either. The thought that the Apostle is speaking this to those already married, on the idea that it would be good for husband and wife to live as brother and sister, is not permitted by the words that follow, where in contrast to this place it is said: let a man have a wife, and a woman a husband. Saint Chrysostom on this very place about not touching a woman says: “If you seek the highest good, it is better not to marry a woman at all; if, however, you seek a state that is safe and suited to your weakness, then enter into marriage.” Theophylact understands the Apostle’s meaning in the same way. “It is an excellent thing for every person (not for a priest only, as some wrongly interpret)—to refrain entirely from touching a woman and to preserve virginity; for the weak, however, marriage is more secure.”

1 Cor. 7:2. But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.

To have a wife, to have a husband means to marry, to enter into marriage; not to have relations after already entering into marriage. The Apostle says: let every weak man marry, and let every weak woman marry. Why? “Because of the temptation to sexual immorality,” so as not to fall into fornication from lack of self-control. Marriage has other purposes as well; but the Apostle points out the side of celibacy that is dangerous for morality. It is better, he says, to be free from marriage, but whoever cannot endure this state as one ought, it is better for him to marry. He introduces two states into Christianity. In both one can please God and be saved; but in the first, this is done more easily; in the second, less easily. One may add that a married person cannot attain the spiritual perfection that the unmarried can attain. Marriage is for the weak. This weakness is both bodily and spiritual. There are temperaments of the body that incline more to lust, and there are temperaments that are more sober (cold); likewise there is a zealous spirit that is strong, and there is a zeal that is weak. One who is strongly zealous for the salvation of his spirit can overcome nature itself, with God’s grace that provides that zeal; but one who has little zeal and a sober temperament will not prevail. The choice is left to prudence and self-knowledge. Some wish to derive from the Apostle’s words an obligation to marry; but one could derive the opposite, if we left the decision to our own reasoning. Let us rather fix our attention on the exhortation that the holy Paul gives here to the married. “By the very reason for permitting marriage, he urges the married to self-control” (holy Chrysostom). “If marriage is allowed because of fornication, then the married ought not come together without restraint, but maintain themselves in possible sobriety” (Theophylact). Animals, acting by instinct, experience arousal once a year, for which marriage is established among men.