'Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. '

1 Corinthians 7:1-5 https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1CO.7.1-5

• In the previous chapters, Paul addresses sexual immorality in the church
• Sex is a right within marriage, not just a thing on top and both parties have to give that right to their partner
• “each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband” → the word “have” here refers to sex and is the Greek word echetō, which is to seek something
  • Paul’s point isn’t to marry to have sex, rather, it’s to have sex with your spouse to avoid sexual sin
• The authority over your body is your partner’s right so do not deprive one another
  • Christian marriage is a mutual surrender of yourself to meet the needs of the other person
  • Note that this is under the confines of a proper Christian marriage defined by self-sacrificing love
    • So you can’t just be demanding or unkind in this sexual relationship either because that would objectify your spouse → learn to not insist on this right to sex
  • The idea that both parties have authority over each others’ bodies expresses this idea that 2 become 1 and focuses on mutual submission
    • Surrendering your right over your own body is expressed through sex, it’s part of your marital commitment to become one
  • The only time where your body is someone else or God’s is to do with sexuality in marriage and sin
• Do not deprive one another
  • You shouldn’t force sex on each other nor should you withhold it
  • There’s an implied regular sexual union that happens in marriage
• But there are times you should deprive on another by agreement for a limited time to channel that energy towards prayer and come together again so that Satan doesn’t tempt you with lust
  • Agreement implies that it’s consensual to not partake and takes both parties
  • Paul acknowledges that sex is hard to refrain from

'Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. '

1 Corinthians 7:6-7 https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1CO.7.6-7

• This is not a command, but Paul’s perspective that everyone has the gift of celibacy
  • He sees the ability to be unburdened by strong sexual desire as a gift

'To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. '

1 Corinthians 7:8-9 https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1CO.7.8-9

• This is not a command but advice from Paul: marry if you cannot exercise self-control because it’s better to marry than have it be a burden
  • Sex is made to burn with passion
• The context doesn’t suggest someone who is oversexed or obsessed with sex but is in contract to those with the gift of celibacy. If you have a strong desire for sexual activity, you should pursue marriage
  • Again, marriage made isn’t for sex but is the place for sexual desire to be fulfilled
  • Marriage also does not remove sexual temptations or desires

'To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. '

1 Corinthians 7:10-11 https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1CO.7.10-11