Read 1 Corinthians 7:1–24
The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her
husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to
him alone but also to his wife.
1 Corinthians 7:4
As in all things, the spiritual must govern the physical, for the bodies of believers are God’s temples (6:19). The husband and wife may
abstain from sex in order to devote their full interest to prayer and
fasting (7:5), but they must not use this abstinence as an excuse for
prolonged separation. Paul encouraged Christian partners to be “in
tune” with each other in matters both spiritual and physical.
Not only did the Corinthian church ask Paul about celibacy (vv.
1–9), but they also asked him about divorce (vv. 10–16). He wrote
that if divorce does occur, the parties should remain unmarried or
seek reconciliation. It has been my experience as a pastor that when
a husband and wife are yielded to the Lord and when they seek to
please each other in the marriage relationship, the marriage will be
so satisfying that neither partner will think of looking elsewhere for
fulfillment.
Something to Ponder
For what reasons do you think married couples begin to withhold sex
from each other? What are the potential consequences of doing so?