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"Concerning the things of which you wrote to me..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 7:1

KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEMS

Paul was kept informed of the problems in the Corinthian Church because some of the members had written to him. He dealt with the problems as they surfaced. Much wisdom and skill were employed.

“Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me:
It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality,
let each man have his own wife,
and let each woman have her own husband.”
1 Corinthians 7:1-2

1. Use of euphemism

a) The subject brought up was delicate.

b) Thus, Paul used euphemistic language.

c) The word “touch” is euphemism for “sexual relationship”.

d) Casual sexual relationship was a common practice in Corinth.

e) The Church in Corinth needed to have clear instructions how to live as believers in the Lord.

f) Paul may have used euphemism but he was forthright and spiritual in his answers.

2. Sexual immorality

a) Paul knew the problems that existed in Corinth.

b) The city was known for immoral practices.

c) Prostitution was practised widely.

d) Clear teaching was needed to deal with the issue of immorality.

e) Paul’s addressing of this problem is a follow-through of what he wrote in 1 Corinthians 6.

3. The institution of marriage

a) “Let each man have his own wife”

i) Marriage was the answer given.

ii) Immorality was to be shunned.

b) “Let each woman have her own husband”

i) The problem of immorality did not only affect the man.

ii) It also affected the women.

iii) There were male prostitutes as there were female prostitutes.

iv) Hence, marriage was offered as the solution to the problem of sexual immorality.