Chapter 7 in I Corinthians reads rather like a modern advice column. Paul gives his advice, believing a lot of it is just his opinion, on the complexities and complications of marriage in the culturally diverse and confusing environment in Corinth.
We were, once again, impressed by Paul's thoughtfulness, gentleness, and even-handedness in treating a sensitive topic. He seems to be speaking here not just to men, but with an awareness of the feelings of women. It is clear he is speaking kindly to people in the Corinthian church who have questions about how to conduct themselves in marital relationships where culture and custom clash.
In Paul's view, love and marriage are complicated for a Christian, not just because of the distracting heat of sexual passion but because of the risks and work required to be married and raise a family. He himself seems thankful and content with the relative simplicity of being single, and though he would wish this state upon others, he concedes that celibacy is not for everyone. "Better to marry than to burn"!
He is also sensitive and gracious concerning questions about marriage between Christians and non-Christians, unions which, perhaps, were even then becoming more common in an increasingly pluralistic world. Rather than taking a hard line and prohibiting people with different beliefs from marrying, he suggests that the Christian in the relationship provides a blessing to his or her mate and children.
Throughout his discussion we assume a rather modern dynamic: that spouses and children are free to make their own choices about their beliefs, rather than being bound to those of the husband and father.
Paul is also clear in this discussion about his belief in a coming radical change in the world. "the time is short", he says -- "this world in its present form is passing away." I hear an echo of Jesus' teaching about marriage -- how in the kingdom of heaven people will neither marry nor be given in marriage.
Questions remain for me. I like being married, and all that it entails. The blessed complications are part of the richness of my life. I'm glad to think that Paul would say I have not sinned. : )
Next Sunday, February 13, we will read Chapter 8, with a view toward moving quickly through the rest of I Corinthians in the next few weeks.
-- Pastor Dan
