1 Corinthians 7:5
Do not deprive each other, except by mutual consent and for a time, so you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you through your lack of self-control.
Do not deprive one another
This phrase emphasizes the mutual responsibility of spouses to fulfill each other's needs. The Greek word for "deprive" is "apostereō," which means to defraud or rob. In the context of marriage, it implies withholding physical affection or intimacy, which is considered a form of neglect. Historically, this reflects the early Christian understanding of marriage as a partnership where both parties have obligations to each other, countering any cultural norms that might have favored one spouse's needs over the other's.

except by mutual consent
The phrase underscores the importance of agreement and communication in marriage. The Greek "symphōnos" translates to "harmonious" or "in agreement," suggesting that any decision to abstain from intimacy should be made together. This reflects the biblical principle of unity in marriage, where decisions are made jointly, respecting each other's needs and desires.

and for a time
This indicates that any period of abstention should be temporary. The Greek "kairos" refers to a specific, appointed time, suggesting that such decisions should be purposeful and limited. Historically, this reflects the understanding that marriage is a continuous covenant, and any deviation from its norms should be carefully considered and not indefinite.

so that you may devote yourselves to prayer
Here, the purpose of temporary abstention is spiritual. The Greek "scholazō" means to be free for a task, indicating that the time is set aside for focused spiritual activity. This reflects the early Christian emphasis on prayer as a vital part of life, suggesting that even marital relations can be set aside for spiritual growth and communion with God.

Then come together again
This phrase emphasizes the importance of resuming marital relations. The Greek "sunerchomai" means to come together or assemble, highlighting the restoration of physical and emotional unity. Historically, this reflects the understanding that marriage is a continual coming together, both physically and spiritually, reinforcing the bond between husband and wife.

so that Satan will not tempt you
This warning highlights the spiritual danger of prolonged abstention. The Greek "peirazō" means to test or tempt, indicating that Satan seeks to exploit weaknesses. In the biblical context, this reflects the understanding that marriage is a safeguard against immorality, and neglecting its duties can open the door to temptation.

through your lack of self-control
The phrase points to human vulnerability. The Greek "akrasia" refers to a lack of self-restraint or discipline. This acknowledges the reality of human desires and the need for self-control, which is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:23). Historically, this reflects the early Christian teaching that self-control is essential in all areas of life, including marriage, to maintain holiness and fidelity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth, providing guidance on various issues, including marriage and sexual relations.

2. The Corinthian Church
A diverse and often troubled congregation in the city of Corinth, known for its moral and spiritual challenges.

3. Marriage
The institution of marriage is a central theme in this chapter, with Paul offering advice on marital relations and responsibilities.

4. Satan
Mentioned as a tempter, highlighting the spiritual warfare aspect of marital relations and the need for vigilance against temptation.
Teaching Points
Mutual Consent in Marriage
Paul emphasizes the importance of mutual consent in marital relations, highlighting the need for communication and agreement between spouses.

The Role of Prayer and Fasting
Temporary abstinence from marital relations is permissible for prayer and fasting, indicating the importance of spiritual disciplines in marriage.

Guarding Against Temptation
The warning against Satan's temptations serves as a reminder to be vigilant and proactive in protecting the sanctity of marriage.

The Importance of Reconciliation
Paul’s advice implies the importance of reconciliation and coming together after a period of abstinence, reinforcing unity in marriage.

Balancing Spiritual and Physical Needs
The passage teaches the balance between spiritual pursuits and physical needs, encouraging couples to prioritize both aspects in their relationship.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Paul's advice in 1 Corinthians 7:5 reflect the importance of mutual consent and communication in marriage?

2. In what ways can couples incorporate prayer and fasting into their marriage without neglecting their physical relationship?

3. How can understanding the role of Satan as a tempter help couples strengthen their marriage against external pressures?

4. What practical steps can couples take to ensure they are balancing their spiritual and physical needs effectively?

5. How do the teachings in Ephesians 5:22-33 and Matthew 19:4-6 complement Paul's guidance in 1 Corinthians 7:5 regarding marital responsibilities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ephesians 5:22-33
This passage also discusses the roles and responsibilities within marriage, emphasizing love and mutual respect, which complements Paul's advice in 1 Corinthians 7:5.

Matthew 19:4-6
Jesus' teaching on marriage underscores the unity and commitment expected in marriage, aligning with Paul's counsel on marital duties.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
This passage speaks to the importance of self-control and sanctification, relevant to the discussion of marital relations and avoiding temptation.
Advice on Details of Christian ConductR. Tuck 1 Corinthians 7:1-7
Celibacy and MarriageH. Bremner 1 Corinthians 7:1-9
Views Concerning MarriageC. Lipscomb 1 Corinthians 7:1-11
Celibacy and MarriageH. Bremner, B. D.1 Corinthians 7:1-17
MarriageJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 7:1-17
MarriageM. Dods, D. D.1 Corinthians 7:1-17
Paul's Conception of MarriageD. Thomas, D. D.1 Corinthians 7:1-17
Paul's View of CelibacyDean Stanley.1 Corinthians 7:1-17
Celibacy and MarriageE. Hurndall 1 Corinthians 7:1, 2, 7-9, 25-35
Marriage: its Nature and DutiesE. Hurndall 1 Corinthians 7:2-6, 10-17
People
Corinthians, Paul
Places
Corinth
Topics
Adversary, Agreement, Associate, Begin, Better, Consent, Deficiency, Defraud, Deprive, Depriving, Devote, Doesn't, Except, Fasting, Free, Incontinence, Incontinency, Lack, Lest, Loss, Mutual, Perhaps, Prayer, Refuse, Satan, Season, Self-control, Short, Stop, Tempt, Unless, Yourselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Corinthians 7:5

     4122   Satan, tempter
     5773   abstinence, discipline
     5794   asceticism
     5856   extravagance
     6250   temptation, sources
     6251   temptation, resisting
     8162   spiritual vitality
     8339   self-control

1 Corinthians 7:1-5

     5735   sexuality
     5745   women

1 Corinthians 7:1-7

     5325   gifts

1 Corinthians 7:1-13

     5736   singleness

1 Corinthians 7:2-5

     5709   marriage, purpose

1 Corinthians 7:3-5

     5504   rights
     8432   fasting, practice

1 Corinthians 7:4-5

     5349   injustice, examples

Library
Forms Versus Character
'Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.'--1 COR. vii. 19. 'For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by love.'--GAL. v. 6. 'For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.'--GAL. vi. 16 (R.V.). The great controversy which embittered so much of Paul's life, and marred so much of his activity, turned upon the question whether a heathen man could come
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Slaves and Free
'He that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's free man: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.'--1 COR. vii. 22. This remarkable saying occurs in a remarkable connection, and is used for a remarkable purpose. The Apostle has been laying down the principle, that the effect of true Christianity is greatly to diminish the importance of outward circumstance. And on that principle he bases an advice, dead in the teeth of all the maxims recognised by worldly
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Christian Life
'Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.'--1 COR. vii. 24. You find that three times within the compass of a very few verses this injunction is repeated. 'As God hath distributed to every man,' says the Apostle in the seventeenth verse, 'as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches.' Then again in the twentieth verse, 'Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he is called.' And then finally in our text. The reason for
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Marriage and Celibacy.
Preached January II, 1852. MARRIAGE AND CELIBACY. "But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth that both they that have wives be as though they had none; and they that weep as though they wept not; and they that rejoice as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away."--1 Corinthians vii. 29-31. The subject of our exposition last Sunday was an essential portion
Frederick W. Robertson—Sermons Preached at Brighton

A Drama in Five Acts
Dear brethren, the important lesson which we endeavor to teach this morning is just this--that because time is so short, and the things of this world so frail and fleeting, it becomes us always to look at the things which are seen in their true character, and never to build substantial hopes on unsubstantial comforts, nor seek for solid joy from unreal things. In order that I may make this matter very plain, and may be the more likely to enlist your attention, and to secure the friendship of your
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 8: 1863

How to Use the Present Life, and the Comforts of It.
The divisions of this chapter are,--I. The necessity and usefulness of this doctrine. Extremes to be avoided, if we would rightly use the present life and its comforts, sec. 1, 2. II. One of these extremes, viz, the intemperance of the flesh, to be carefully avoided. Four methods of doing so described in order, sec. 3-6. 1. BY such rudiments we are at the same time well instructed by Scripture in the proper use of earthly blessings, a subject which, in forming a scheme of life, is by no mean to be
Archpriest John Iliytch Sergieff—On the Christian Life

Family Religion.
"Lo! where yon cottage whitens through the green, The loveliest feature of a matchless scene; Beneath its shading elm, with pious fear, An aged mother draws her children near, While from the Holy Word, with earnest air, She teaches them the privilege of prayer. Look! how their infant eyes with rapture speak; Mark the flushed lily on the dimpled cheek; Their hearts are filled with gratitude and love, Their hopes are centered in a world above!" The Christian home demands a family religion. This makes
Samuel Philips—The Christian Home

The Apostolic Scriptures.
"And I think that I also have the Spirit of God."--1 Cor. vii. 40. We have seen that the apostolate has an extraordinary significance and occupies a unique position. This position is twofold, viz., temporary, with reference to the founding of the first churches, and permanent, with regard to the churches of all ages. The first must necessarily be temporary, for what was then accomplished can not be repeated. A tree can be planted only once; an organism can be born only once; the planting or founding
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

It Is, Therefore, the Present Necessity that we are to Avoid...
14. It is, therefore, the present necessity that we are to avoid, but yet such as is a hindrance to somewhat of the good things to come; by which necessity the married life is forced to have thought of the things of the world, how to please, the husband the wife or the wife the husband. Not that these separate from the kingdom of God, as there are sins, which are restrained by command, not by counsel, on this account, because it is matter of condemnation not to obey the Lord when He commands: but
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

But Lest any Should Think that of Two Works...
19. But lest any should think that of two works, the good and the better, the rewards will be equal, on this account it was necessary to treat against those, who have so interpreted that saying of the Apostle, "But I think that this is good by reason of the present necessity," [2056] as to say that virginity is of use not in order to the kingdom of heaven, but in order to this present time: as though in that eternal life, they, who had chosen this better part, would have nothing more than the rest
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

After that the Same Apostle Adds, and Says...
15. After that the same Apostle adds, and says, "Thou art bound to a wife, seek not loosening: thou art loosed from a wife, seek not a wife." [2050] Of these two, that, which be set first, pertains unto command, against which it is not lawful to do. For it is not lawful to put away a wife, save because of fornication, [2051] as the Lord Himself saith in the Gospel. But that, which he added, "Thou art loosed from a wife, seek not a wife," is a sentence of counsel, not of command; therefore it is lawful
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Yet He Added, "But Such Shall have Tribulation of the Flesh...
16. Yet he added, "But such shall have tribulation of the flesh, but I spare you:" [2053] in this manner exhorting unto virginity, and continual continence, so as some little to alarm also from marriage, with all modesty, not as from a matter evil and unlawful, but as from one burdensome and troublesome. For it is one thing to incur dishonor of the flesh, and another to have tribulation of the flesh: the one is matter of crime to do, the other of labor to suffer, which for the most part men refuse
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Far be It, Therefore, that the Apostle So Said...
20. Far be it, therefore, that the Apostle so said, unto such as are married or are about to marry, "But I spare you," as if he were unwilling to say what punishment is due to the married in another life. Far be it that she, whom Daniel set free from temporal judgment, be cast by Paul into hell! Far be it that her husband's bed be unto her punishment before the judgment seat of Christ, keeping faith to which she chose, under false charge of adultery, to meet either danger, or death! To what effect
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

For not Even Herein Ought Such as are Married to Compare Themselves with The...
10. For not even herein ought such as are married to compare themselves with the deserts of the continent, in that of them virgins are born: for this is not a good of marriage, but of nature: which was so ordered of God, as that of every sexual intercourse whatever of the two sexes of human kind, whether in due order and honest, or base and unlawful, there is born no female save a virgin, yet is none born a sacred virgin: so it is brought to pass that a virgin is born even of fornication, but a sacred
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Here Some one Will Say, what Has this to do with Holy virginity...
21. Here some one will say, What has this to do with holy virginity, or perpetual continence, the setting forth of which was undertaken in this discourse? To whom I make answer in the first place, what I mentioned above, that the glory of that greater good is greater from the fact that, in order to obtain it, the good of married life is surmounted, not the sin of marriage shunned. Otherwise it would be enough for perpetual continence, not to be specially praised, but only not to be blamed: if it
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Let Marriages Possess their Own Good, not that they Beget Sons...
12. Let marriages possess their own good, not that they beget sons, but that honestly, that lawfully, that modestly, that in a spirit of fellowship they beget them, and educate them, after they have been begotten, with cooperation, with wholesome teaching, and earnest purpose: in that they keep the faith of the couch one with another; in that they violate not the sacrament of wedlock. All these, however, are offices of human duty: but virginal chastity and freedom through pious continence from all
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

And Now by Plainest Witnesses of Divine Scriptures...
22. And now by plainest witnesses of divine Scriptures, such as according to the small measure of our memory we shall be able to remember, let it more clearly appear, that, not on account of the present life of this world, but on account of that future life which is promised in the kingdom of heaven, we are to choose perpetual continence. But who but must observe this in that which the same Apostle says a little after, "Whoso is without a wife has thought of the things of the Lord, how to please
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

And not Without Just Cause a Doubt is Raised...
14. And not without just cause a doubt is raised, whether he said this of all married women, or of such as so many are, as that nearly all may be thought so to be. For neither doth that, which he saith of unmarried women, "She, that is unmarried, thinkest of the things of the Lord, to be holy both in body and spirit:" [1973] pertain unto all unmarried women: whereas there are certain widows who are dead, who live in delights. However, so far as regards a certain distinction and, as it were, character
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

And yet not to These Themselves is Marriage a Sin...
11. And yet not to these themselves is marriage a sin; which, if it were chosen in comparison of fornication, would be a less sin than fornication, and yet would be a sin. But now what shall we say against the most plain speech of the Apostle, saying, "Let her do what she will; she sinneth not, if she be married;" [1966] and, "If thou shalt have taken a wife, thou hast not sinned: and, if a virgin shall have been married, she sinneth not." [1967] Hence surely it is not lawful now to doubt that marriage
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

There is this Further, that in that Very Debt which Married Persons Pay One...
4. There is this further, that in that very debt which married persons pay one to another, even if they demand it with somewhat too great intemperance and incontinence, yet they owe faith alike one to another. Unto which faith the Apostle allows so great right, as to call it "power," saying, "The woman hath not power of her own body, but the man; again in like manner also the man hath not power of his own body, but the woman." [1943] But the violation of this faith is called adultery, when either
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

Further, in the Very Case of the More Immoderate Requirement of the Due Of...
6. Further, in the very case of the more immoderate requirement of the due of the flesh, which the Apostle enjoins not on them by way of command, but allows to them by way of leave, that they have intercourse also beside the cause of begetting children; although evil habits impel them to such intercourse, yet marriage guards them from adultery or fornication. For neither is that committed because of marriage, but is pardoned because of marriage. Therefore married persons owe one another not only
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

Therefore the Good of Marriage Throughout all Nations and all Men Stands in The...
32. Therefore the good of marriage throughout all nations and all men stands in the occasion of begetting, and faith of chastity: but, so far as pertains unto the People of God, also in the sanctity of the Sacrament, by reason of which it is unlawful for one who leaves her husband, even when she has been put away, to be married to another, so long as her husband lives, no not even for the sake of bearing children: and, whereas this is the alone cause, wherefore marriage takes place, not even where
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

Therefore as Many Women as There are Now...
19. Therefore as many women as there are now, unto whom it is said, "if they contain not, let them be married, [1986] ^" are not to be compared to the holy women then, even when they married. Marriage itself indeed in all nations is for the same cause of begetting sons, and of what character soever these may be afterward, yet was marriage for this purpose instituted, that they may be born in due and honest order. But men, who contain not, as it were ascend unto marriage by a step of honesty: but
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

But I Marvel, If, as it is Allowed to Put Away a Wife Who...
7. But I marvel, if, as it is allowed to put away a wife who is an adulteress, so it be allowed, having put her away, to marry another. For holy Scripture causes a hard knot in this matter, in that the Apostle says, that, by commandment of the Lord, the wife ought not to depart from her husband, but, in case she shall have departed, to remain unmarried, or to be reconciled to her husband; [1950] whereas surely she ought not to depart and remain unmarried, save from an husband that is an adulterer,
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

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