1 Corinthians 7:1,2 - Since sexual immorality is occurring

7:1

We now come to a series of questions that in all likelihood were raised by the church itself. Corinth was infamous for its sexual promiscuity, and the previous chapter has shown that there was sexual immorality within the church as well. At the time there were all sorts of philosophes going around and some of these, in contradiction to the prevailing immorality, took a very ascetic approach. It seems that some in the church in reaction to the prevailing culture, and in wanting to please God, were thinking that abstaining altogether from sexual relations was the best thing to do. Paul addresses this issue, and begins by saying that it can indeed be a good thing for a man not have sexual relations with a woman. Sex-obsessed cultures have a very warped attitude to many things, and having sex is not quite the be all and end all of life!

7:2

But Paul is also very practical and realistic. Abstaining from sex within marriage may lead to great sexual tension and though the intentions of abstinence may be good, the actual results can be quite the opposite of those intended. So a man should normally have sexual relations with his wife, and a woman with her husband. To do otherwise could amount to putting the Lord to the test! Now some of Paul’s teaching could be taken as very utilitarian, regarding sex in marriage almost as a necessary evil, there to prevent even worse things happening. This is not what Paul or the Bible is saying. Paul is speaking to a particular situation, and we must read things within that context. The Bible as a whole gives a much more rounded picture (e.g. see Song of Songs), and Paul is going to say some pretty radical things in the next verse or two.