Questions About Marriage (7:1-40)

We seem to have another transition here, this time to a section in which Paul deals specifically with questions addressed to him via letter (notice 7:1). The first such question was on the issues of singleness and marriage.

Paul on singleness:
1. Paul think it is good to remain unmarried, even better (1, 8, 26, 32, 38, 40)
2. Paul speaks of marriage as a concession to immorality (2, 6, 9)
3. Paul speaks of himself as being single (7a, 8)
4. Paul considers the ability to be celibate to be a gift (7b)

Paul on marriage:
1. Marriage should be a monogamous sexual relationship (2-5)
2. Abstinence should only be practiced by mutual consent and for a time of spiritual devotion (6)
3. Illegitimate divorce is not valid in God's eyes (10-11)
4. In a religiously mixed marriage, the unbeliever may initiate a valid divorce (12-16)
5. Death is a valid ending to a marriage (39)

Paul on pre-existing situations (prior to entry into the kingdom)
Unless an activity goes against God's commands (19), one should remain in the situation (20)
(Examples include the issue of circumcision, slavery, mixed marriage)