“Nevertheless , to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.”
My Notes
What Does 1 Corinthians 7:2 Mean?
Paul gives practical counsel for avoiding fornication: let every man have his own wife, and every woman have her own husband. The marriage relationship is presented as the protective structure against sexual sin. Not the only reason for marriage (Ephesians 5 has deeper theology). But a real, practical reason: marriage provides the legitimate context for sexual expression.
"To avoid fornication" (dia tas porneias — because of the sexual immoralities) is plural: the sexual temptations are multiple, ongoing, and ever-present. The solution isn't a one-time decision. It's a permanent structure: your own wife. Your own husband. The possessive (idios — one's own, personal, specific) means the marriage is exclusive: not a wife in general. YOUR wife. Not a husband in theory. YOUR husband.
The mutual instruction — "every man... every woman" — means the counsel applies equally. Neither gender is exempted from the need for marital protection against sexual sin. Both men and women need the legitimate outlet that marriage provides. The instruction is symmetrical.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Does marriage-as-protection-against-fornication feel reductive — or does it add a practical dimension to your theology of marriage?
- 2.How does the exclusivity ('his OWN wife, her OWN husband') create the protection Paul describes?
- 3.Does the mutuality (both men and women equally counseled) challenge gendered assumptions about sexual temptation?
- 4.If marriage is a structural solution (not just a romantic one), does that change how you view the purpose of your relationship?
Devotional
To avoid sexual sin: let every man have his own wife, every woman her own husband. Marriage as protection.
Paul's most practical relationship counsel: marriage exists (among other reasons) as the structure that channels sexual desire into legitimate expression. The desire is real. The temptation is real. And the solution isn't suppression. It's structure. YOUR wife. YOUR husband. The exclusive, committed, covenant relationship that provides what fornication counterfeits.
"To avoid fornication" — the reason is blunt. Not romantic. Practical. The sexual temptations (porneias — plural: multiple kinds of sexual sin) are constant in a city like Corinth (famous for its temple prostitution and sexual culture). Paul doesn't pretend the temptation will disappear through willpower. He provides a structural solution: marriage.
"His own wife... her own husband" — the possessive (idios — one's own) makes the relationship exclusive and specific. Not a wife. YOUR wife. Not a husband. YOURS. The exclusivity is the protection: the sexual desire that was unstructured (aimed anywhere) becomes structured (aimed at one person, in covenant, with commitment).
The mutuality — "every man... every woman" — means the counsel isn't gendered: both men and women need the protection marriage provides. Both experience sexual desire that needs legitimate expression. Both benefit from the exclusive structure. Paul isn't counseling men about women. He's counseling humans about humans.
This isn't the highest theology of marriage (Ephesians 5 describes marriage as a picture of Christ and the church). It's the most practical: marriage provides the context where sexual desire is expressed without sin. The desire isn't eliminated. It's directed. The energy isn't suppressed. It's channeled. And the channel is: your own husband. Your own wife.
The romantic culture says: marry because you're in love. Paul adds: marry because you're human. The desire needs a home. Marriage provides it.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Nevertheless, to avoid fornication,.... Or "fornications"; meaning either the frequent commission of that sin; or all…
Nevertheless - But (δὲ de). Though this is to be admitted as proper where it can be done, when a man has entire control…
To avoid fornication - Δια τας πορνειας· verto, propter exercendam libidinem, vel ut libidinem licite exercere liceat.…
The apostle comes now, as a faithful and skilful casuist, to answer some cases of conscience which the Corinthians had…
Nevertheless, to avoid fornication Literally, on account of the fornications, i.e. the habitual practice of this vice in…
Cross References
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