We Two Are One (Part 1 of 2)

In the book of Genesis we read that God created the woman because it was not good for the man to be alone, so did the apostle Paul contradict the Old Testament when he suggested that it's good for a man not to marry will hear the answer today on Truth for Life as Alistair Begg teaches a message titled week 2R1 invite you to take your Bibles and will turn again. First Corinthians 7 Shelley vine a moment of prayer speak, Lord, in the stillness, while we wait on the hushed our hearts to listen and expectancy for Jesus sake on chapters 5 and six. Paul has addressed matters which were uppermost in his mind now as he comes to chapter 7, he tells us that he's going to tackle some of the issues over which there had been specific questions as you read the totality of the letter you discover in chapter 16, a number of individuals who were perhaps the bearers of a letter to Paul which contained a number of the questions that he felt duty bound to address in writing this letter to the church in Corinth the first of the matters which he chooses to tackle is not a surprise to his indeed it really follows directly from what he's been addressing he's been considering the whole matter of sexuality in the place of surety in the Christian life. And so, since there had been some questions regarding marriage and regarding the single state. He determines that I see endeavors to address the concerns that it been sent to him. He would begin with this matter of marriage. The situation in Corinth was as we've said many times not dissimilar to the situation in Cleveland marriages were in trouble in deep trouble. There was incredible chaos which surrounded the whole nature of marriage in the place of singleness.

There were essentially four kinds of marriages in the Corinthian context, but the many find that there was all of this disparity as it related to marriage and singleness was such that it wasn't surprising when the people were concerned as to what might be done and what should be done and some within the church at Corinth were clearly advocating singleness as the only way to be the only way to deal with SMB were saying is to remain single and celibate, not purely from practical reasons but also for spiritual reasons and it was this spiritual overtone which made it so difficult because individuals were saying the only way to live as a proper Christian is to live singly.

If you are a single person and I become a Christian, they would say make sure that you remain single because if you are a Christian you must have nothing to do with physical things and you must refuse to marry altogether. So we had this kind of great plugs for celibacy going around the same time. This untold chaos surrounding the whole matter of sexuality. So Paul says bravely. Now for the matters you wrote about. Let me get down to it, and let begin begin with an observation. If you're taking notes that's the first heading one word observation. What is his observation. It is in one sentence. It is good for a man not to touch a woman. This is his observation. Now the phrase not to touch a woman was a euphemism, a common Jewish expression for physical union within marriage. Hence the NIV translation is good for a man not to marry. It obviously would not be taken in a wooden way that it is good for man never to touch a woman never to hug his sister never to shake hands with the lady down the street, never to pat somebody on the back that is not what it is, say what he is saying is, it is actually good for a man not to get married now. It is important that we understand that when he says that it is good for a man not to marry that he is not saying it isn't bad.

Therefore, for a man to marry. That is the first and foremost mistake that is made in trying to tackle these verses Thomas as he says it is good for men not to marry. Therefore, it is good for men not to Marriott's is overly bad for a man to marry no wrong, he simply say that is good for a man not to marry and remain the Bible say more than it says is all he says is good for men not to marry. Why because there are obvious advantages in the kingdom of God to being single.

The unmarried are able to serve God without the cares and responsibilities which marriage brings. I don't think it is possible for us to understand this observation here in verse one, except in the light of verse 32. I would like you, he says to be free from concern and unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs. How he can please the Lord, but I'm a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife and his interests are divided verse 32 is the key to understanding this phrase is observation in verse one, and is a very very important point and it needs to be underscored, especially in a time when singleness is embraced and even exalted, but certainly not on account of the concerns of the kingdom which is Paul's great issue here. Perhaps it would be helpful for you as it was for me to think of this analogy was John Calvin used in in an earlier generation, he said.

For example, if we swear to say it would be good for a man not to eat or drink or sleep which, under certain circumstances, we could say it would be good not to do this.

The good not to eat or drink or sleep in certain concepts. This says Calvin would not be a dismissal of these things rather a recognition that whatever time is given to them means less time can be given to spiritual things.

Therefore, since there are many hindrances in married life, which interfere with a man's freedom.

It would be good for that reason not to be involved in marriage. Now we must always interpret Scripture with Scripture. First Corinthians 71 says this, Genesis chapter 2 in verse 18 says that when God created man, he looked to the circumstances and he said it is not good for the man to be alone I will make him a helper suitable to so God ordains creation it he says it is not good for a man to be alone. Therefore I'll give him a wife.

Paul says in first Corinthians 7. It is good for a man not to get married. Once again we need to understand context for the June marriage was absolutely crucial. They didn't see marriage simply in terms of the ideal state, but they saw singleness as disobedience because after all, God had said, be fruitful and multiply. Populate the air, therefore said that you if you don't get married and go about the business that God intended you actually begin disobedience. So there were some who were confused on that point, the Gentiles, perhaps because of the kind of sexual chaos out of which they had been coming. They were coming at it from the other angle they were coming to regard celibacy or singleness is the only really godly way to live life and there were saying this is the only way you can live the Jewish background was saying you can't live that way if you live that way your disobedience and so Paul says I want you to know that it is good for a man not to marry is not more spiritual to be married or to be unmarried, but it's okay if you don't get married. Indeed, there are some distinct advantages to the single state. Some of the Jewish we would've liked to hear that, but he needed to hear that that's his observation. Then comes the qualification as he goes into verse two. But since he says there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband and there is some suggestion here that he is refuting any notions of polygamy, whereby you could have one and then have another one he say no you just get one and she's Your Honor he's wrong and you stick with that eyes with verse one is very important that we understand what's being said in the wider context of Paul's instruction is this all that Paul ever said about marriage because if it wasn't if this was all over the Bible taught concerning marriage. It provides for is a rather low view of it when you say the only reason to get married is because of sexual problems that may hinder you if you remain unmarried. Therefore, it would be far better because her so much immorality around to go ahead and get married. Now we need to recognize that when Paul wrote in the Ephesian letter in Ephesians chapter 5. He expressed very clearly. His understanding of marriage, I just want to turn you to it. Another to expound it. But let me remind you that in Ephesians chapter 5 in verse 22 and following. He expresses his high and at Clearview of marriage. So what is he doing in verse two of chapter 7, he is not giving the reason as to why marriage has been instituted, but he is describing a necessary course of action for certain people who need it. This is not an explanation of the substance of marriage to prevent immorality. It is something far grander than that, but he says in this Corinthian context. While it's okay to remain single. Many of you can remain single because of the lifestyle out of what you've come and therefore because of the claimant in which you find yourself just be practical about things he say and recognize that you want to take a wife or you are to take a husband. Keep in mind always that he is dealing with a specific question in light of an actual historical situation. Now we just need to recognize and I'm not going to expound this this evening.

The Bible tells us that marriage is for all kinds of things. First of all, the Bible tells us that marriage is for procreation you read this in Genesis chapter 1 God ordained marriage. He determined that it would be this way and in Genesis chapter 1 and in verse 28 God blessed them and said to them, be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it okay so another words, part of the purpose of marriage was for procreation. Part of the purpose of marriage was also for pleasure within marriage, not least of all within the whole realm of sexual fulfillment.

Proverbs chapter 5 talks about the lighting and the wife of one's youth.

The book of song of Solomon expresses in graphic terms, the whole nature of physical union between a man and his wife, so marriages are then for procreation is her day and for pleasure. It is ordained also for partnership Genesis chapter 2 in verse 18 the verse to which I've already referred and the Lord God said is not good for the man to be alone I will make a helper suitable for him.

Marriage is been ordained also is a picture of Christ and the church. Ephesians chapter 5 and marriage is been redeemed in order to maintain purity in a world that is putrefying so his observation is then developed in this qualification, and what he wants them to understand is that celibacy has peculiar dangers to try and live the single life. If that is not what is intended presents real challenges now again, context is everything.

Remember, these people were expressing their sexual urges anywhere they wanted with anyone they wanted somebody or St. John the only way you can live is in a married state. Paul says no don't say that it's good for a man not to get married, but because of the environment recognize this, a man should take his wife and the wife to take her own husband. So we have his observation in verse one we have the qualification in verse two, and then he deals with his obligation. In verse three the obligations which are unique to the marital status, the husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife and likewise the wife to her husband a lot, understand something, what was happening was this some of these people had married as unbelievers.

One of them became a Christian and got the crazy notion in their heads that the way to be a proper question was to be celibate. So not only did he come to faith in Jesus Christ. Not only do they go bonkers. As far as the marriage partner is concerned in going totally off the deep end in a religious realm, but even worse, they now move into a separate bedroom and he turned the new bedroom into a shrine and he started to say the celibate life is the only life for the Christian and some of them were perpetuating this mythology and were gathering around them. More and more people in the church to embrace such a view.

So Paul says listen going to tell you something very important. You are married, there is no place for celibacy in marriage you didn't get married to live as a single you're not supposed to be married as a single. The problem with our culture today is singles who are married physically without being married and people who are married without being involved physically on notice of the emphasis not upon rights but is upon responsibilities upon Judy's each one owes duties to the other and Paul says I want you to pay what you owe. Once you notice that neither here nor in verse four does he stress the duty of either partner at the expense of the other, but he puts them exactly on a level where the stuff came about Paul being a misogynist. I really don't know because he's very straightforward here. The ground is level as it relates to this husband or wife wife or husband is the same deal you've got Judy's and he says I want you to fulfill your duties to your marriage partner. Incidentally, the tense of the verb is the present continuous tens making it clear that this Judy is a habitual Judy and not a spasmodic Judy.

Now one of the things I was going to help me with here in this is not accommodated such a level that people are going I'm not sure that I can make any application of this but not on the other hand, to begin to make application of it that would demean the very word itself. Those of you are our husband-and-wife work it out for yourself. You have a duty to fulfill the Judy is a habitual Judy. It is not a spasmodic Judy would I define habitual far, you know I would not would I define spasmodic no I would not that your problem but understand what the verse says physical intimacy in marriage is not only sacred but it is proper and it is obligatory.

It is obligatory. It's not simply a privilege is not simply a pleasure but it is our responsibility to sell IMC not in a movie. I have read that in the book while you read it in one book right now and I'm telling you straight. It's a responsibility and the responsibility is on the part of each partner to give sexual satisfaction to the other and so Judy Paul says I want you to pay your Judy in the marriage framework on sinus nonsense about celibacy as if you were some super Christian now this explanation follows in verse four, the wife's body.

He says does not belong to her alone. It does belong to her alone but also to her husband. Notice that little work is in the wife's body does not belong to her, but it belongs to her husband and her son is says a wise party does not belong to her alone but also to her husband and in the same way. The husband's body does not belong to him alone, but also to his wife. In other words by the marriage of the vial.

We did something and revocably dramatic and life changing for all time.

We gave up the exclusive right to ourselves. One plus one equals one in marriage.

We are now only partially what we are alone in the reality of what we are is ultimately only expressed in our Tunis, Tunis which is by definition oneness.

Therefore, it is not that the husband is able to dictate to his wife and say you don't own your body I do now is get dealing with this, nor vice versa. Because the wife has a responsibility for her body, under God, but not alone anymore. She did as long as she was single but now that she's married is changed.

As for the man. The selfsame thing. Not a very practical implications of this are many. Let me quote you somebody else. It's always easier to quote than I can get blamed for the quote prior line get blamed for quoting it were not for creating. This is our priority says at the practical level. This is a very challenging word to all Christian couples. Many reasons are given for withholding. What is Jew to the other tiredness, resentment, disinterest, boredom, etc. for Corinthian husbands. Sure wedded to their own rights. This very earthy instruction must've been something of a body blow, and it is something of a body blow to all husbands, whether they live in Corinth or in Cleveland. It is sadly vital to add to this for verse and are currently increasingly perverted culture that there are's for gives no basis to violate our marriage partners walk with Christ in purity and in a wholeness on account of the fact that and we now own a 50% share in their body.

Nine case you don't understand what I mean by that. Let me tell you that it is not uncommon for young couples to come to me and say you know when we get married we are going to be married and I've heard some counselors say that it's can be a good idea in your marriage to want share kind of our pornographic movies that will help you. Do you thing that we should read certain kind of literature. No thousand times no, because to do that would be to violate Philippians 48, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are holy and whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, you think about those things. Mr. Rex and you think about those things. Mrs. X and when you come together with one another. You continue to think about those things.

Marriage does not create some kind of vacuum like cocoon whereby quote and nothing goes. Thing does not go. We have no right to violate the parameters that God is established for purity in our lifestyle just because we got a 50% share in the body of somebody that is determined they will live the rest of their lives with.

So if any of us are tempted to use verse four as leverage over our spouse to bring them into submission to something that we've decided his right would better be very very careful. The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband in the same way.

The husband's body does not belong to him along but also to his wife two has now become one and as one under Christ.

They must still fulfill the divine mandates for purity and lifestyle. There are distinct advantages and challenges, whether we choose to marry or to remain single listing to Alastair big Truth for Life as you listen to Alistair's message today so have thousands of others in nearly every part of the world. That's possible because of listeners like you whiskers we call truth partners who give a set amount, but they choose each month. Their collective giving is what provides Truth for Life with the operating income. We need to produce this daily program and make all the online teaching available for free if you have been reluctant to join our true partner team.

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