[:en]SCRIPTURE: 1 CORINTHIANS 7
“The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife and likewise the wife to her husband” (1 Corinthians 7:3)
“A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39)
MARRIAGE (vs. 1-40)
Paul discussed rules on marriage:
- Each man should have his own wife and each woman has her own husband. They should fulfill their marital duty to each other. They should not deprive each other except by marital consent on the time devoted to prayers (vs. 1-5)
- It is good for the widows to stay unmarried but if they cannot control themselves, they better get married than to be burn with passion (v. 8)
- The wife must not separate from her husband and the husband must not divorce his wife (vs. 10-11)
- Those who have unbelieving spouses must remain together (vs. 12-14)
- A believing man or woman is not bound to each other if the unbelieving spouse leaves her or him. (vs. 15-16)
- It is for good for you to remain as virgin because of the present crisis (vs. 25-26)
- The man ought to marry the virgin he is engaged to if they get along well and if he wants (v. 36)
- If the man has settled in his mind over his will not to marry the virgin, he can do so. (v. 37)
- A woman is bound by her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. (v. 39)
Marriage is a challenge. It has its blessings but it has also its burdens. Everyone should aim to build a Christian home if he or she marries.
“Success in marriage works much more than finding the right mate. It also requires being the right mate” – Anonymous.
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