An Exegesis of 1 Corinthians 7: 1-16

1. An Exegesis of 1 Corinthians 7: 1-16 By Theo Mangold New Testament Studies

2. Context The people of Corinth were irresponsible in Paul’s eyes. They had a lot of unmarried sex, as well as the use of prostitutes. This was completely acceptable to them, and at the time it was not at all a problem, except to Paul and other followers of Jesus. Paul received letters from the Corinthians, asking him about marriage and sexual relations, and how they should go about acting in a responsible way. He addressed these concerns in all of 1 Corinthians, but his more important points are in verses 1-16.

3. Paul in 1 Corinthians 7: 1-16 Paul is writing to the Corinthians about marriage and sexual relations. He expresses his concerns about how the people of Corinth are living their lives, and that they should change their ways. Specifically, Paul refers to how they have unmarried sexual relations. He says in this passage that they shouldn’t have sex, however if they feel the need to then it should be with a husband or wife. Basically, Paul is saying in order to have sex one should be married. Paul uses what he has learned from Jesus and what he taught to construct his views on this topic.

4. Paul Speaking to Prep Students Paul would criticize how too many high school students have sexual relations so early in their lives, let alone before marriage. He would encourage the guys at St. Peter’s Prep to wait until marriage to engage in sexual activity. How some students act at prep is the opposite of what Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians, and he would be disgusted at this behavior.

5. Overview The people of Corinth were acting in a way that Paul did not approve of, so he addressed their concerns about marriage and sexual relations by explaining that one should be married to have sex. Paul would not approve of how Prep students go about their lives, and he would encourage them to change their ways.