Sunday Bulletin September 14 2025
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Craig A. Brittingham, Pastor
Hillside Baptist Church
September 14, 2025
“Sex and Marriage” – 1 Corinthians 7:1-9
1A. It is good for a man not to touch a woman (1).
1b. The word “touch” here is almost certainly a euphemism for sexual relations (ESV).
2b. The issue at hand seems to be whether it is good for married couples to abstain from sex.
2A. A married couple must not deprive one another of sex (2 6).
1b. Sexual temptation may be the result of abstaining from sexual relations in marriage.
1c. Because a married person who abstains from marital intimacy may more easily succumb to sexual immorality, a husband must have his own wife and the wife her own husband (vs. 2).
2c. While “have” his own wife may mean get married, it more likely means “have” sexual relations with his own wife (cf. 5:1).
2b. Both the husband and wife are obligated to meet the sexual needs of their spouse (vv. 3-4).
3b. They may only deprive one another for a time upon which they both agree (a concession, not a command vs.6).
1c. During this agreed upon time period, they should give themselves to prayer.
2c. They must come together again (resume sexual relations) so that Satan does not tempt them because they lack self-control.
3A. It is good for the unmarried to remain unmarried (7-9).
1b. This was Paul’s wish, but he also knew that singleness was a gift from God.
2b. Not all had this gift to remain unmarried, and so because of their lack of self-control, they should marry rather than burn with sexual passion.
Questions
1. What does the word “touch” mean in verse 1? (See Gen. 20:6, Ruth 2:9, Pro. 6:29 where the same Greek word is used for “touch” in the LXX = the Greek translation of the Old Testament).
2. Why might we conclude from verse 1 that the Corinthians were inquiring about abstinence from sex among married couples?
3. Why must a husband or wife not deprive their spouse of sexual relations?
4. What did Paul mean, “let each man have his own wife”?
5. Do you think the line in marriage vows, “to have and to hold” is related?
6. What did Paul mean in verse 6?
7. Is it a sin for a husband or wife to deprive his or her spouse of sexual relations?
8. What gifts from God is Paul referring to in verse 7?