Involved question for Christians about remaining single for the Lord (1 Corinthians 7)?

Question

First off, here's a link to the passage:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20corinthians%207;&version=50;

I've noticed a recurring theme of 'body and spirit' throughout the passage: in vs. 34, and with vs. 3=spirit & vs. 4=body when talking about the marriage relationship. Looking at the context, chapter 6 just finished talking about glorifying God in body and in spirit, and I think that passage is very deeply connected with this one.

Anyhow, my question is, do you think that the 'burn with passion' (in vs. 9) is speaking of just physical lust or possibly emotional/relational lust as well?

Here's a link to the definition of the original Greek word used:
http://cf.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4448&Version=kjv

It just means 'burn.' I take that to imply something out of control, something that is being consumed by the out-of-control process. Nothing necessarily implies a solely physical lack of control. What are your thoughts on this?

In response to the first answerer, yes, God created marriage; but that was before man fell. Now He tells us that "such [married couples] will have trouble in the flesh" (vs. 28). 'Flesh' being our carnal part:
http://cf.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4561&Version=kjv

Thus marriage can no longer be a perfect institution for us, because we are no longer perfect.

Shade_of_a_man: That's my point, I think it may be also refering to 'loving people' before marriage -- it can be just as unhealthy to lust after someone in that way.

Ok, let me clear something up:

I did not mean to imply that I or the Bible am saying that marriage is wrong or bad. The Bible does, however, speak of some people staying single to be able to focus more on serving the Lord. Read the passage, and you'll get the idea.

"...if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry.."

That doesn't sound to me like 'if they have no desire at all for marriage.'

Answer 1

Excellent point. I too have looked at this in that light. You are not the first to draw this conclusion, but I commend you for finding the connection. Excellent. One can have passion for MANY things. Passion does NOT have to be attached to sex. It is a common misconception, much like with the word intimacy, that passion MUST have to do with something sexual or physical. It does not. I have a great passion for the Lord. That has nothing to do with sex. I believe that people should indeed marry if the passion for one another is so intense that they cannot bare to stand the pain of a life without one another. I didn't understand that until I got engaged recently.

The love I have for my fiance is indeed intense. It is a mental, emotional, and spiritual connection that is unexplainable. I cannot begin to describe how I would feel if he wasn't in my life. Do I believe that I could live without him? Absolutely. However, I don't believe that God would give me an allowance for such a love for one man only to have that man walk away from me. I do not think that God is that cruel. I don't necessarily believe that the burning with passion means that someone is out of control. I am in very much control of how I feel. Passion is an intense feeling that is counteracted with the actions that are fueled by that passion. Passion means nothing if you have no actions to back it up. If actions about out of control, they are not of God. We are given a spirit of self-control. Feeling out of control isn't of God. Passion, however, I believe is very much something from God. True passion comes from God in my mind.

Answer 2

Marriage, the culmination of love between a man and a women is clearly supported by God and Jesus through the Holy Bible. The verses below detail the teachings of the Bible. Marriage although maligned by many in our society allows a avenue for positive sexual expression and love, supports the family unit, enables a safe loving environment for the care of children and the elderly and provides a training ground for the future. Clearly marriage is a keystone for society as a whole.

THE NEW TESTAMENT
Here Jesus restates Genesis 2: v 24 where one women and one man form a one flesh unity. ie Marriage.

Mark 10: v 6-9, 11-12
Jesus said (6) "But at the beginning of creation God `made them male and female.'
(7) `For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,
(8) and the two will become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one.
(9) Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Answer 3

That is really awful and you must be really stressed over this situation. I too several years ago was put in a similar position. I had a quite word to the older men in my congregation who sort help for the erring one. Because I did this, it saved his marriage though not without consequences. I hope you too can do the same Here is what the bible says on handling such matters~ Godly men and women deeply appreciate the arrangement God has made to help erring ones inside the Christian congregation at the direction of the scriptures. They recognize such discipline as an expression of his loving-kindness and do not hide the wrong.—Hebrews 12:6-11. This may be illustrated with an incident in the life of King David. Although he was a righteous man from his youth on, there came a time when he fell into serious wrongdoing. First, he committed adultery. Then, in an attempt to cover up his wrong, he arranged to have the woman’s husband killed. But God revealed David’s sin to Nathan the prophet, who courageously confronted David about the matter. Using a powerful illustration, Nathan asked David what should be done to a rich man who had many sheep but took and slaughtered the only lamb, a treasured pet, of a poor man to entertain his friend. David, a former shepherd, was roused to indignation and anger. He said: “The man doing this deserves to die!” Nathan then applied the illustration to David, saying: “You yourself are the man!”—2 Samuel 12:1-7. David did not become angry with Nathan; neither did he try to defend himself nor did he resort to recriminations. Instead, Nathan’s rebuke deeply moved his conscience. Cut to the heart, David confessed: “I have sinned against Jehovah.”—2 Samuel 12:13. When the older men of a congregation learn about serious wrongdoing, they approach the individual involved to give needed help and correction. It is the their’ responsibility to judge such ones inside the Christian congregation. Keeping a close watch on its spiritual condition, they assist and admonish anyone who is taking an unwise or wrong step.—1 Corinthians 5:12, 13; 2 Timothy 4:2; 1 Peter 5:1, 2. The bible also gives the one who knows about the matter some serious admonition. Leviticus 5:1 states: “Now in case a soul sins in that he has heard public cursing and he is a witness or he has seen it or has come to know of it, if he does not report it, then he must answer for his error.”—Compare Deuteronomy 13:6-8; Esther 6:2; Proverbs 29:24. Though not under the Mosaic Law, Christians today can be guided by the principles behind it. (Psalm 19:7, 8) First of all, it is important that there is proof that serious wrongdoing has really occurred. “Do not become a witness against your fellowman without grounds,” stated the wise man. “Then you would have to be foolish with your lips.”—Proverbs 24:28. You may decide to go directly to the older men. It is not wrong to do so. Usually, however, the most loving course is to approach the person involved. Calmly discuss the matter with the person and give them the opportunity to confess on their own terms for help, and explain the wisdom of doing so. Do not talk to others in the congregation about the matter, for that would be gossip. If the person does not confess within a reasonable period of time, then you should. The older men should handle the case according to Scriptural guidelines.—Deuteronomy 13:12-14. At least two witnesses are required to establish a charge of wrongdoing. (John 8:17; Hebrews 10:28) If the person denies the charge and your testimony is the only one, the matter will be left in God’s hands. (1 Timothy 5:19, 24, 25) This is done in the knowledge that all things are “openly exposed” to him and that if the person is guilty, eventually his sins will “catch up” with him.—Hebrews 4:13; Numbers 32:23. Gather your evidence and report the matter as promptly as possible. Handle the matter as though you would want it to if it were you. I am so sorry you have to go through this and his wife will be devastated but at least she won't be made a fool of by finding out years down the track knowing that others knew and didn't do anything. You are very brave and honest, all the best

Answer 4

to ''burn with passion'' is referring to both a physical need as well as an emotional one, though i wouldn't call the emotional need ''lust.''

paul had a gift. he never felt any need whatsoever to have a wife. he was completely free to serve the Lord, and only the Lord, but this is indeed a rare gift, and not many of us have it. instead, we have different gifts, and without looking to be sure, i'm fairly sure that's covered in the same chapter.

if you have ever yearned to have a wife and family, or even seriously considered it, i don't believe you have this gift. if God has not given you this gift, then He WILL give you a wife, in due time. hold fast and have faith in that.

that being said, there's nothing wrong with taking either path, so long as you walk that path in the Spirit, for the right reasons.

Answer 5

My thoughts are that, like many instructions in the bible, that verse is deliberately "vague" to allow God to speak to each of us through it. Do I believe that God plans for some people to remain single...yes I do...I also believe that he plans for other people to marry.

I Cor. 7 also provides the reason for this instruction...(v28) "those who marry will face many troubles in this life". Marriage is difficult...it requires hard work! In verse 32, Paul goes on to say that "an unmarried man is concered about the Lord's affairs...but a married man is concered about the affairs of this world -- how he can please his wife"!

God knows what each of us needs. For example, suppose I had a "burning desire for a family"...if I read this chapter and ask God to reveal his plan to me regarding marriage, God could tell me that my "burning desire" was "burning with passion" if his plan involved marriage OR he could tell me that he wanted me to have a different kind of family that required me to be single (perhaps something like the kind of family Mother Teresa had)!

I've actually be pondering this chapter for a while now...I'm rather ambivalent about marriage and I'm not sure yet which is part of his plan for me...perhaps I'm just not ready to hear the answer yet *smile*!

Answer 6

as to the guy that answered first... uhh... right mostly except that god created marriage i think in one of the earlier books, leviticus, duteronomy, etc. like "and a man shall leave his parents, and take a wife and they shall be one flesh?" i think that is how it goes anyway, so ok.


second to answer the first question since it speaks of self control, i think it means physical, because if it is ONLY emotional/relational(to use your work) then it isn't SO much of a problem. it basicly is against PREmarital ....intercourse? not loveing peaople before marriage.

third is the second question.
i think it is to describe how their passion is. like out of control, on fire, type. it's like build a fireplace don't set fire to your house... get married don't just... do it.

Answer 7

God created man. Man has hormones. God created us with hormones. So sex is very natural. Marriage was created by man, not god. Rules have to be in place for the greater harmony of so many diversified people. Sex is ok, you could even say God wants you to procriate. But you must understand the consequences of protruding in on someone elses free will.

Answer 8

My God that's creepy. We could have a brand new Inquisition with that! Thank God I'm an Atheist! No wonder so many Christians are so screwed up.

Answer 9

burn with passion is a moment of ecstacy and the betwixt of the body and soul in extreme happiness.lust is created to overcome anger that will prolong relationship in a harmonious manner.celibacy as what we know of the vow of the priest means married to one. a celibate is married to only one and the priest are married to Christ. and singleness or single blessedness is abstaining from any relationship.

Answer 10

sounds like you are analyzing this thing too hard to me
have fun