<p><b>Summary</b>:</p><p>Paul addresses questions about marriage, explaining that sexual relations within marriage are proper to avoid immorality. Each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband, with both fulfilling their marital duties to one another. Neither spouse has sole authority over their own body but shares it mutually with the other. They should not deprive one another except temporarily and by mutual consent for prayer, so that Satan does not tempt them because of lack of self-control. Paul allows marriage as a concession, not as a command, and notes that he wishes all were as he is – single - but recognizes that each person has their own gift from God.</p><p> </p><p><b>Teaching</b>:</p><p>Men and women may marry out of love, but sometimes they also marry because they cannot overcome their sexual desires. However, Paul said, “It is good for a man not to touch a woman,” because he believed the Lord’s return was near, and he was concerned that people might become entangled in marriage and worldly desires and fail to welcome Jesus when He comes.</p><p> </p><p>The “duty” mentioned here goes beyond a legal obligation - it refers to the divine duty established by God when He created man and woman. Each must fulfill their respective responsibilities before God.</p><p> </p><p>“Stop depriving one another” means that a husband and wife should share the same bed, expressing affection and unity through physical closeness. By sleeping together and maintaining intimacy, they resolve conflicts and protect their marriage from breaking apart.</p><p> </p><p><i>Excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Lee, Oct 9, 2025</i></p><p><i>1 Corinthian 7:1-7</i></p>
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