READING • 1 CORINTHIANS 7
A covenant lived before God
Christian marriage is more than a private arrangement. It is a public and lasting commitment in which a man and a woman promise faithfulness to one another and seek to build their life together in the presence of God.
Marriage in God’s purpose
Genesis presents marriage as part of God’s purpose from the beginning. Eve was made as a companion for Adam, and the account concludes with a principle that Jesus later repeated:
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
Genesis 2:24 • King James Version
The expression “one flesh” speaks of a union that is physical, emotional, practical and spiritual. A happy Christian marriage is not built on one person using the other, but on husband and wife helping, strengthening and caring for one another while remembering that their life is lived before God.
Marriage and singleness
Marriage is good, but it is not compulsory. The Lord Jesus remained unmarried, and Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 7 that singleness can give a believer particular freedom for service. Other believers rightly desire the companionship and support of marriage.
Two honourable paths
The Bible does not teach that marriage makes a believer more spiritual than a single person. Marriage and singleness both bring opportunities, responsibilities and tests of character. The important question is how faithfully we serve God in the circumstances He has given us.
A lasting promise
Scripture presents marriage as a covenant intended to be faithful and enduring. Malachi condemns the treacherous breaking of the marriage covenant and records these solemn words:
“For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.”
Malachi 2:16 • King James Version
The Bible’s ideal is therefore not a casual or temporary partnership. Husband and wife should enter marriage intending faithfulness for life. Difficult situations and marriage breakdown are considered more fully in the next lesson.
Sex belongs within marriage
The Bible treats sexual intimacy as part of God’s good creation, but places it within marriage. The traditional Christadelphian understanding is that sexual relations belong between husband and wife, and that sexual activity outside marriage is contrary to God’s will.
“Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.”
1 Corinthians 7:2 • King James Version
Within marriage, intimacy is not a licence for selfishness or control. Paul speaks of husband and wife as owing care to one another and stresses mutual responsibility. Christian love never excuses coercion, exploitation or abuse.
Mutual care
1 Corinthians 7:3–5 describes husband and wife as belonging to one another in a relationship of mutual consideration. Decisions about intimacy should therefore be marked by love, respect, communication and concern for the other person.
Forgiveness after past failure
Some who begin studying the Bible may already have made serious mistakes in their relationships. The Gospel does not teach that past sexual sin places a person beyond God’s mercy. Paul reminded the Corinthians that some of them had lived very differently before coming to Christ, and then said:
“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
1 Corinthians 6:11 • King James Version
Repentance means turning away from what is wrong and seeking God’s way. Baptism begins a new life in Christ. This does not make past actions unimportant, but it does mean that forgiveness and a changed future are genuinely possible through God’s grace.
Children and family planning
Sexual intimacy is one way in which husband and wife express their love, and it is also the means by which children may be born into a family. The Bible does not command every couple to have as many children as possible. Husband and wife should discuss their responsibilities together, taking account of their circumstances and seeking to act wisely and lovingly.
Marriage is more than parenthood
Children are a blessing, but a marriage is not made less real or less valuable if a couple cannot have children or does not have children. Companionship, faithfulness, service and mutual support remain central to the marriage covenant.
Choosing a husband or wife
For a disciple of Christ, choosing a marriage partner is also a spiritual decision. The clearest New Testament statement is Paul’s instruction concerning a widow who is free to remarry:
“The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 7:39 • King James Version
Christadelphians understand “only in the Lord” to mean that a baptized believer should marry another believer who shares the same faith and commitment to the Gospel. A shared spiritual foundation affects worship, priorities, family decisions, the upbringing of children and the whole direction of life.
Why shared faith matters
Paul’s words “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14) are broader than marriage, but Christadelphians also apply the principle when choosing a husband or wife. Marriage joins two lives very closely; serious disagreement about God, worship and the purpose of life can create deep tension.
A sincere shared faith
Marriage should not be entered on the assumption that a partner will later become a believer. The spiritual unity should be real, not merely promised for the sake of the wedding. Both should want to follow Christ and support one another in doing so.
The Christian husband
The New Testament gives the husband a serious responsibility. Paul compares his role with the relationship of Christ to the ecclesia. But the model is not domination: it is sacrificial love.
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”
Ephesians 5:25 • King James Version
Christ’s leadership was shown by service, patience, courage and self-giving. He said, “I am among you as he that serveth” (Luke 22:27). A Christian husband therefore cannot use “headship” as an excuse to bully, intimidate, control or always insist on his own preference.
He should take responsibility seriously, lead by example, listen carefully, protect the welfare of his household, and be prepared to put the needs of his wife and family before his own comfort. Where difficult decisions must be made, they should be discussed honestly and prayerfully rather than imposed selfishly.
“Heirs together of the grace of life”
Peter tells husbands to honour their wives and describes husband and wife as “heirs together of the grace of life”. This is an important balance. Biblical responsibility in the family does not make the wife spiritually inferior.
“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife... as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”
1 Peter 3:7 • King James Version
A Christ-centred marriage therefore requires respect in both directions. Husband and wife should be able to speak openly, be heard, disagree without contempt, admit mistakes and forgive one another.
Sharing the burdens of life
Cultures differ in the tasks traditionally given to men and women, but Christian marriage is a partnership. Work, money, children, care of relatives, household responsibilities and service to the ecclesia all require cooperation. No believer should use custom or status as an excuse to leave unnecessary burdens on a spouse.
CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP IS
CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP IS NOT
Service and responsibility
Control and intimidation
Listening and wise example
Always getting one’s own way
Protecting and providing care
Using Scripture to excuse selfishness
Helping the family serve God
Treating other family members as less important
Spiritual life in the home
A Christian home should make room for God every day. The husband has a particular responsibility to encourage worship and spiritual direction, but Bible reading, prayer and teaching are family responsibilities in which husband and wife work together.
Abraham was commended because God knew that he would direct his household in the way of the Lord (Genesis 18:19). A modern Christian family should likewise make faith visible in ordinary life: in speech, honesty, kindness, money, hospitality, forgiveness and the way difficult choices are made.
A home shaped by the Gospel
Family Bible reading and prayer are important, but children also learn by watching. A home in which parents pray together but speak harshly, behave dishonestly or treat one another badly teaches the wrong lesson. Example is part of spiritual leadership.
The Christian wife
The Bible also gives the wife an active and honourable part in family life. Proverbs 31 describes a capable, trusted, hardworking and compassionate woman whose husband has confidence in her and who “feareth the Lord”. She is not portrayed as passive or unimportant; her wisdom and work strengthen the whole household.
Titus 2:4–5 encourages love for husband and children, purity, goodness and faithful care of the home. First Peter 3 speaks of respect and submission. These passages should be read alongside the commands to husbands to honour their wives and to love them with the self-giving love of Christ.
Submission is not inferiority
The Bible’s picture is not of a valuable husband and a less valuable wife. Husband and wife are “one flesh” and “heirs together of the grace of life”. A Christian wife supports her husband’s faithful leadership; a Christian husband must exercise that responsibility in the spirit of Christ, never through fear or coercion.
Teaching children
Where God gives children, both parents have a major responsibility to provide security, love, discipline and spiritual instruction. Children should not merely be told what Christians believe; they should see faith practised in the home.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6 • King James Version
Parents cannot force faith into a child, and every child must eventually make personal choices. But they can provide a home in which the Bible is respected, questions can be asked, prayer is natural, love is visible and service to others is normal.
Building a Christ-centred marriage
Marriage is built day by day, not by the wedding ceremony alone.
Day by day
A strong Christian marriage is built through faithfulness, shared prayer and Bible reading, kind communication, shared burdens, repentance and forgiveness. Husband and wife should help one another toward God’s Kingdom and show the character of the Lord Jesus in their home.
SUMMARY
1
Marriage is established by God. The Bible presents marriage as a faithful union of one man and one woman who become “one flesh”.
2
Singleness is also honourable. Not every believer must marry; singleness can provide particular opportunities for service.
3
Sexual intimacy belongs within marriage. It is a good gift to be expressed with love, faithfulness and mutual care.
4
A believer should marry “only in the Lord”. Christadelphians understand this as marriage to another baptized believer who shares the faith.
5
Husbands must lead like Christ. Biblical headship means sacrificial love, service, responsibility and honour - not domination.
6
Wives are spiritual partners and “heirs together”. They are called to love, faithfulness, wisdom, respect and active partnership in the home.
7
A Christian home should help everyone serve God. Prayer, Bible reading, kindness, forgiveness and example should shape everyday family life.
Chapters to read
Ephesians 5 • Proverbs 31:10–31 • 1 Timothy 3 • Colossians 3:12–25 • 1 Peter 3:1–7
LEARN BY HEART • MATTHEW 19:5–6
“And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
Matthew 19:5–6 • King James Version
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