Note 1 at 1 Cor. 7:1: Paul had made mention of the fact that he had written a previous letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 5:9). Now he reveals that the Corinthians had previously written to him. There are no copies of these letters left today.

Note 2 at 1 Cor. 7:1: This chapter covers the subject of marriage, divorce, and celibacy. Celibacy is discussed in more detail here than any other chapter in the Bible. These were questions that the Corinthians had asked Paul to comment on (v. 1) and were no doubt asked because of the extreme sexual immorality that existed in Corinth (see Introduction to the book of 1 Cor., p. 856). These Gentile Christians lived in a world where multiple wives were normal and sexual immorality was a part of pagan worship (see note 1 at Acts 18:1, p. 679). They needed clarification on the proper sexual conduct of a Christian.

For analysis purposes, this chapter can be divided into the instructions that Paul said were commandments from God (vv. 1-5, 10-11, 18-24-God's commands), and those which Paul said were his own opinions (vv. 6-9, 12-17, 25-40-Paul's judgments). That means only 35% of the verses in this chapter are direct commands from the Lord while 65% of the verses are Paul's opinions.

The scriptures that Paul identifies as being his own opinions and not direct commandments from the Lord deal with celibacy in verses 6-9, conditions under which a believing mate can leave a marriage and arguments against doing so (vv. 12-17) and, once again, the virtues of remaining single (vv. 25-40). The verses that Paul identifies as being direct instructions from the Lord deal with an encouragement for everyone to be married and sexual conduct towards their mate within marriage (vv. 1-5), a command against divorce (vv. 10-11), and an admonition to sanctify the marital situation they find themself in at the time of conversion (vv. 18-24).

Note 3 at 1 Cor. 7:1: Paul begins his answers to the Corinthians' questions with a shocking statement. He says it is good for a man not to touch a woman! As explained in ref. b on the word "touch" in this verse, he was speaking of not marrying, but this is still a shocking statement.

Very few people even consider celibacy but Paul makes no apologies for advocating celibacy. Paul was living a celibate life and he recommended it for those who could receive it. He brings this issue up three times in this chapter (here; vv. 7-8, 26-40).

However, it is totally wrong to interpret these statements in a way that makes those who don't marry somehow holier than those who do. That was not Paul's message. Paul's own statement in 1 Tim. 4:1-3 calls it a doctrine of the devil to forbid marriage. Therefore, it is a demonic doctrine to demand abstinence from marriage as a requirement for ministers.

Paul encourages marriage in verses 2, 9, 28, and 38. Paul also gave a command to young widows to remarry in 1 Timothy 5:14.