Marriage
Day 589, Monday, Mar. 23
1 Corinthians 7:1-16
In these verses Paul presents a vision of extreme equality and reciprocity in marriage. In sexual relations, the husband and wife are to look to the needs of the other. “The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.”
It is notable that Paul’s phrasing does not speak of each having authority over the other, but instead speaks of each as yielding that authority. Authority here is something to be given, not taken.
Throughout the passage many of Paul’s statements come in careful pairings—he doesn’t just say that the two have the same responsibilities toward one another, but makes a point of repeating that the responsibility the wife has toward her husband the husband also has toward his wife.
The exception to the equal responsibilities comes in verses 10 and 11, where Paul puts limitations on women who choose to separate from their husbands, but completely forbids husbands divorcing their wives. In a society in which an unmarried woman is in a very difficult position both socially and financially, the separation can only be at the woman’s initiative—a complete reversal of the societal norms of the day.
Amid this discussion of marriage, Paul expresses a desire that people remain single, as he is. That preference, though, is not given as a command.

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Monday meditation

Psalms 102:12-22
But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations. You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come. For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity. The nations will fear the name of the Lord, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory. For the Lord will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.
Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord: “The Lord looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.” So the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the Lord.

Prayer focus
Whether in marriage or in singleness, let us be people of sacrificial love.