1 Corinthians 7:2-3

The Purpose of Marriage 3

The third purpose of marriage is to avoid sexual immorality. 1 Corinthians 7:2-3 says, "But because of immoralities, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. The husband should fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband." The issue of immorality often refers to physical union before or outside of marriage, but this issue can be viewed as originating in the heart and thoughts before it manifests physically. Immorality in physical union is preceded by immorality in the heart and mind. In our time, much like in Sodom and Gomorrah, people are pursuing sexual pleasure outside the beautiful marital relationship created by God, following their own desires. Christian young people preparing for marriage must guard their purity for the spouse that the Lord has prepared for them. Christian couples who are already married must properly fulfill their responsibilities and duties to each other. They must understand each other’s sexual needs and learn to satisfy those needs. The husband must work hard to understand his wife and meet her needs, and the wife must recognize her husband’s sexual needs and strive to meet them. This is the mutual duty Paul refers to in 1 Corinthians 7:3.