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Christians in Corinth were surrounded by sexual temptations. The city had a reputation even among pagans for sexual immorality and religious prostitution. It was this kind of society that Paul wanted to teach sex and marriage from a godly perspective. The Corinthians needed special, specific instructions because of their culture’s immoral standards. Sexual temptations are difficult to withstand because they appeal to the normal and natural desires God has given us. Marriage provides God’s way to satisfy these natural sexual desires and to strengthen the partners against temptation. Married couples have a responsibility to care for each other. Therefore, husbands and wives should not withhold themselves sexually from one another but should fulfill each other’s needs and desires.

1 Corinthians 7:1-5

Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 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. 5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.