symphony

In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul responds to issues that were presented to him, in writing, that were related to whether or not to marry (7:1). Corinth was a port city known for its debauchery and fornication (casual sex contacts) and to this end Paul writes that every man is to have his own wife and every woman her own husband (7:2). Paul also advises that sexual abstinence within marriage would not be a regular practice. And, if so, it should be, with “mutual consent” (7:5). From the Greek word which Paul used here, comes our word symphony. Literally, it means: together-sound. With us, it means a piece of music in which different musical instruments are heard at the same time. Is symphony not a beautiful word in the context in which Paul uses it? Sex is, in many marriages, a source of conflict and it can easily drive a wedge between spouses. This becomes all the more beautiful, when instead of dissonance, symphony is the result in connection with this issue. Different sounds, and yet, harmony. This is only possible when the husband effaces himself for his wife and the wife for her husband (7:4). Then it is love that makes the music.

Delen: