1 Corinthians 7:32-40

32: But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;
33: but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife,
34: and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
35: This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.

36: But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry.
37: But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, he will do well.
38: So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.

39: A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.
40: But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

*** 

Paul explained that the reason he believed it was better in some cases to remain unmarried during their time of distress was because a person who was unmarried could devote him/herself more exclusively to the Lord, which was extremely helpful during troubling times. Of course, this doesn’t mean we neglect to care for others during tough times, but rather we have more time and resources to seek the Lord in prayer, study, and worship resulting in carrying out His will as He reveals our part in that. We are not meant to be islands unto ourselves in times of trial, but avenues through which God’s purpose and blessings may freely flow.

Paul addressed unmarried daughters and said that if she wished to marry, a father was not doing wrong in allowing it, nor would he be wrong to deny her if he had determined it would be best. If a young girl did not marry by a certain age, it was often considered a disgrace to her. Paul allowed for this and said for them to do what they considered best. Neither to marry or not would be sinful.

Paul also said a second marriage for a widow was allowed if she married another believer. However, he once again reiterated that he believed even a widow would be happier remaining single at that time. This concluded his response regarding marriage, which gives insight not only on marital relationships during troubling times, but some general thoughts for all times.

 


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