I find 1 Corinthians 7 to be a very interesting passage in scripture. Paul is well known by followers of Christ for thousands of years now for his complete devotion to Christ and willingness to suffer joyfully for Christ. He had what might be called a gift of singleness. He was able to more fully devote himself toward God without the distraction or division of his interests between a spouse and God. For him, this did not draw him into sexual sin. However, even as he shares this consideration and how it may be a right and good choice for others, he is careful and clear that it is not for all. Many are better suited to marry and serve God from within that marriage.
What is clear in this passage, but often overlooked, is that when we marry we should absolutely expect to be putting a significant amount of our focus on our spouse and our marriage. Marriage has to be a primary focus to do it right. Your spouse has to be second only to God in your priorities.
25Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy. 26I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you. 29But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; 30and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; 31and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.
32But 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; 33but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34and 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. 35This 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.
36But 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. 37But 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. 38So 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.
39A 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. 40But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.
Take note of how carefully Paul identifies up front that this is his opinion rather than a command from the Lord. In this case, Paul expresses the positive aspects he sees for those who have the gift of singleness remaining unmarried. Those of us who follow Christ do well to clearly differentiate God’s commands from our views as Paul did. There are many things that are not absolute such as in Paul’s reference to whether or not someone should marry. These should not be confused with those things for which God has clearly spoken and are absolute.
Reflect prayerfully on your interactions with others. Do you clearly differentiate your opinion and preferences from what is absolute right and wrong as instructed by God? Ask for God’s help to clarify this area for you to help you in your own life choices and also in effectively engaging and supporting other believers or non-believers on key issues. If we are not careful, opinions can drive division in the body of Christ where there should otherwise be unity.
Also, take time in prayer to reflect on the balance and priority you have in your life. If you are single, are you primarily focused on God and how to serve Him? If you are married, are you focusing on God and also on your spouse as priorities in your life? Ask God to show you if you are out of balance and need to make changes.
Shalom. May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you. Devotion by John in service to Christ
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