Episode 188 - "Be dedicated to the Lord" - 1 Corinthians 7:25-40

1Cor. 7:25 Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26 I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. 29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

1Cor. 7:32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

1Cor. 7:36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. 37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. 38 So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.

1Cor. 7:39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

In this episode, you’ll notice that we’re looking at a longer-than-normal section of Scripture. The primary reason for this is the principle within this Scripture is a continuation of what he’s already said in the text we’ve read in the past few episodes. That principle is there is wisdom in remaining how you are. In verses 25-31 Paul expresses his opinion that single people should remain single. Why? He explains that it’s because of “this present distress.” (v. 26) In verse 28 he says, “those who marry will have worldly troubles.” Then in verse 29 he writes, “ the appointed time has grown very short.” What does he mean by all this? I think he explains it in verse 31, “the present form of this world is passing away.” Paul wants Christians to focus on preparing for Christ’s return.

He explains this more in verses 32-35. His point is that when you’re married, you have obligations in this world. If you are single, you don’t have a wife, children, or perhaps others to take care of. Therefore, one can dedicate themselves to the work of the Lord.

He’s said it before. But in verses 36-38, Paul reemphasizes that it is not a sin to get married, and if one has difficulty controlling their sexual urges, they should marry. But, if possible, he says it is best if one can remain single and focus on service to the Lord.

Finally, in verses 39-40, Paul applies this same principle to widows. He repeats that marriage designed by God is a lifelong commitment. When a woman’s husband dies, she is free to remarry. However, he says that it’s best if she can “remain as she is” and serve the Lord.

It may be easy for someone to read this and say, “it doesn’t apply to me.” But it does apply to each one of us. It applies by teaching and exhorting each one of us not to prioritize relationships and activities over what the Lord may want of us. There are people who may experience a divorce or perhaps the death of a spouse, and their highest goal is to go out and find a new spouse. People who’ve never married may feel as though they haven’t been successful in life unless they get married and have children. Paul is advising against these trends, which are common in our society. Paul would say to this that our priorities are messed up.

It appears to me that what Paul is advocating is in line with Jesus’ teaching. In Luke 14:26, Luke records Jesus’ words as, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Jesus is not contradicting the Ten Commandments, which teach us to honor our parents. His point is that our priority is first to the Lord.

Whatever life situation we are in, we should seek to serve the Lord the best way we are able.