I Corinthians 7:25-40: "Remaining Single"
Paul continues his discussion on being married vs. being single. In this section you will see Paul strongly defend singleness. Never does Paul speak badly about marriage, and it is indeed a wonderful gift from God. However, most likely because of the issues going on in the Corinthian church, and Paul's own experience with singleness, he here will give a strong case for remaining single. MacArthur says, "Being married or single has nothing in itself to do with spirituality. A married person for whom it is the Lord's will to be married is no more or less spiritual than a single person for whom it is the Lord's will to be single". With that in mind, Paul begins this section, "Now 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". Paul explains to us that he has "no command of the Lord", in other words, Christ never gave us a command concerning singleness. However, Paul will give his conviction to the issue, being one of trustworthy nature in the eyes of the Lord. To better understand that Paul is not just giving his opinion on a matter, but rather that this statement is divine and authoritative, MacArthur points out, "Opinion (gnome) can carry the ideas of 'judgment, consideration, and conviction.' . . . But although this perspective is authoritative, it is not given as an absolute or as a command". The thing in which Paul has a conviction about is that "in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is". In other words, because of all that is going on at this time, it is better for a single person who has never been married to remain in that state. Most likely what Paul had in mind in regard to the "present distress" is the dangerous position of being a Christian at that time. Paul knew better than anyone the suffering a Christian can go through because of their faith. He was beaten, imprisoned, and arrested numerous times. With this in mind you can see why he would be strongly convicted to remain single. To this point MacArthur explains, "Persecution is difficult enough for a single person, but the problems and pain are multiplied for one who is married. If Paul had been married, his suffering would have been magnified by his worry about his family and knowledge of their worry about him". However, if you are already married, as Paul had mentioned before, there is no option of divorce, you must remain as you are. Paul writes, "Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released". However, based on the "present distress" if you "are released from a wife? Do not seek a wife". To summarize, Paul is saying that it is better to remain in your single state than it is to be married because of the extra burden it can put on you and and your family during these distressing times. However, if you are already married, you are committed to that person until death separates.
To make sure that his readers understand that it is not wrong to marry, Paul writes, "But if you should marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin should marry, she has not sinned". Paul is saying that marriage to those who are either widowed or never been married have a legitimate option to marry if they choose. However, he wants to them to understand and carefully consider the option of singleness, and the problems that can present themselves if they choose to marry. He writes, "Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you". MacArthur writes, "The apostle is giving practical advice, not a moral or spiritual command. Believers are still sinful and subject to limitations and weaknesses of the flesh. It is hard enough for a sinner to live with himself, let alone with another sinner. When two people are bound together in marriage the problems of human nature are multiplied". Paul is making it clear that you have more to think about, more responsibility, more problems to resolve when you get married, and to add that to the already present persecution, it is better to consider your option of singleness.
To put the reader's mind in the proper perspective, Paul then uses this next section to help us understand the brief nature of this world and that we ought to use our time to focus on heavenly things rather than earthly things that will soon pass away. "But 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". Paul wants the readers to understand that marriage is not an eternal relationship. Marriage is only a life long commitment, not an eternal commitment, and because of this, they ought to put it in its proper perspective. As humans we must remember that life is a "vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away" (James 4:14). Paul is not saying that marriage is not binding on a believing couple, he has told us previously this is not the case, however, he is saying we need to understand that the most important relationship is with our heavenly father, as that is an eternal relationship. MacArthur writes, "Paul is teaching that marriage should not reduce a Christian's obligation and devotion to the Lord and His work. The responsibilities of marriage are no excuse for slacking the Lord's work. That is to invert priorities". Paul also reminds us of the temporary and priority in regard to our emotions, possessions and pleasures. Paul writes, "and 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; and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it". We are not to be carried away by our emotions, we are not to idolize our possession and we are not to be mastered by our desires. None of these things listed are wrong in themselves, but when they take the rightful place of our devotion to God, Paul tells us that this is wrong. He reminds us, "for the form of this world is passing away". Let us remember to keep our devotion to the most important and only eternal relationship we will have: the one with Christ.
Paul will again give us another reason that it is better to remain single than to marry. Paul writes, "But I want you to be free from concern". Paul understands there are so many earthly things vying for our time and effort that he wants us to be able to remain focused on God. The best way to do this is to remain single. He explains, "One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord". Without a wife and kids to have to care for both spiritually, physically and emotionally, a Christian can spend more of his time and energy serving the Lord. For one who is married, Paul says, "is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided". It is true that once we get married we are now responsible for both our and our spouses spiritual condition. We are also focused on providing food and shelter and clothing. These are all things that take time and effort and simply do not allow us to focus that energy on our walk with the Lord.
Paul continues, "And 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". Again, Paul reiterates the fact that a woman who no longer has a husband, or never had one only has her relationship with God to concern herself with. When she is married she must also spend her time pleasing her husband and taking care of the children. Her being "holy both in body and spirit" has to do with her being "set apart" and devoted as she is not divided in her interests, but rather can be set apart and devoted to God. MacArthur points out, "Marriage does not prevent great devotion to the Lord, and singleness does not guarantee it. But singleness has fewer hindrances and more advantages. It is easier for a single person to be singleminded in the things of the Lord. The married Christian has no choice". Paul explains his motive for saying these things, "And this I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is seemly, and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord". Paul was making sure his readers understood that the things he was saying were not to be legalistic or to keep them from enjoying the benefits of marriage, rather it was to spur them on to holy and devoted lives to Christ.
Paul now moved to discussion as to the father's role in letting his daughter get married. Paul writes, "But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she should be of full age, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry". To understand this passage it helps to understand the Jewish culture. MacArthur writes, "In Jewish culture, parents, and particularly fathers, had long had a dominant role in deciding whom their children would marry. . . . In light of the extant teaching about the advantages of singleness, some of the fathers in Corinth apparently had dedicated their young daughters to the Lord as permanent virgins. But when the daughters became of marriageable age, many of them no doubt wanted to be married, and their fathers were in a quandry. Should they break the vow they made for the girl?" This helps us understand the predicament the father was in. In this section Paul releases the father of the vow he made for his daughter, and says it is OK to let her marry. So just as unmarried people are under no restraint and do not commit sin by marrying, a father does not sin who has made the vow and changes his mind based on his daughters need. However, a father that does not change his mind and keeps his vow, Paul writes, "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". MacArthur helps explain, "But if the father stands firm in his heart, that is, does not change his mind about the promise; and is under no constraint by the daughter to change his mind; and has a good and pure motive (has authority over his own will) and is deeply committed (decided this in his own heart); he may keep his own virgin daughter". To summarize, Paul writes, "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". Therefore, we can see that Paul leaves the door open for anyone who has never been married to be free to marry as her and her father see fit, as long as she is of age, and will marry a Christian (7:39). However, Paul reiterates that she will be in a better position if she and her father hold to the vow and she remain single.
Because Paul has spoken so strongly and favorably towards singleness, he wants to make sure his readers understand the permanency and importance of the vows of marriage. He writes, "A wife is bound as long as her husband lives". This was to make sure it was understand that if you were married, do not desire to now be single because of all Paul has said. Your devotion is to your spouse. The only thing that will release the wife from her marriage is death. Paul writes, "but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom who wishes". To reiterate, Paul says that a widow does have the option to remarry and she is free to do so, however, she must understand that he is to be a Christian, "only in the Lord". However, to once again affirm what he has been saying the whole section he reminds her, "But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God".
To make sure that his readers understand that it is not wrong to marry, Paul writes, "But if you should marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin should marry, she has not sinned". Paul is saying that marriage to those who are either widowed or never been married have a legitimate option to marry if they choose. However, he wants to them to understand and carefully consider the option of singleness, and the problems that can present themselves if they choose to marry. He writes, "Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you". MacArthur writes, "The apostle is giving practical advice, not a moral or spiritual command. Believers are still sinful and subject to limitations and weaknesses of the flesh. It is hard enough for a sinner to live with himself, let alone with another sinner. When two people are bound together in marriage the problems of human nature are multiplied". Paul is making it clear that you have more to think about, more responsibility, more problems to resolve when you get married, and to add that to the already present persecution, it is better to consider your option of singleness.
To put the reader's mind in the proper perspective, Paul then uses this next section to help us understand the brief nature of this world and that we ought to use our time to focus on heavenly things rather than earthly things that will soon pass away. "But 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". Paul wants the readers to understand that marriage is not an eternal relationship. Marriage is only a life long commitment, not an eternal commitment, and because of this, they ought to put it in its proper perspective. As humans we must remember that life is a "vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away" (James 4:14). Paul is not saying that marriage is not binding on a believing couple, he has told us previously this is not the case, however, he is saying we need to understand that the most important relationship is with our heavenly father, as that is an eternal relationship. MacArthur writes, "Paul is teaching that marriage should not reduce a Christian's obligation and devotion to the Lord and His work. The responsibilities of marriage are no excuse for slacking the Lord's work. That is to invert priorities". Paul also reminds us of the temporary and priority in regard to our emotions, possessions and pleasures. Paul writes, "and 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; and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it". We are not to be carried away by our emotions, we are not to idolize our possession and we are not to be mastered by our desires. None of these things listed are wrong in themselves, but when they take the rightful place of our devotion to God, Paul tells us that this is wrong. He reminds us, "for the form of this world is passing away". Let us remember to keep our devotion to the most important and only eternal relationship we will have: the one with Christ.
Paul will again give us another reason that it is better to remain single than to marry. Paul writes, "But I want you to be free from concern". Paul understands there are so many earthly things vying for our time and effort that he wants us to be able to remain focused on God. The best way to do this is to remain single. He explains, "One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord". Without a wife and kids to have to care for both spiritually, physically and emotionally, a Christian can spend more of his time and energy serving the Lord. For one who is married, Paul says, "is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided". It is true that once we get married we are now responsible for both our and our spouses spiritual condition. We are also focused on providing food and shelter and clothing. These are all things that take time and effort and simply do not allow us to focus that energy on our walk with the Lord.
Paul continues, "And 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". Again, Paul reiterates the fact that a woman who no longer has a husband, or never had one only has her relationship with God to concern herself with. When she is married she must also spend her time pleasing her husband and taking care of the children. Her being "holy both in body and spirit" has to do with her being "set apart" and devoted as she is not divided in her interests, but rather can be set apart and devoted to God. MacArthur points out, "Marriage does not prevent great devotion to the Lord, and singleness does not guarantee it. But singleness has fewer hindrances and more advantages. It is easier for a single person to be singleminded in the things of the Lord. The married Christian has no choice". Paul explains his motive for saying these things, "And this I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is seemly, and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord". Paul was making sure his readers understood that the things he was saying were not to be legalistic or to keep them from enjoying the benefits of marriage, rather it was to spur them on to holy and devoted lives to Christ.
Paul now moved to discussion as to the father's role in letting his daughter get married. Paul writes, "But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she should be of full age, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry". To understand this passage it helps to understand the Jewish culture. MacArthur writes, "In Jewish culture, parents, and particularly fathers, had long had a dominant role in deciding whom their children would marry. . . . In light of the extant teaching about the advantages of singleness, some of the fathers in Corinth apparently had dedicated their young daughters to the Lord as permanent virgins. But when the daughters became of marriageable age, many of them no doubt wanted to be married, and their fathers were in a quandry. Should they break the vow they made for the girl?" This helps us understand the predicament the father was in. In this section Paul releases the father of the vow he made for his daughter, and says it is OK to let her marry. So just as unmarried people are under no restraint and do not commit sin by marrying, a father does not sin who has made the vow and changes his mind based on his daughters need. However, a father that does not change his mind and keeps his vow, Paul writes, "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". MacArthur helps explain, "But if the father stands firm in his heart, that is, does not change his mind about the promise; and is under no constraint by the daughter to change his mind; and has a good and pure motive (has authority over his own will) and is deeply committed (decided this in his own heart); he may keep his own virgin daughter". To summarize, Paul writes, "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". Therefore, we can see that Paul leaves the door open for anyone who has never been married to be free to marry as her and her father see fit, as long as she is of age, and will marry a Christian (7:39). However, Paul reiterates that she will be in a better position if she and her father hold to the vow and she remain single.
Because Paul has spoken so strongly and favorably towards singleness, he wants to make sure his readers understand the permanency and importance of the vows of marriage. He writes, "A wife is bound as long as her husband lives". This was to make sure it was understand that if you were married, do not desire to now be single because of all Paul has said. Your devotion is to your spouse. The only thing that will release the wife from her marriage is death. Paul writes, "but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom who wishes". To reiterate, Paul says that a widow does have the option to remarry and she is free to do so, however, she must understand that he is to be a Christian, "only in the Lord". However, to once again affirm what he has been saying the whole section he reminds her, "But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God".
posted by amesfam | 9:44 AM
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