1 Corinthians 7:25-40

About the Text

(26) What is the "present crisis" mentioned in this verse? It refers to the many tribulations that God allows us to endure as a result of being in the end times. In these letters of Paul, the end times are viewed as the time between Christ's first and second coming, which is pushing 2,000 years. In the days of the early church, Christians endured ferocious persecution and torture, eventually ending with the fall of the Roman Empire. Today, we still hear of wars, famine, and economic hardship as we come even closer to Christ's second coming.

(27) Who is the "unmarried" in this verse? Those who are divorced. In the original Greek language, this word has the same root as the word for "divorced" in the previous sentence.

(28) Is Paul down on marriage? No. In fact, he says it is not a sin. But because there was so much persecution, he said it would be wiser to stay single if a Christian had the gift to do so.

(29) These are strange verses. Is the Bible commanding that we should separate from our wives, and stop being "happy"? No, certainly not. Remember that in 1 Cor. 7:1-4, Paul commanded us not to separate from our spouses. What Paul meant in these verses, rather, is that the world will be turned upside down someday. We should not get too obsessed with earthly things (and singles should not get too obsessed with marriage), because these things are only temporary. In Matt. 22:30, Jesus even mentions that there will be no marriage in the afterlife.

(38) Is Paul promoting singleness as a "holier" state of life? No. He was promoting singleness out of his concern for the welfare and happiness of the Corinthian Christians during times of persecution and distress. This is why he mentions "she is happier" (v. 40), "does even better" (v. 28), "I would like you to be free from concern [i.e. anxiety]" (v. 32), and "I want to spare you this." (v. 28)

Insights

• Why God wants us to pursue the simple life (or for a few, the single life)?
• You will better endure unexpected crisis. (25-28)
• You'll avoid getting too obsessed with worldly things. (29-31)
• You will be more devoted to the Lord. (32-35)

The Bottom Line

Keep life simple. We have a strong motive for leading such a life - Jesus Christ rescued us from our sinful condition by taking upon Himself the punishment that we deserved. Those who believe have a new life in Jesus Christ, and can't help but want to live in obedience to Him. If you are a Christian, then keeping your life simple will give you more freedom to follow Christ. Cars, boats, and vacation homes are by no means wrong to have. But when we get obsessed with them, they hinder our ability to help our brother in need, and to worship our Lord. The same with marriage. Singles who worry too much about getting married (e.g. thinking it's the only way to be happy) will find it difficult to do be fully devoted to the Lord and do His work.