1 Corinthians 7:1-2, 7-9, 25-40 (NLT)
1Now about the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to live
a celibate life. 2But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man
should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband . . .
7I wish everyone could get along without marrying, just as I do. But we are
not all the same. God gives some the gift of marriage, and to others he gives
the gift of singleness. 8Now I say to those who aren't married and to widows--it's
better to stay unmarried, just as I am. 9But if they can't control themselves,
they should go ahead and marry. It's better to marry than to burn with lust
. . . 25Now, about the young women who are not yet married, I do not have
a command from the Lord for them. But the Lord in his kindness has given me
wisdom that can be trusted, and I will share it with you. 26Because of the
present crisis, I think it is best to remain just as you are. 27If you have
a wife, do not end the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not get married.
28But if you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married,
it is not a sin. However, I am trying to spare you the extra problems that
come with marriage. 29Now let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The
time that remains is very short, so husbands should not let marriage be their
major concern. 30Happiness or sadness or wealth should not keep anyone from
doing God's work. 31Those in frequent contact with the things of the world
should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for this world
and all it contains will pass away. 32In everything you do, I want you to
be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time
doing the Lord's work and thinking how to please him. 33But a married man
can't do that so well. He has to think about his earthly responsibilities
and how to please his wife. 34His interests are divided. In the same way,
a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be more devoted
to the Lord in body and in spirit, while the married woman must be concerned
about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. 35I am saying
this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do
whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.
36But if a man thinks he ought to marry his fiancée because he has
trouble controlling his passions and time is passing, it is all right; it
is not a sin. Let them marry. 37But if he has decided firmly not to marry
and there is no urgency and he can control his passion, he does well not to
marry. 38So the person who marries does well, and the person who doesn't marry
does even better. 39A wife is married to her husband as long as he lives.
If her husband dies, she is free to marry whomever she wishes, but this must
be a marriage acceptable to the Lord. 40But in my opinion it will be better
for her if she doesn't marry again, and I think I am giving you counsel from
God's Spirit when I say this.
How should we view "singleness"?
Singleness is not a cumbersome DRAG but a winsome GIFT!
(vv. 1, 7, 9, 38)
Singleness has valuable assets that marriage doesn't have:
1. More Freedom (v. 32)
2. Less Distractions (v. 35)
So, we are to unwrap this gift joyfully either for a lifetime or for a season
of life (vs. 7-9).
Then how can we celebrate the gift of singleness?
1. Gladly accept your present status as a gift (Jeremiah
29:11).
2. Practice self-control and discernment while
celebrating (Proverb 25:28).
3. Focus your freedom to serve God and others (Galatians
5:13).
