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.

1 Corinthians 7

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. 1 Corinthians 7:35

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - aided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 7:25-40. The main idea*: "[m]arried couples and singles should aim to live in ways pleasing to God and work for his kingdom, yet singles have a special opportunity to serve God and avoid many earthly difficulties." The introduction* from the commentary emphasizes that regardless of how contemporary church culture may make it awkward for single people by encouraging marriage, "[t]he God who gave us the gift of marriage also gives us the gift of singleness. Singleness is not a lackluster position in God’s kingdom. No one is less spiritual for remaining single. Indeed, God blesses the single state for the Christian in several ways."  The commentary* unpacks the text with the following four divisions:

1. The Spiritual Single Can Expect Less Distress (7:25-28): Paul shares how while there is no law or command for single people yet he offers guidance he believes is trustworthy. The commentary offers: "[l]ife is filled with difficulties and troubles. Sometimes, as it was for the Corinthians, life is extreme and intense. So remaining unmarried is a good thing and lessens one’s obligations, pressures, and responsibilities."
   
2. The Spiritual Single Can Encounter Fewer Distractions (7:29-31): The verses urge believers to focus on things eternal and as such we are to keep our priorities on God.  Marriage, work, and worldly distractions abound and we should avoid getting too entangled in these distractions - we must be prepared for Christ and not forget that this world is passing away. We are referred to Colossians 3:1-2. 
3. The Spiritual Single Can Enjoy Greater Devotion (7:32-35): Paul encourages singles to enjoy the freedom they have to focus on an undivided attention to God.
   
4. The Spiritual Single Can Exercise a Better Decision (7:36-40): Fewer obligations and responsibilities for the single person offers singles more clarity of mind.  At the same time, those who opt to marry are not sinful.
   

The commentary's* conclusion provides the following Biblical examples of singles who devoted their lives to God:

• The greatest person who ever lived was single: the God-Man, Jesus Christ. 
• The greatest mere human who ever lived was single: John the Baptist. 
• The greatest missionary and theologian who ever lived was single: the apostle Paul. 
• The greatest statesman who ever lived was single: Daniel. 
• The greatest prophets of Israel who ever lived were single: Elijah and Elisha.
  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - I am blessed with marriage and a God who equips me to serve within my marriage and family.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouse to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

*Akin, Dr. Daniel L.; Merritt, James. Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

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.

1 Corinthians 7

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. 1 Corinthians 7:35

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - unaided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 7:25-40. 

• v25: Paul states that based on his extensive knowledge of Old Testament moral law - unlike for marriage - he is not aware of anything in the law that does not specifically provide any command or instruction for virgins/unmarried (per ESV footnote, Greek text translates to virgins vs translation to English word betrothed).  However, he does proceed to offer his guidance and shares that he is trustworthy.
• v26-27: building on text from yesterday v17-24 about anxiety, he writes how he does not want virgins/unmarried to be worried about finding a spouse and getting married - God is sovereign over the details of our lives and He has a plan for each of us - right where we are in our present circumstances.
• v28: Paul then cautions those virgins/unmarried that do marry to avoid being concerned about changing their circumstances - this is not sinful. Yet at the same time, don't assume that marriage will be a trouble/anxiety free endeavor - this a mythical/idyllic portrait; on the contrary temptations and challenges abound for all including married couples.
•  v29-31: Paul pivots to how all believers, regardless of the their circumstances (married, widowed, virgins, bondservants, circumcised, etc.) should not be anxious of their circumstances but focus on the reality that our earthly circumstances are temporary and that "the present form of this world is passing away".  Focus on things eternal and preparing for the Lord's return.
• v32-35: Paul reiterates that we should be free from anxiety - and too intense a focus on marriage by virgins and widowers will serve as a distraction from devotion to the Lord.
• v36: Further unpacking his guidance for virgins/unmarried and widowers, Paul shares how sexual temptations might be overwhelming and in this case, marriage might help.
• v37-38: In contrast to those who do face strong temptations, Paul describes those whose temptations are under control based on perhaps a mature faith and trust in God. These people are in a better position to focus their attention on the Lord vs pleasing a spouse which again may be distraction for devotion to the Lord.
• v39-40: Paul concludes by explicitly including widowers in his guidance - don't be anxious about remarriage as God will use your circumstances.  But at the same time, it is not a sin if you do remarry.     

Comment and discuss this post.

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves and who is full of grace and compassion for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of all the blessings You pour out for me - every day.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.