1 Corinthians 7:25-31

                                                                 1 Corinthians 7:25-31

 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. I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is.Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 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. 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, 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, 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.

 

Paul lived in a day of extreme persecution and had an expectation that Christ was going to return quickly.  Paul’s priority was to announce the Gospel to as many people in as many places as possible.  Marriage and dealing with the business of this world’s system would have been a distraction from this priority.  He taught some principles that continue to be instructive for us today.

 

DON’T CHANGE MARRITAL STATUS: Marriage is a blessing from God and the natural state necessary for human flourishing.  However, the advance of the kingdom of God and the preaching of the Gospel in all nations is a more important priority than getting married.  As a single man, Paul enjoyed freedom to travel and face persecution without fear of how it would impact his family.  In light of the times in which Paul lived, his advice was for single believers to remain single and for married believers to remain married.  Those who were single should not put the time and effort into becoming married so they could focus on advancing the Gospel. However, those who were married must remain so, also for the sake of the reputation of the Gospel.  However, Paul makes it clears that those who are single and decide to get married are not sinning.  The key is to understand how we can most effectively advance the Gospel.

 

DO CHANGE WORLDLY STATUS: As believers, our status in this world is to be that of strangers and aliens in this world.  We must not become enamored by the things that this world has to offer.  These worldly pursuits can easily become distractions from the Gospel.  So, in light of the persecution the early church was facing, they were to live as though they were not married, not mourn the loss of loved ones, not take time to celebrate victories, not focus on our possessions, and, in general, not have dealings with the things of this world.  Since the world is temporary and passing quickly, the priority of believers should not be on the things of this world, but our focus should be on that which is eternal.

 

APPLICATION: Determine how your marital status can best be used to advance the Gospel.  Those who are still single must determine if celibacy is a viable option for them to be able to remain pure.  Singles who have a strong desire to be married and believe that a marriage would open doors for advancing the kingdom should marry.  Those who are married must remain married to maintain a testimony before the world.  We must focus our efforts on reaching the world and not strive to become a part of its systems. 

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