1 Corinthians 7:36-40

                                                             1 Corinthians 7:36-40

If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better. A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

In these final paragraphs of the chapter, Paul summarizes the main points he has been making.  The fact that he repeats it so many times demonstrates the importance of the subject.  That which is important to God should be important to us.  Paul’s concern is for the purity of believers and for the advancement of the Gospel.  As we consider marriage these two priorities should always inform our thinking.

 

MARRIAGE IS PERMITTED: Marriage is the prescribed solution for those who have strong sexual desires that would represent a temptation that could potentially derail a person’s ministry.  Marriage is God’s plan for the family and for the majority of people.  Paul lived in extraordinary times with an extraordinary role to play in founding the church.  We must all live with a sense of urgency for the advancement of the Gospel however, we are not all called to the same life that Paul was called to.  We are free to marry in the Lord and enjoy the gifts that God has given us in marriage.

 

CELIBACY IS PREFERED: The preference for celibacy is Paul’s personal choice and he believes that it is the best option for those who are in key positions of pioneering ministry.  The key to being able to make this choice is having one’s passions under control.  A single person who is constantly being tempted by sexual sin is not going to be effective in ministry.  There are certain places and types of ministries that can most effectively be accomplished by those who are single.  Celibacy must be given apt consideration if one feels called to this type of ministry.

 

MARRIAGE IS PERMANENT: Once a person is married, they are to stay married and should never consider ending a marriage for the purpose of furthering ministry.  Nothing can be more harmful to the cause of Christ than a ministry who ends a marriage.  The bond of marriage can only be broken by death.  In the case of death the living person is now single and permitted to remarry or Paul would recommend staying single to fucus on ministry once again.

 

APPLICATION: We are free to marry if we are unmarried and believe that marriage is the best way to stay pure and advance the kingdom.  Celibacy should be a valid and serious consideration for certain ministers. Those who are married must stay married and be devoted to their family.

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