Unity And The Unmarried (7:25-40)
Neal Pollard
This is one of Paul’s earlier letters, probably written from Ephesus during his third missionary journey. It would have been about a decade before Nero takes his life. When he writes in this paragraph about the “present distress” (26), life was about to get hard for the Christian in various parts of the Roman Empire.
Some suggest that this is an allusion to a famine that occurred around this time under the emperor Claudius. Many think it an allusion to looming persecution. Against that backdrop, Paul writes some instructions to virgins and widows, and the otherwise unmarried. The Corinthians seemed troubled by how best to proceed if not married. Paul thoroughly addresses that here. He makes clear that whether or not to be married, so long as is consistent with the Lord’s teaching on marriage (39), is a matter of judgment rather than a matter of truth and error.
PAUL’S LIST OF REASONS WHY STAYING SINGLE WAS PREFERABLE
Of course, Paul has already said that it is better to marry than burn with passion (9). Yet, Paul makes a defense for the unmarried to “remain as I” (8). In the middle of this paragraph, he says, “I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you” (35). What is Paul’s rationale?
- “The current distress” (26). We do not know what Paul specifically had in mind here, but it was a time of difficulty which he felt should at least be considered by single Christians contemplating marriage. There may be times when the winds of culture blow adversely for a Christian, who may not want to add worrying about a spouse and children suffering, too.
- The married will have additional trouble in this life (28). In every generation, there will be additional trouble for every member added to a household. This is true financially, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It’s not a negative observation; it’s just a fact.
- The married have concerns not borne by the single (32-34). If one makes the decision to get married, he or she has more than the Lord to please. The married person must focus on pleasing his or her spouse. Paul elaborates on that more in Ephesians 5:22-33, using marriage to illustrate Christ and the church. Peter also deals with it in 1 Peter 3:1-7. The married have divided interests the single do not (34).
- The single can exercise undistracted devotion to the Lord (35). This is a corollary to the last reason. Stated positively, the unmarried can focus more fully on his or her relationship with God than the married can.
PAUL’S OVERRIDING PRINCIPLE
So that he is not misinterpreted, Paul repeatedly makes it clear that this is not a command of the Lord. Though he feels that his case is supported by “the Spirit of God” (40), he says, “I give an opinion” (25), “I think then” (26), reiterates that one who decides either way “does well” (38), and bookends the discussion by again asserting that whether or not the marriageable marries or stays single is a matter of “opinion” (40). Paul is asking each Christian to evaluate their situation and make the best spiritual decision for their own circumstance.
The overriding principle is “please the Lord” and decide what state or condition you can do that best in–as married or single. Some have that decision made for them (cf. Matt. 19:9) and some choose to make that decision (Mat. 19:12). I have known Christians who chose to make that decision and served God with distinction as preachers, missionaries, and godly, faithful Christian men and women.
Married Christians must never forget to include and encourage single Christians in their circle of friends and loved ones. We must also value their contributions as highly as their married counterparts. This is a practical application of unity among the body of Christ, where the world might be divided.
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