Scripture Post #202: *SINGLE AS PAUL*

1st Corinthians 7: 

7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

Context: This Scripture was from Apostle Paul and Sosthenes, unto the Church at Corinth (1st Cor. 1:1-2). 

Apostle Paul is basically saying that he thinks it's best for Christians to live unmarried, celibate lives like himself. But if it's too difficult to live that way, then marry. Because it's better to marry than to burn with sexual desires in being single. Verse 38 states: "So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better." Why does Apostle Paul feel that it's better to be single than married? Why in verse 38 did he state that, he who doesn't marry does better than he who marries? Because, in verses 32-34 he states: [verse 32:] But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

[verse 33:] But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

[verse 34:] There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband." What Apostle Paul's meaning here is: If you're a single man or woman, you can easily do more for GOD than if you were married. Because, a married person must invest effort in the marriage for it to work. But if that married person were unmarried, the effort placed in the marriage could go for GOD on top of the effort already given towards GOD: The single person can do more for GOD than the married person can (he/she doesn't have a spouse to care for—more for GOD.)

But it's okay if Christians marry. It's not a sin; it's just more troublesome than being single. (Verse 28: "But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.")

Originally Published: Tuesday, 4/2/13