1 Corinthians 7:31-40

1 Corinthians 7:31

And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

 

He admonishes those who use (employ) the things of this world for the furtherance of the ministry to make sure they do not fashion themselves or their methods after the ways of the world since the world and all its possessions will come to an abrupt end on the last day.

 

 

1 Corinthians 7:32

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:

 

Here is the principle that Paul is trying to annunciate. A person who is not married is one who will have additional time to concern themselves with the ministry of the Lord. They are able to come and go when a ministry opportunity arises. They do not have to worry about leaving someone at home that has to be care about. A single person may be able to give more funds to the Lord’s work along with the time.

 

 

1 Corinthians 7:33

But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

 

Careth - Concerned

 

Those who are married must dedicate more time within their marriage especially if there are children involved. There is a divided interest within the married lifestyle. Ministry sometimes must take a back seat to the family circumstances. Let us say that a couple want to go on a short term mission trip but either the husband or wife becomes ill, that means the other must stay home and care for them. There is very little freedom within the married/family life to do any type of extended ministry but there are exceptions. If that does happen, it normally will happen when the children are all grown up and moved out, then the parents will be able to do ministry.

 

 

1 Corinthians 7:34

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.

 

Here Paul reiterates the same principle except he adds one more element that the unmarried woman cares more for the things of the Lord. She is able to be holy (separated unto) in both body and spirit in dedication of herself to the work of the Lord without division or diversion in her walk. She is able to dedicate more time and resources for the work of the Lord.

 

She that is married must dedicate herself to her marriage. The married woman must commit herself to her marriage and the responsibilities of that marriage. While her hearts desire is to be fully dedicated unto the Lord, yet because of family responsibilities she is unable to dedicate as much time as a single woman can. However, there is one thing that must be realized that God did not give the family as an excuse to evade ministry. Families can have wonderful ministries if the parents rule the children instead of the other way around.

 

 

1 Corinthians 7:35

And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

 

Profit - for their good or best welfare

Snare - Hunting noose or restraint

Distraction - A hindering distraction

 

Paul is stating the aforementioned life principles not to be a restraining factor in their life but that these principles of living single, if possible, will be for their good in that they will have a life of unhindered distraction of waiting upon the Lord. Paul always gave principles to his churches which would be for their good, even though maybe at the time he gave them it seemed harsh or cold. When Paul speaks about not wanting to cast a snare upon single people, he speaks of those who want to be married. The snare would be to try and remain single but burn in passion, especially if you are courting someone and to be married. Paul does not want the snare of lustful sin to plague anyone. Remember, Paul said it was better to marry than to burn. This is why he brings up the pros and cons of the single and married life. If two people are biblically qualified to marry, the Bible never condemns that marriage or the act of marriage. If someone stayed single who wanted to be married, then that may become a distraction to them and may veer them off the Biblical course. Two people in marriage can do ministry without the distraction of sexual desires because within marriage, it is perfectly fine. If someone is not married and engage in sexual activity, then they become snared, and are distracted away from the Lord’s work, and if they do not repent, will be disqualified from doing the Lord’s work.

 

 

1 Corinthians 7:36

But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.

 

Now Paul begins to admonish the parents who have authority over their children. If a father’s daughter has begun to pass the early years of marrying age. The father is to allow the couple to marry especially if she is in the closing years of child bearing age or if the father sees the couple may fall into sexual sin, he does not sin by letting them marry. In other words, Paul is saying that he has not previously laid down any rules about mandatory celibacy which would be violated by marriage. Therefore, marriage is honorable and blessed of the Lord. Some parents tend to want to get their children married even against their desires. If this happens, then the father is acting uncomely toward his daughter. She may want to remain single for the purpose of doing the Lord’s work or she may not feel any special love toward any man. To force her to marry which could lead to an ugly divorce is behaving wrongly toward his daughter.  The flower of her age may also refer to the time when a woman can no longer have a baby when she hits menopause.  (Lev 15:33 KJV) And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her that is unclean.   Leviticus 15:33 speaks of the "flower" as her monthly cycle.  So the 1 Corinthians passage may be referring to an older woman becoming married.

 

 

1 Corinthians 7:37

Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.

 

If a father decides to prohibit his daughter from marrying. He may not realize his daughter does not wish to remain single, yet he has authority (power) to make that choice for his daughter. If he chooses to keep her from being married, then Paul states he does well. However, the father must be fully convicted in his heart to take these actions on behalf of his daughter. Whether the father decrees that she marries or she does not, in both cases, the father does not sin. Sometimes the father can see something undesirable in a future son-in-law, so to keep his daughter from becoming heartbroken, he forbids the marriage.

 

 

1 Corinthians 7:38

So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.

 

If the father decides to give his daughter in marriage, he does well but if he gives her not, he does better. This is not a pitch for celibacy but a reminder that a person who is unmarried may dedicate more of their life for the Lord’s work plus may save their child a lot of heartache within the marriage relationship.

 

 

1 Corinthians 7:39

The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

 

Marriage is for life and may not be entered into lightly. If she becomes a widow, she may only marry another Christian. This verse is very plain in that it tells us that if a wife is loosed from her husband by means of death, she is then biblically qualified to marry again. If she is a Christian, then she is to marry only another Christian. We have already looked at some verses which teach that marriage after divorce is committing the sin of adultery. This verse states that marriage is for life and that is why Paul is giving these principles in this chapter to make sure that someone does not go into marriage blindly.

 

 

1 Corinthians 7:40

But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

 

Judgment - Intention

 

Paul states that if a woman becomes a widow, she is better to remain in that state. Paul gave this advice not as a counselor but under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. To summarize this section, it would be that Paul desired that the people he ministered to would be placed in the best position or state to serve the Lord.

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