I Corinthians 7:29-20

For this lesson, we will continue our study of

I Corinthians 7.

Last time, we concluded with these statements:

1. It is God’s provision for satisfying our sexual desires according to God’s design.

3. We need to do what we can to keep a marriage together, but there is a limit, and we are not bound to keep an unwilling spouse.

(1 Cor 7:24) Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called. {25} Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy.

(1 Cor7:26) I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress; that it is good for a man to remain as he is: {27} Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.

This is Paul’s judgment: It isn’t God’s commandment! Paul continues:

(1 Cor 7:28) But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.

(1 Cor 7:28 TLB) But if you men decide to go ahead anyway and get married now, it is all right; and if a girl gets married in times like these, it is no sin. However, marriage will bring extra problems that I wish you didn't have to face right now.

Apparently, Paul is talking about difficult times that they were going through,

and marriage can make things more difficult.

(1 Cor 7:29 NKJV) But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none,

Consider Adam Clarke’s comments:

“The time is short - These persecutions and distresses are at the door, and life itself will soon be run out. Even then Nero was plotting those grievous persecutions with which he not only afflicted, but devastated the Church of Christ.”

They that have wives - Let none begin to think of any comfortable settlement for his family, let him sit loose to all earthly concerns, and stand ready prepared to escape for his life, or meet death, as the providence of God may permit. The husband will be dragged from the side of his wife to appear before the magistrates, and be required either to abjure [solemnly renounce] Christ or die.

(I Cor 7:30) those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess,

The persecution that some of them would go through would be so severe that this life would end for them. In such times and circumstances, everything blends into sameness. Everything is blended into misery or death.

(1 Cor 7:31) and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.

How do we misuse the world? When we try to satisfy ourselves with what is in the world. We have seen unhappy people buy the most expensive home they could afford, but they were still unhappy.

“For the form of this world is passing away.” How quickly? We don’t know. As already mentioned, some would lose their lives because of persecution. The “form of this world” would be lost for Judaism because Jerusalem and the temple would soon be destroyed.

(1 Cor 7:32) But I want you to be without care. [don’t be anxious] He who is unmarried cares [same root word as anxious] for the things of the Lord; how he may please the Lord. {33} But he who is married cares about the things of the world; how he may please his wife.

On the other hand, he wants us to “care for the things of the Lord; how he may please the Lord.”

Obviously, there is a proper care and concern that we should have, but it can cross the line into worry or anxiety that distracts, or pulls us down.

And what about “cares about the things of the world; how he may please his wife.”

What if you put all these things on MasterCard, and now you got your MasterCard statement?

What if you lived in the 1^st century and needed all these things, but didn’t have a Master Card?

(I Cor 7:34) There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world; how she may please her husband.

Oh be careful here! Walk carefully, or you will walk right into Roman Catholicism!

We have the book, A Change of Habit, by Joann Howse, a former nun. She tells of the vows of poverty, and all that she went through to become a nun, but did it make her holy?

The best example I know of the problem Paul is discussing in found in the story of two sisters:

(Luke 10:38-42 NKJV) Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. {39} And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. {40} But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." {41} And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. {42} "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

This is a case of two unmarried women. One was caring for the things of the world: Martha was distracted with much serving, and “Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

So I’m not saying what Paul is saying is not true, it’s just that there is also another factor, and that’s where we place our priorities.

(1 Cor 7:35) And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.

“not that I may put a leash on you” – Not meaning to restrict beyond God’s requirements.

(1 Cor 7:36) But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin [daughter], if she is past the flower of youth, [the age of getting married] and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry.

In those days, fathers had the final say over the marriage of their daughters. Some father might take Paul’s advice as law, and not allow his daughter to marry. Paul is clarifying his statement as he says: “He does not sin; let them marry.”

(1 Cor 7:37) Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well.

“Having no necessity,” He has no legal commitments or promises, and she is content to stay single.

“and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well.”—Paul’s conclusion:

(1 Cor 7:38) So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.

(1 Cor 7:39) A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

“A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives;” Paul is not stating any exceptions such as fornication, or the departing husband.

“but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes,” – This is nothing new.

(2 Cor 6:14 NKJV) Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

(1 Cor 7:40) But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment; and I think I also have the Spirit of God.

Because of the present and impending problems in the world, it’s better to be single.