It Is Better To Marry Than To Burn

I Corinthians 7:6-9


Paul made it clear that sex is not essential for an individuals life, and thus a person can choose not to get involved in sexual sin, in I Corinthians 6:13. As Christians we have a responsibility to live in a way that pleases ansd glorifies God, rather than ourselves. He starts off Chapter seven with the statement that it is good for a man not to touch a woman. The reasons will be discussed later in the chapter. He then instructs that marriage is a way of preventing fornication and thus is a good thing. His advice makes it clear that taking responsibility can prevent temptation.

Paul also wants us to know that what he said does not make it a requirement to be married. Just as some have taught that to serve God, one must not marry, a second group has taught that marriage is essential to serve God. both positions are equally unsound.

"But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. 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. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn." (I Corinthians 7:6-9)

As he says, we have permission to marry, it is not a command. He himself would rather that everyone be single, just as he was. God , however has given different ones different gifts, and different jobs, and we cannot demand that others live by what we think is ideal, since God has a different plan for them. As Romans 14:4 says, "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand." Their responsibility is to God, not to us.

As a result, it is good if a person stays single, just as Paul did. If it is or becomes a problem keeping ones thoughts pure, however, it is better to go ahead and marry than to struggle with lust. This applies equally to unmarried and to those who's mates have died.

The goal is to avoid sin in the church. A person may not commit the physical act, but as Matthew 5:28 tells us, "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." It is better to marry, than to struggle with the lust and temptation. For those who are not married, the choice is theirs.