A Life Time Commitment

I Corinthians 7:35-40


Paul summarizes his answers to the church's questions about sex and marriage in the last few verses of chapter 7. His intention is not to burden the church, but to free them to serve God in a manner which is pleasing to God.

"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. 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.

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

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. But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God." (I Corinthians 7:35-40)

If a person is troubled at not having a family, or sexual desires, he is free to marry, provided he is not already married to someone else. To marry will not prevent his serving God, and those who forbid marriage have departed from the faith according to I Timothy 4:1-3. If it frees that person from struggling with temptation and longings, it is better for them to marry.

On the other hand, a person who is not troubled by the thought of being alone will have greater freedom in serving the Lord, and thus will be better off single. He or she may actually serve God more because of that state, doing better than the married person. The demand that a person be married, or not married is evidence of an unspiritual state, not recognizing the freedom we have in Christ, nor God's ability to work in different ways. It demonstrates an attitude that we know more than the Apostle Paul about what is best.

Marriage is for life, and we are bound to the one we marry as long as both lifes continue. Death frees one from that responsibility, as it does not continue in heaven. We need to reslize that even death leaves remnamts of that original bond, and if the widow or widower is troubled by being alone, they are free to remarry, although the baggage they brng into the marriage may make it harder. If they can, without distress, they would be better off to remain single. The situation is different for those who are divorced, as death has not freed them, and man does not have that authority.