Paul’s Commandment to the Unmarried

Dear Brother Ron

What is the proper application for today of Paul’s commandment to the unmarried (I Corinthians 7:25-28)?

Newby

Dear Newby

1Co 7:25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be trustworthy.
1Co 7:26 I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is upon us, namely, that it is good for a man to be as he is.
1Co 7:27 Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife.
1Co 7:28 But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you.

Notice first of all that Paul tells us these are not the words of God but merely his own opinion. Judging from the last sentence, he would appear to discourage marriage for those who are not already married. But again, this is merely his opinion.

The application for today is simply that we are not to enter into marriage lightly. If we consider marriage as simply a license to have sex or a meal ticket, then we are sure to encounter the tribulations Paul speaks of.

Best always
Brother Ron