MAY 31, 2020
ADVICE RESPECTING THE UNMARRIED
INTRODUCTION:
1. In the previous chapter, Paul had warned the Corinthians against fornication. This was a matter that he had addressed in a letter which he had written to them earlier, and was here taken up again. (Ch. 5:9)
2. In this chapter he is responding to questions which they had asked in a letter written to him concerning marriage.
3. Generally speaking, he said, it is good for a man to have his own wife, and a woman her own husband. However, in that juncture of time it was good if they did not marry, provided they were able to contain and not burn.
4. Respecting those who were married, his commandment was the same as our Lord’s; that is, they were to remain married, regardless of the trying and difficult times in which they lived.
5. Concerning some particular questions Paul offers his best advice. The advice given applies to all in principle, but was given especially for them with respect to their peculiar circumstances.
6. What he has to say in the following verses about virgins and marriage, he speaks not by way of commandment. However, it is the carefully considered counsel of a God-called Apostle who has proven himself faithful to his calling. Therefore, Christians must not take lightly what he has to say on these particular matters.
I. ADVICE FOR VIRGINS RESPECTING MARRIAGE. (VERSES 25-35)
A. WHAT HE HERE SPEAKS IS NOT BY WAY OF ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY, BUT SIMPLY GOOD ADVICE. (VERSE 25)
1. “Now concerning virgins…” It appears that he is not taking up the next question proposed in their letter to him.
2. On this matter he had no authorized commandment, but he will give his judgment. Considering who he was, what he was to them (a father), and the credentials which he here gave; his advice was certainly worthy of their careful attention.
3. Note, faithfulness in the ministry is owing to the mercy and grace of Christ. Paul was always ready to acknowledge this truth. (Ch. 15:10; I Tim. 1:12)
B. HIS ADVICE, ON ACCOUNT OF THE IMPENDING TROUBLE, WAS THAT THEY SHOULD REMAIN SINGLE. (VERSES 26, 27)
1. “The present distress…” probably means the present state of impending trouble.
a) The coming of Christ, which the Apostles thought to be near at hand, would be accompanied by great calamities.
b) The awful desolation of Jerusalem, which was coming very soon, would bring trouble for Christians of all races.
c) It was not however, to these calamities that Paul here refers, but rather to those which it was predicted should attend the introduction of the Gospel.
2. In light of this distress, or necessity, Paul’s advice was twofold.
a) Those who were not married, he advised to remain in their unmarried state.
b) Those who were already married were, of course, to stay married. No amount of distress or trouble would justify dissolving the marriage.
C. IF THEY CHOSE NOT TO HEED THIS ADVICE, IT WAS NOT A SIN, BUT THEY WERE INVITING TROUBLE. (VERSE 28)
1. Marriage was inexpedient, not sinful. It is not because there is anything wrong with marriage that Paul dissuades from it, but because such shall have trouble (suffering in the flesh; that is external, not spiritual or inward afflictions). “Flesh” is sometimes used in this sense for things external. (John 6:63; Eph. 6:5; II Cor. 11:18)
2. “But I spare you…” The design of Paul’s advice not to marry was to spare them such trouble in the flesh.
D. PAUL WOULD HAVE THEM REMEMBER THE TRANSITORY NATURE OF ALL EARTHLY TIES. (VERSES 29-31)
1. “The time is short.” He means by this either the time of this life, or the duration of the world.
2. Therefore, if you be married, or choose to become married, it is but a very brief temporal relationship to be enjoyed. We must hold loosely those things that pertain to this temporal life. (II Cor. 4:18; Matt. 22:30)
3. This consideration should also weigh with those who are afflicted, and whose lot in this life is filled with much sorrow. “And they that weep (over losses of loved ones) as though they wept not.” (I Theas. 4:13)
4. Likewise, “they that rejoice” (in common things of the world) must not let these things be the sole source of their joy, for we will very shortly leave them. (Col. 3:1, 2)
5. Then, let those that have liberal buying power, possess their purchased goods as only borrowed for a short while. Let us realize that we will not possess our good things for long. (Psa. 49:10-13; 90:10) Many idolize their possessions, and like Micah, when they were taken away, they will have nothing more. (Jud. 18:24)
6. All must therefore learn to “use this world, as not abusing it.” God has given to us in this present world all of life’s necessities, as well as much to enjoy. The Apostle here warns us not to overindulge. The word “abuse” means “to use overmuch.”
E. PAUL ALSO POINTS OUT THAT THE SINGLE LIFE WOULD ENABLE THEM TO CONSECRATE THEMSELVES WITH LESS DISTRACTION TO THE SERVICE OF THE LORD. (VERSES 32-35)
1. This is the third reason Paul gives for his advice to remain unmarried.
a) The first reason is the increased troubles marriage was likely to bring.
b) The second reason is the transitory nature of earthly things.
c) The third reason is the comparative freedom from care connected with the single life.
2. The unmarried man may devote himself to the things of the Lord, i.e. to the service of Christ, since he has no family to provide for, and to protect in times of distress and persecution. (Verses 32, 33)
3. What is true of men is true also of women. (Verse 34)
a) The difference here noted, is that the virgin may devote her whole time to the service of the Lord, while the wife must devote much of her time to her husband and family.
b) The virgin therefore may be holy (consecrated) in body and in spirit. It is in this sense that the word “holy” is used. A married woman may be just as holy (pure, spiritual, devout) as a virgin.
4. The object of the Apostle in this was their advantage. (Verse 35)
a) He had no intention to restrain their liberty. “Not that I may cast a snare upon you.”
b) He would not ensnare them. They were perfectly free to do as pleased them. There was no moral obligation upon them to remain single.
c) His design was to promote what was becoming and proper, that is, undistracted devotion to the Lord.
d) Everywhere the Apostle is careful to show that celibacy is preferable only for expediency’s sake, and not on the ground of a higher state of virtue.
II. ADVICE FOR PARENTS RESPECTING GIVING THEIR DAUGHTERS IN MARRIAGE. (VERSES 36-38)
A. IF CIRCUMSTANCES RENDER IT DESIRABLE, THEY MAY WITHOUT HESITATION GIVE THEIR DAUGHTERS IN MARRIAGE. (VERSE 36)
1. In this and the following verses, he addresses the fathers, because with both Jews and Greeks, the giving away of their daughters was the father’s responsibility.
2. Paul’s opinion on this matter is made very clear; he assures fathers that they are perfectly free to exercise their own judgment in giving their daughters in marriage, or keeping them single.
3. As it was considered a reproach to be unmarried, if a father thought he exposed her to disgrace by keeping her single after she had become of full age, he may give her in marriage.
4. If a daughter had come to the flower of her age and passed, and if need so required, (perhaps her own happiness), the father could do as he thought best. Although the father had the power, his decision did not exclude his daughter’s need.
B. IF THE FATHER WAS FREE TO ACT ACCORDING TO HIS OWN JUDGMENT, PAUL ADVISED TO KEEP THEM UNMARRIED. (VERSES 37, 38)
1. “He that standeth steadfast in his heart,” i.e. whose judgment is settled, and who is fully persuaded that his daughter’s marriage would be inexpedient.
2. “Having no necessity,” i.e. nothing rendering it needful to act contrary to his own judgment.
3. “But hath power over his own will,” i.e. is able to do according to what he things best.
4. “And hath so decreed in his heart,” i.e. has fully made up his mind “to keep his virgin,” i.e. to keep his daughter unmarried, “he doth well.”
5. He who gives his daughter in marriage has done no wrong, it is well. But, he that keeps her single has done better. (Verse 38)
III. ADVICE TO WIDOWS RESPECTING REMARRIAGE. (VERSES 39, 40)
A. MARRIAGE CAN ONLY BE DISSOLVED BY DEATH. (VERSE 39a)
B. AFTER THE DEATH OF HER HUSBAND, A WOMAN IS AT LIBERTY TO MARRY AGAIN. (VERSE 39b)
1. The death of either party leaves the survivor free to marry again. (Rom. 7:103)
2. The one stipulation for Christian widows and widowers is that they marry one who is also a believer. “…only in the Lord.”
C. IN PAUL’S JUDGMENT, THE SURVIVOR WOULD BE HAPPIER IN REMAINING SINGLE. (VERSE 40) Again, we may conclude that his opinion was founded on the peculiar circumstance of the time, and not intended to bind the conscience or interfere in the liberty of others.
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