Where is your focus? What are your priorities?
Review
- Scripture clearly endorses marriage.
- God’s original intent was for marriage to be a permanent relationship between a man and his wife.
Today’s passage was given “Because of this present crisis”.
Instructions intended for a time of crisis may be of less significance when the crisis has passed.
As we move through this passage we will find numerous Biblical principles that can and should be applied in our lives, even if we are not in a “crisis mode”.
1 Corinthians 7:25-40 (NLT)
25 Now regarding your question about the young women who are not yet married. I do not have a command from the Lord for them. But the Lord in his mercy has given me wisdom that can be trusted, and I will share it with you. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think it is best to remain as you are. 27 If you have a wife, do not seek to end the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not seek to get married. 28 But if you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it is not a sin. However, those who get married at this time will have troubles, and I am trying to spare you those problems.
29 But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage. 30 Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. 31 Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.
32 I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. 33 But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. 34 His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.
36 But if a man thinks that he’s treating his fiancée improperly and will inevitably give in to his passion, let him marry her as he wishes. It is not a sin. 37 But if he has decided firmly not to marry and there is no urgency and he can control his passion, he does well not to marry. 38 So the person who marries his fiancée does well, and the person who doesn’t marry does even better.
39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord. 40 But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God’s Spirit when I say this.
Examine the scriptures:
Review
- Scripture clearly endorses marriage.
- God’s original intent was for marriage to be a permanent relationship between a man and his wife.
The teaching in this passage is being shared because of a present crisis.
1 Corinthians 7:25-40 (NLT)
25 Now regarding your question about the young women who are not yet married.
I do not have a command from the Lord for them.
Reminder:
1 Corinthians 7:12
Now, I will speak to the rest of you, though I do not have a direct command from the Lord.
Don’t misinterpret this statement.
All Scripture is inspired by God
Jesus had not spoken about this situation.
No previous revelations from God on this matter.
- All scripture is inspired by God
But the Lord in his mercy has given me wisdom that can be trusted, and I will share it with you.
James 1:5 (NLT)
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he (God) will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
1 Corinthians 7:40 (later in this passage)
…I think I am giving you counsel from God’s Spirit when I say this.
1 Corinthians 2:10 & 13 (NLT)
10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets
13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.
- If you need wisdom, ask God, and He will give it to you.
26 Because of the present crisis,
No specific present crisis is mentioned in scripture.
1 Corinthians 4:8 (NLT) (This does not appear to be a time of crisis.)
You think you already have everything you need. You think you are already rich. You have begun to reign in God’s kingdom without us! I wish you really were reigning already, for then we would be reigning with you.
Impending crisis (ESV footnote) (1 Corinthians was written some time close to 55 A.D.)
Impending distress (AMP)
Imminent Roman persecutions (within ten years after this epistle)
In general- conditions less than ideal for marriage
NOTE: Paul’s teaching here in this passage on marriage is based on some crisis or persecution Paul believed the Christians were experiencing or were likely to experience in the near future.
I think it is best to remain as you are. 27 If you have a wife, do not seek to end the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not seek to get married.
The principle of contentment. (Last lesson)
1 Corinthians 7:17 (NLT)
Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches.
- Live contentedly in whatever economic, social, and religious station God has placed you.
28 But if you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it is not a sin.
However, those who get married at this time will have troubles, and I am trying to spare you those problems.
- Being married can be more complicated than being single.
29 But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short.
2 Corinthians 4:18 (NLT)
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
James 4:14 (NLT)
How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
Romans 13:11 (NLT)
This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
- A person’s life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
- Make the most of every opportunity.
Ephesians 5:15-16 (NLT)
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
Colossians 4:5 (NLT)
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.
John 9:4 (NLT)
We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.
Psalm 90:12 (NLT)
Teach us to realize the brevity of life,
so that we may grow in wisdom.
Mark 13:32-33 (NLT)
32 “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. 33 And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!
So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage. 30 Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. 31 Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.
Colossians 3:2 (NLT)
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
Our citizenship is in heaven.
Philippians 3:20 (NLT)
But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.
Where is your focus? What are your priorities?
- Focus on the things of heaven, not the things of earth.
Philippians 3:14 (NLT)
I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
- Focus on reaching the end of the race and receiving the heavenly prize for which God has called you.
- Focus on Jesus’ return (Luke 12:35-40)
32 I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him. 33 But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife. 34 His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband.
Ephesians 5:10 (NLT)
Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.
Romans 12:1 New Living Translation (NLT)
A Living Sacrifice to God
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.
- Focus on pleasing the Lord.
35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.
36 But if a man thinks that he’s treating his fiancée improperly and will inevitably give in to his passion, let him marry her as he wishes. It is not a sin. 37 But if he has decided firmly not to marry and there is no urgency and he can control his passion, he does well not to marry. 38 So the person who marries his fiancée does well, and the person who doesn’t marry does even better.
39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord. 40 But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God’s Spirit when I say this.
Matthew 6:33 (NLT)
33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
- Keep your eyes on Jesus.
