1 Corinthians 7:25-26
Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is.
It would be easy to take Paul’s statements here out of context. We must read carefully his overall goal in this chapter and discern his motivation. In these verses, he is giving his opinion. This is part of sacred Scripture and God’s inspired word yet contain Paul’s opinion on a matter. We have to trust in his wisdom as he dealt with difficult situations in Corinth. The specific application may be found in the principles that guide his opinion.
In these verses, his motivation is that the time was short and Jesus could come any time. Paul lived with a sense of expectation. Like in our day, the idea of marriage was being threatened and redefined. In pagan cultures like Corinth, marriage was often of convenience and self-gratification. Immorality was rampant. It is hard to have a strong marriage in such a situation. Paul is helping the Corinthians come to a clearer understanding of what Christian marriage should be.
He is guiding those engaged to be marriage that since Jesus could come again, it would be best in the perspective of God’s kingdom and reign, that people be busy serving God rather than caught up in the affairs and time demands of marriage.
Obviously Jesus did not come during Paul’s day. We can still live with a sense of expectation of Jesus’ imminent return, but we must also balance this with a healthy concept of marriage. Paul’s guidelines here may not fit every situation but we can appreciate his motivation and live with a sense of awe and readiness.
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