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1 Corinthians 7:27-38

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

27. Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 28. But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you. 29. But this I say, brethren, the time [is] short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 30. And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; 31. And they that use this world, as not abusing [it]: for the fashion of this world passeth away. 32. But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33. But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please [his] wife. 34. There is difference [also] between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please [her] husband. 35. 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. 36. 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. 37. 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. 38. So then he that giveth [her] in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth [her] not in marriage doeth better.

1 Corinthians 7:27-38 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:27

Theological / Devotional

Bound. Gr. deo, “to bind,” “to fasten.” Marriage is often spoken of today as a tie or bond, stressing the permanent nature of the union that is entered into when two people are married.

Loosed. That is, by separation or divorce. The apostle teaches that even in times of crisis or emergency there must be no neglect of the responsibility that falls upon married persons. They are required to continue in the marriage relation and to do their duty as married persons. Though they might find increased difficulties facing them in times of persecution and trial, they must not think of breaking the bond of duty in order to avoid inconvenience and suffering. They should do their duty, and trust in God to care for them.

Art thou loosed? That is, are you in a state of freedom from the marriage bond? The phrase applies to bachelors as well as to widowers.

Seek not a wife. To the widower or bachelor is given the advice not to be anxious to enter the married state (cf. on v. 1). This verse does not teach that Paul disapproved of marriage or that he declared it to be unlawful (as some of the Corinthian believers probably thought, see on v. 28). He was seeking, rather, to save Christians from unnecessary involvements in times of emergency (see on v. 26). It is true that the unmarried have an easier time in periods of distress.

By SdaBc