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Priscilla: I Corinthians 7:25-40
The Unmarried and the Widowed

25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.

26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.

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.

39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

Dear God, my Beloved Father, today I offer You my reflection on the Word of God in I Corinthians 7:25-40 about singleness and marriage.

I understand verses 25 and 26 as follows: The Apostle Paul spoke to the people of God in the Church at Corinth, saying that although his advice was not a command from God, he was trustworthy and faithful in serving God, so they could follow his advice. Paul advised those who were virgins, that is, both men and women who had not engaged in sexual relations, to remain unmarried, as it was good at that time due to the impending distress of persecution coming for the Church. If they got married, they would have distractions and not much time for the work of God. They would have to take care of their families, spouses, and children in difficult and dangerous circumstances.

I understand verses 27 and 28 as follows: The Apostle Paul advised that if someone was already married, they should not seek a divorce to avoid the difficulties that would come, as husband and wife had become one flesh. But if someone is unmarried, they should not seek a wife. However, if a virgin man or woman got married, they would not be sinning. Paul was concerned that those in the Church who were getting married during the impending distress would face many difficulties in carrying the burden of family and dealing with crises and challenges.

I understand verse 29 as follows: The Apostle Paul reminded the people of God in the city of Corinth that there was not much time left because the persecution was about to happen. Therefore, those who have wives should use their remaining time to participate in the work of God with their wives, just like those who are single, and not be distracted by enjoying marital love.

I understand verses 30 and 31 as follows: The Apostle Paul advised the people of God that those who are grieving and weeping should not cry. They should have faith and hope in the Lord, like those who are not in the same situation. Those who are happy and living in peace should think of those who are in distress and comfort them by sharing their burden. And those who have material wealth in this world should not be bound by the love of material possessions, for everything in this world will pass away and be destroyed.

I understand verses 32 to 35 as follows: The Apostle Paul does not want the people of God to be distracted or worried about his advice to those who are virgins to remain so and not to marry. If they want to marry, they have the right to do so. He explains to the people of God that those who live single have more time to serve the Lord and build the Church, and are not burdened with a spouse or children. However, those who are married have the duties of a husband or wife to their spouses or the duties of a father or mother to their children. The Apostle Paul does not mean to elevate singleness or belittle marriage. His advice is not intended to cause the people of God to stumble; rather, his intentions are good and worthy, and it is the duty of those entrusted with the task of shepherding the Church and teaching the Word of God.

Father, in verses 36 to 38, I choose to use the literal translation by John Nelson Darby, which closely reflects the biblical Greek: “But if any one think that he behaves unseemly to his virginity, if he be beyond the flower of his age, and so it must be, let him do what he will, he does not sin: let them marry. But he who stands firm in his heart, having no need, but has authority over his own will, and has judged this in his heart to keep his own virginity, he does well. So that he that marries himself does well; and he that does not marry does better.”

I understand verses 36 to 38 as follows: The Apostle Paul advises that if any virgin cannot remain single and has a need to marry to avoid committing sexual sin, then they should get married. For those who want to remain single because they do not have a need for sexual intimacy, they should remain single. The choice to remain single or to marry is good, as long as one leads a life that pleases God.

I understand verses 39 and 40 as follows: The Apostle Paul taught that according to God’s law, if a wife’s husband is still alive, she is bound to him and should not separate. But after the husband dies, the wife is free to marry another person, as long as they are in the Lord. However, through the wisdom of his spirit, Paul believed that widows who continue to live single are blessed more. They are free from their husbands’ authority and have more time to serve the Lord.

I pray that every member of the Church will have a heart of gratitude to God like Paul, and will be diligent, faithful, and make good use of the time they have left to serve God until the Lord Jesus Christ takes the Church out of this world. Amen!

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Priscilla Christian Huynh
05/08/2023