1 Corinthians 7:25-31 (NIV)
Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
Another question raised by the Corinthians is about unmarried women, or virgins. These are not ritual virgins or women who have decided to remain virgins out of devotion to God, but simply women who are reaching the age of marriage. Their question was, should they go ahead and marry, or not.
Paul’s answer is his own, having no guidance from the Scriptures, from Jesus’ teaching, or from direct revelation. And it is based on what he calls “the present crisis” (verse 26) and the shortness of the time (verse 29). He sees a rising tide of anti-Christian sentiment and a spreading of persecution and thinks that they may be precursors to Jesus’ return.
From that standpoint, Paul believes that the best thing to do is to live as if the world could end any day. Those who are married should stay married, and those who are single should stay single and not burden themselves by adding the needs and concerns of a family to their lives. Instead, each one should live simply, without allowing themselves to become entangled by the things of the world or engrossed in entertainments and the accumulation of stuff.
However, Paul points out that getting married is not a sin, and is even preferable for those who have strong sexual desires that they have difficulty controlling (2 Corinthians 7:9). This applies equally to virgins. If they want to marry, then they can marry, and do not sin by doing so. Paul is merely trying to keep them from the troubles that come to those who have families to worry about during times of crisis.
Father, Paul’s concern comes from a valid place. After all, he himself had undergone much suffering and persecution, and he doubtless wondered how he would have been able to stand firm if he had had a wife and children that were depending on him. I appreciate the fact that when he is giving his own opinion, lacking specific guidance from You, he clearly identifies what he is saying as his own ideas. Lord, help us to do the same – to follow You wholeheartedly when you give us clear guidance, and clearly identify our own ideas as such, so that we don’t end up putting our own words in Your mouth. Amen.