Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Apr 11, 2024 - The Benefits of Singleness”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsThe Benefits of Singleness
Reading: 1 Corinthians 7:25-35
Paul gives his opinion here about “virgins”("betrothed" in ESV), probably young women who are considering marriage. “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”(1 Cor 7:25-26). His opinion (distinct from God’s command) is that virgins remain single. He does not explain the “present distress,” but it probably suggests persecution (see v. 29-31). The circumstances mean that Paul (a single man himself) views singleness as preferable.
Why? “Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that”(1 Cor 7:28). The time is approaching when married people will wish they were unmarried (v. 29), suggesting that one would constantly worry about persecution dividing the family. There is also an issue of focus: “I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided”(1 Cor 7:32-33). Singleness allows full attention to be on pleasing Jesus; marriage demands that we please both Jesus and our spouse. Paul is reassuring single people that there are significant advantages to remaining single, including the freedom to pursue spiritual growth more intensely. Yet even in this he acknowledges that this is simply his suggestion, not a hard-and-fast rule (v. 35). He wants to “secure your undivided devotion to the Lord”(1 Cor 7:35).
What to do with a text like this? Paul touts the benefits of singleness, encouraging single people not to be discontent but to view their state as a blessing. Singleness can be incredibly powerful if we use the freedom it gives us to grow closer to Jesus and serve others. Meanwhile, those who are married must take seriously the warning about divided loyalties (v. 32-33). We love our spouses and serve Jesus by serving them, yet it is easy to grow so home-focused that we forget to be Jesus-focused.
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One Thing to Think About: Do I have “undivided devotion” to Jesus?
One Thing to Pray For: Foresight to make decisions that will help me remain faithful to Jesus
