To those already married who might be thinking about terminating their union, Paul says, in effect: “Don’t even think about it.” Those marriages in which both partners are believers are not to give marriage or separation a thought. Consequently, Paul advises those who are single to stay that way, if they have the self-control to do so (verses 8-0). The inference, whether stated (as in 1 Timothy 4:3) or implied, is that marriage is a less than spiritual institution. It seems apparent that there are some ascetics in the church who teach that sex is dirty and should be abstained from, even in marriage. In the context of 1 Corinthians 7, Paul has been responding to the Corinthians’ questions about marriage and spirituality.
Specifically, Paul wants each of his readers to view their marital status and ambitions in the light of eternity. In our text, Paul seeks to help his readers minimize the distractions which so easily focus our hearts and minds on earthly things, rather than on things eternal.
We are constantly forced to refocus our minds, which drift so easily. For example, you and I would both be distressed to know how many times in this sermon your attention will drift from our text and what I am saying to something else, like the football game which starts half way through this sermon, or the dinner warming in the oven, or the guests coming this afternoon, or the ministry group meeting tonight. Some of us are more susceptible to distraction than others, but all of us are easily diverted from our mental focus. Following alcohol and drugs, I would guess that distractions are one of the major contributors to automobile accidents. A businessman driving to the airport takes his eyes off the road for just a moment to dial a number on his mobile phone or to change the tape in his stereo, and fails to observe a stalled car directly in his path. A mother who is driving her children to school turns her attention for just a moment to arbitrate a squabble between her children or to fasten a child’s seat belt, and fails to heed a stop sign. 7:17-40).ĭistractions can be devastating. 40 But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is and I think that I also have the Spirit of God (1 Cor.
Studying undistracted free#
38 So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.ģ9 A wife is bound as long as her husband lives but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 37 But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, he will do well.
Studying undistracted full#
One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord 33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided.Īnd the woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.ģ5 And this I say for your own benefit not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is seemly, and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.ģ6 But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she should be of full age, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin let her marry. So that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none ģ0 and those who weep, as though they did not weep Īnd those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice Īnd those who buy, as though they did not possess ģ1 and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it įor the form of this world is passing away.ģ2 But I want you to be free from concern. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.Ģ9 But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, 28 But if you should marry, you have not sinned and if a virgin should marry, she has not sinned. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
25 Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord, but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy.Ģ6 I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is.Ģ7 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released.
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