Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(1Co 7:35) “ 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.”  This portion of Scripture finds us looking at this life from a pure godly and thankfulness for salvation perspective. Before salvation “me” comes first; afterwards our mindset through the Spirit is to change unto “the Lord” first.

(1Co 7:34) “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.”  It is not that the Lord is saying the married person does not care about the things of God, but that there is a conflict of devotion – natural. The context is which position is best in the midst of persecution.

(1Co 7:33) “But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.” The Lord is not saying this is wrong. He is stating fact. We are taught to love our wives as our own bodies (Eph 5:28); of course we are going to desire to please them. If we each put our wives before ourselves there is would be far, far less divorce.

(1Co 7:32) “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:” “Wihout carefulness”: not troubled, concerned. It is programmed into us: at a certain age everyone should find a mate and be married. Here we see there is an “advantage” to one who is single in the service of the Lord.

(1Co 7:29) “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.” Persecution is a sign that the Rapture is near. These verses say it will all be over soon. Conclusion: make life’s choices according to the wisdom received from faith in God’s Word.

(1Co 7:28) “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.”  Marriage is always a right and good thing in the presence of God. A time will come again, and may even be so now in some countries, where it is better to remain single. The desire to protect wife and children is natural and right. To know in standing for the Lord they might suffer is a very real conflict of heart. That is the point of this portion of Scripture. It is self denial for the sake of others.  

(1Co 7:26) “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.”  In the midst of persecution, it is better than one does not have to worry about the welfare of another. It eliminates the temptation to hedge on our testimony. We can more easily stand firm for Jesus.

WATER  (1Co 7:26) “I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.” Paul was not married. The distress mentioned is persecution. In such times one is better off without any to be concerned about but the Lord, how one might please Him in speech or response, torture or death.

(1Co 7:25) “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.”  Since the Lord had this included as our Scriptures, it is without doubt from the Spirit of God: (2Ti_3:16) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” To begin to say, “This is God’s Word and this not”, opens the door for our opinion rather than trust and obedience to the Bible.