Resource > Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable) >  1 Corinthians >  Exposition >  III. Questions asked of Paul 7:1--16:12 >  A. Marriage and related matters ch. 7 >  1. Advice to the married or formerly married 7:1-16 > 
The legitimate option of singleness 7:8-9 
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Paul moved from advice to the married regarding sexual abstinence to advice to the unmarried. He advised this group, as he had the former one, to remain in the state in which they found themselves, but he allowed them an exception too.

7:8 Who are the "unmarried"(Gr. agamois) that Paul had in view? Most interpreters have taken this word in its broadest possible meaning, namely all categories of unmarried people. Others, however, take it to refer to widowers since Paul also specified widows in this verse and since he dealt with males and females in balance in this chapter.171I prefer the former view.

The unmarried state has some advantages over the married state even though it is better for most people to marry (Gen. 2:18). Since it is not a sinful condition, married people should not look down on single people or even pity them because they are unmarried. Sometimes married people tend to do this because singles do not enjoy the pleasures of married life. Notwithstanding they enjoy the pleasures of single life that married individuals do not. Married people should not pressure single people to get married just because they are single.

7:9 However if a single person cannot or does not control his or her passions, it would be better to marry than to burn with lustful temptation (cf. v. 2). If a single has very strong sexual urges that may very well drive him or her into fornication, he or she would be wise to get married if possible. Of course a believer should marry a suitable Christian mate. This may be easier said than done, especially for a woman. The Lord has promised to provide the basic needs of those who put Him first in their lives (e.g., Matt. 6:33). I believe He will do so in answer to prayer either by providing a suitable mate or by relieving the sexual passion. In either case He gives more grace (10:13).



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