Purity in Singleness and in Marriage
Scripture Passage: 1 Corinthians 7:36-40
(NASB)
36 But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry. 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. 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.
39 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. 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.
(ESV)
36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. 37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. 38 So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.
39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
SUMMARY
Paul continues to give his opinion on marriage and what virgins and widows should do in each of their own circumstances. He instructs the men who are engaged to marry and who think it isn’t right to leave their virgin unmarried on what to do. Once married, a wife is bound to her husband until he dies, after that she is free to be married to whom she wishes only in the Lord. In Paul’s opinion, it is better to be alone and focus solely on the Lord rather than be distracted or bound to anything else.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
I see the responsibility put on men to look after any unmarried female committed to their care. Everything must be done in purity and in order to do that, holiness must be the goal that we work towards in every stage of life. Marriage isn’t the solution to self-control, but it is a safe boundary for two people to continue to build themselves up for the Lord. Faith should not be weakened by anything, even in marriage. In every stage, I must find freedom in the Lord rather than depending on having contentment and fulfillment in marriage.
APPLICATION
Once I am married, my focus would probably be on my husband and building up my family. I must continue to build up holy individuals and stay pure myself in this season of singleness and make this a lifestyle into marriage. God gave me the freedom to choose to marry in the Lord and I must use this choice to strengthen my relationship with Him. As someone who desires marriage, I must remember that my husband has responsibility in keeping me holy and I must maintain my priorities to be around God. My future marriage should benefit my walk with the Lord rather than divert my attention away from Him.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your guidance through this season of singleness. As I strive toward marriage, may I walk in purity with You. May You build me up to be firm in my relationship with You and carry that into my marriage and future family. I pray that no matter what, I will put You first in my heart. Thank You for giving me the freedom to choose my future. I pray that I will choose well and that no matter what, You will keep me holy and may nothing distract me from You. I thank You and pray all of this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Please share your personal meditations on this Scripture passage with the HolyWave community in the comments section below. (We reserve the right to moderate comments.)