SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?
- Key Verse
- So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does even better. (1 Corinthians 7:38 NIV)
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Central Truth
Paul is first and foremost concerned with matters of God's Kingdom. Any distractions are to be avoided, if at all possible. To Paul, marriage might be such a distraction to some men and women.
Reflections
Chapter seven of 1 Corinthians deals with Paul's (Spirit led) perspective on the estate of marriage. Through out the chapter, he continually contrasts certain "institutions" and assumptions. He covers marriage, divorce, circumcision, station in life (being a slave or being a free man). In all of these he offers stern, yet practical counsel. Paul has a Kingdom mindset. In this he never wavers. When it comes to marriage, he believes that it is an encumbrance for many, which might distract them from Kingdom purposes. He implies that we should sit "loose" in this world, with as few attachments as possible. On the other hand, Paul acknowledges that for some couples, the benefits and blessings of being married are so compelling (far beyond not falling into sexual temptation and sin) that those people should freely enjoy marriage.The key point can get lost if we aren't careful. Paul isn't laying down rules. However, he is warning and admonishing us to "seek first the Kingdom" and all else will take care of itself.
We can extrapolate this principle to all other areas of our life. What are we wittingly or unwittingly filling our lives with? Possessions, debt, entangled relationships, an over-booked calendar, over-scheduled children?
Yes, all of these things can be good, yet beware that we are never entrapped by them and fail to find time to worship and sit at the feel of the Most High
Discussion Questions
1. What choices do you have before you that could limit your ability to be Kingdom-minded?2. What choices have you made in the past that have limited your ability to be Kingdom-minded?
3. We know we can't change the past, but we can learn from it. How can you apply lessons from the past to your present choices?
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of .
Harold
May 7, 2010 07:10 AM
1 Corinthians 7:38 is open to another interpretation, which is set out by NASB and by GWN (God's Word for the Nations). I think it is closer to the Greek. Remember the important place of parents in match-making in ancient Israel. Here is GWN (1 Cor 7:36-38): "No father would want to do the wrong thing when his virgin daughter is old enough to get married. If she wants to get married, he isn't sinning by letting her get married. 37 However, a father may have come to a decision about his daughter. If his decision is to keep her at home because she doesn't want to get married, that's fine. 38 So it's fine for a father to give his daughter in marriage, but the father who doesn't give his daughter in marriage does even better." The more literal NASB (New American Standard Bible) has: "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. 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."
Jon
May 7, 2010 07:57 AM
The past two Jouney devotionals have been very good and interesting. Both have really defended marriage. I think that is good, taken out of context, Paul seems to be against the idea. But I do not think we are in fear of mass divorce in the name of ministry:-) What I feel is missing is that Paul makes the point that it is OK to be single, some are even called to this Mathew 19:11-13. For a long time we, the Church, I being one of them have looked at single as a curse rather than a blessing and opportunity.
David
May 11, 2010 08:09 AM
Thanks Reinhard!I really appriciate your perpective. I hadn't thought of it that way. With my over scheduled life I really needed to hear this fresh perspective. Praise Jesus for your work with Men's ministry. See ya on Wednesday morning!