29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who are married should live as if they were not; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs—how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
36 If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if she is getting beyond the usual age for marrying and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.
39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. 40 In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
Questions to consider:
- List and explain the reasons Paul counsels to marry and to remain single.
- What would it look like in our own lives to truly acknowledge that the world around us was passing away?
- What basic attitudes toward earthly values and relationships does Paul urge?
- To what extent are you willing to forego good legitimate things in order to secure you undivided devotion to the Lord?
- What are the realistic advantages and disadvantages of marriage for you?
Possibilities for prayer:
In our world today it can be difficult to live as if the things we have are not ours to keep. But Paul challenges us to recognize that this world is not our final home, and that things we find here are not eternal. Let’s ask God to give us eyes to see our lives in a more eternal way, that we might learn to value the things that are important and be much less focused on those things that are not.
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