Read the Passage: 1 Corinthians 7:17–40

Social Order (7:17–24)

In the second half of this chapter, Paul continues his discussion of marriage and family that he had begun in 1 Cor. 7:1–16. While in 1 Cor. 7:25–40 Paul will address marital statuses and vows, in 1 Cor. 7:17–24 he first answers several tangential questions related to societal order. In a similar manner to their favoring of celibacy over marriage, it seems that some in Corinth were prioritizing certain external ceremonies, ethnic identities, and societal standings. Paul’s response to these perspectives is summarized in 1 Cor. 7:17, “As God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk.” It seems that a problem in Corinth, then, is that the church was focusing too much on external factors, teaching that certain statuses are more spiritual than others. Paul’s refrain is that while man looks at the outside, God looks at the heart (cf. 1 Sam. 16:7).

The first outward factor that Paul addresses in this passage is the external ceremony of circumcision. This act was introduced in Genesis 17 as a sign of the covenant between God and His people. While this ceremony was an outward act designed to reflect an inward reality, circumcision soon became a legalistic stumbling block (cf. Acts 15:1; Gal. 6:13; Phil. 3:3). A second external factor that Paul mentions is one’s ethnic identity. It appears that some in the church were prioritizing being Jewish or Gentile. In response, Paul writes, “Keeping the commandments of God is what matters” (1 Cor. 7:19). The third outward factor addressed in this passage is one’s societal standing. Paul’s teaching here is challenging, as he writes it is not inherently or spiritually better to be single or married, circumcised or uncircumcised, a Jew or a Gentile, or free or a servant—for these are all external factors.

Marital Status (7:25–35)

Recall that in this chapter Paul is answering questions the Corinthians had asked him in an earlier letter (cf. 1 Cor. 7:1). By way of response, Paul had already written about celibacy, marriage, and divorce. In 1 Cor. 7:25–40 Paul tackles the topic of singleness. The main difference between Paul’s instructions here and his earlier material on celibacy is that in 1 Cor. 7:1–9 Paul specifically focused on sexual desires, whereas in 1 Cor. 7:25–40 Paul generally addresses the status of singleness. In this passage Paul is clear that he is giving wise counsel, not revealing a commandment from God. As he had stated earlier (cf. 1 Cor. 7:7), so here again Paul reveals that he favors the condition of singleness; yet, Paul is clear that both singleness and marriage are acceptable states. The reason for his preference of singleness, writes Paul, is “the present distress” (1 Cor. 7:26) and “trouble in the flesh” (1 Cor. 7:28).

In 1 Cor. 7:29–31 Paul attempts to calibrate believers’ attitudes toward marriage, as well as the material world, by pointing out, “The form of this world is passing away” (1 Cor. 7:31). So, writes Paul, “If you do marry, you have not sinned” (1 Cor. 7:28), yet those with a spouse “should be as though they had none” (1 Cor. 7:29). Observe, then, that Paul has given three reasons why he prefers singleness: first, because of the present distress in the world (i.e., persecution); second, because those who marry will have trouble in the flesh (i.e., personal conflict); and third, because the world is passing away (i.e., the temporary nature of marriage). To these three, in 1 Cor. 7:32–35, Paul adds a fourth reason why he prefers singleness—namely, marriage divides one’s attention between a spouse and God. Yet, Paul writes that he is not trying to “put a leash” (1 Cor. 7:35) on anyone who prefers the perfectly acceptable state of marriage.

Family Vows (7:36–40)

1 Cor. 7:36–40 is a challenging passage to interpret, as Bible scholars are divided about whom is in view in these verses. In short, interpreters disagree as to whom is being referred to with the term “virgin” in 1 Cor. 7:36–37. This word could be referring to a virgin daughter, a girlfriend, a betrothed wife, a fiancée, or even oneself. Yet, given the immediate context, it is probable that Paul is dispensing advice to fathers about their unmarried daughters—indeed, “virgin daughters” would be a good translation. Moreover, it seems that Paul is addressing fathers who prefer that their daughters remain single—for the reasons specified in 1 Cor. 7:25–35—and, perhaps, they have even taken holy vows toward this end. However, Paul’s advice here is that it is not wrong to give one’s daughter in marriage, especially if she is of age and presumably has both a desire and an opportunity to marry. Similarly, Paul notes a widow is free to marry whomever she wishes, in the Lord (cf. 1 Cor. 7:40).

Application Questions

1. What is the most counter-cultural teaching in the Bible related to marriage and family matters?
2. What external things do modern believers tend to prioritize as being more spiritual than others?
3. What does Paul mean in this passage when he writes to servants, “If you can be made free, rather use it” (1 Cor. 7:21)?
4. Given the goodness of marriage (cf. Gen. 2:24), how can we explain Paul’s preference for singleness?
5. How can we balance the biblical paradigm of arranged marriages with the modern practice of free choice of a spouse?