Question
1 Corinthians 7 — Should Christians marry or not?
Answers
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Short answer
1 Corinthians 7 does not say Christians must or must not marry. Paul presents marriage and singleness as both legitimate, God‑honoring options. He personally prefers singleness for undivided devotion to the Lord, but he treats that preference as advice, not a universal command. He urges people to live according to their calling, their ability to control sexual desire, and the circumstances they face.
What Paul actually says (main points)
- Sex and marriage prevent immorality (1 Cor. 7:1–2). If sexual temptation is strong, Paul advises marriage.
- Paul’s preference for singleness (7:7–8, 32–35). He says it’s good to remain unmarried because it lets a person serve the Lord without divided interests — but this is his judgment, not a law.
- Singleness is a valid calling (7:7–9, 25–28). Unmarried people and widows can remain single; if they cannot control sexual desire, they should marry.
- Stay as you were called (7:17–24). Christians should generally remain in the social state in which God called them (married, single, slave, free), though marriage is permitted and good.
- Marriage obligations (7:3–5). Spouses owe sexual fidelity and mutual care; temporary abstinence for prayer requires mutual consent.
- Believing/unbelieving spouses (7:10–16). Married believers shouldn’t initiate divorce. If an unbelieving spouse leaves, the believer is not bound to force them to stay, but if the unbelieving partner remains, the marriage is to continue.
- Widows and remarriage (7:39–40). Widows may remarry, but Paul prefers they remain single; if they remarry it should be “in the Lord” (i.e., another believer).
How to apply it today
- Both marriage and singleness are honorable and can serve God. One is not spiritually superior by automatic right.
- Consider your “gift” or calling (inclinations, spiritual gifts, practical circumstances). Paul’s counsel is pastoral and situational.
- If you struggle with sexual temptation, marriage is a legitimate way to honor God and avoid sin.
- If called to singleness, it can be a gift that enables focused service and ministry.
- Churches should honor and support both married and single members, not pressure people into one path.
- For specific situations (divorce, an unbelieving spouse, long-term singleness with strong desire for family), get pastoral counsel and consider practical factors (mental health, finances, community support).
Recommended questions to reflect on or discuss with a pastor
- Do I feel called to singleness or marriage? Why?
- Can I control sexual desire without marriage, or would marriage be a responsible way to avoid sin?
- Would singleness free me to serve in ways marriage would limit (or vice versa)?
- How do my motives (fear, loneliness, desire for status, genuine calling) affect my decision?
Bottom line
Paul neither commands all Christians to marry nor forbids marriage. He offers wise, context‑sensitive counsel: remain as you are if that helps you serve the Lord faithfully; if sexual temptation or other needs make marriage the right choice, marry. Choose prayerfully, with pastoral counsel and attention to your gifts and circumstances.
1 Corinthians 7 does not say Christians must or must not marry. Paul presents marriage and singleness as both legitimate, God‑honoring options. He personally prefers singleness for undivided devotion to the Lord, but he treats that preference as advice, not a universal command. He urges people to live according to their calling, their ability to control sexual desire, and the circumstances they face.
What Paul actually says (main points)
- Sex and marriage prevent immorality (1 Cor. 7:1–2). If sexual temptation is strong, Paul advises marriage.
- Paul’s preference for singleness (7:7–8, 32–35). He says it’s good to remain unmarried because it lets a person serve the Lord without divided interests — but this is his judgment, not a law.
- Singleness is a valid calling (7:7–9, 25–28). Unmarried people and widows can remain single; if they cannot control sexual desire, they should marry.
- Stay as you were called (7:17–24). Christians should generally remain in the social state in which God called them (married, single, slave, free), though marriage is permitted and good.
- Marriage obligations (7:3–5). Spouses owe sexual fidelity and mutual care; temporary abstinence for prayer requires mutual consent.
- Believing/unbelieving spouses (7:10–16). Married believers shouldn’t initiate divorce. If an unbelieving spouse leaves, the believer is not bound to force them to stay, but if the unbelieving partner remains, the marriage is to continue.
- Widows and remarriage (7:39–40). Widows may remarry, but Paul prefers they remain single; if they remarry it should be “in the Lord” (i.e., another believer).
How to apply it today
- Both marriage and singleness are honorable and can serve God. One is not spiritually superior by automatic right.
- Consider your “gift” or calling (inclinations, spiritual gifts, practical circumstances). Paul’s counsel is pastoral and situational.
- If you struggle with sexual temptation, marriage is a legitimate way to honor God and avoid sin.
- If called to singleness, it can be a gift that enables focused service and ministry.
- Churches should honor and support both married and single members, not pressure people into one path.
- For specific situations (divorce, an unbelieving spouse, long-term singleness with strong desire for family), get pastoral counsel and consider practical factors (mental health, finances, community support).
Recommended questions to reflect on or discuss with a pastor
- Do I feel called to singleness or marriage? Why?
- Can I control sexual desire without marriage, or would marriage be a responsible way to avoid sin?
- Would singleness free me to serve in ways marriage would limit (or vice versa)?
- How do my motives (fear, loneliness, desire for status, genuine calling) affect my decision?
Bottom line
Paul neither commands all Christians to marry nor forbids marriage. He offers wise, context‑sensitive counsel: remain as you are if that helps you serve the Lord faithfully; if sexual temptation or other needs make marriage the right choice, marry. Choose prayerfully, with pastoral counsel and attention to your gifts and circumstances.