1 Corinthians 7: Marriage, Singleness, and Calling

Short answer: 1 Corinthians 7 answers questions about marriage, singleness, and remaining in one's life situation. Paul gives practical guidance, distinguishing between the Lord's commands and his own apostolic judgment, all while urging believers to live undistracted for the Lord.

What 1 Corinthians 7 says

Paul begins by addressing a question the Corinthians had written to him about. He states that it is good for a man not to touch a woman, but then immediately gives a concession because of sexual immoralities. Each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. Within marriage, both partners owe each other affection and do not have authority over their own bodies. Paul instructs couples not to deprive one another except by mutual consent for a season of fasting and prayer, so that Satan does not tempt them through lack of self-control. He clarifies that this is a concession, not a command, and expresses his wish that all were as he is, though each has their own gift from God.

Paul then speaks to the unmarried and widows, saying it is good for them to remain as he is, but if they lack self-control, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn. To the married, he gives a command from the Lord that a wife should not leave her husband, and if she does, she should remain unmarried or be reconciled. Likewise, a husband should not leave his wife. For the rest, Paul speaks not as the Lord but as one with apostolic judgment: if a brother has an unbelieving wife who consents to live with him, he should not leave her, and the same for a woman with an unbelieving husband. The unbelieving spouse is sanctified through the believer, and their children are holy. But if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation; the believer is not under bondage in such cases, for God has called us in peace.

Paul then broadens his instruction to the general principle of remaining in the calling in which one was called. He uses circumcision and uncircumcision as examples, saying neither matters, but keeping God's commandments does. Each person should stay in the condition in which they were called. If called as a bondservant, they should not be troubled, though if they can gain freedom, they should use it. For the one called in the Lord as a bondservant is the Lord's free man, and the one called as free is Christ's bondservant. Believers were bought with a price and should not become bondservants of men. In whatever condition one was called, they should remain there with God.

Finally, Paul addresses virgins. He has no command from the Lord, but gives his judgment as one who has obtained mercy to be trustworthy. Because of the present distress, he thinks it is good for a man to remain as he is. If bound to a wife, do not seek freedom; if free, do not seek a wife. But if one marries, they have not sinned, though they will have oppression in the flesh, and Paul wants to spare them. He says the time is short, so those with wives should live as though they had none, and those who weep or rejoice or buy should live as though not absorbed by these things, for the mode of this world passes away. He desires believers to be free from cares. The unmarried are concerned for the Lord's things, how to please the Lord, while the married are concerned about the world, how to please their spouse. This is for their profit, to attend to the Lord without distraction. He then gives guidance about a man and his virgin daughter: if she is past the flower of her age and need requires, let them marry; he does not sin. But the one who stands steadfast, having power over his own will, and determines to keep his virgin, does well. Both do well, but the one who does not give her in marriage does better. A wife is bound as long as her husband lives, but if he dies, she is free to marry, only in the Lord. Yet she is happier if she remains as she is, in Paul's judgment, and he believes he also has God's Spirit.

Verses that carry the chapter

• “Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman.” (1 Corinthians 7:1) — This verse introduces the topic of marriage and singleness as a direct response to the Corinthians' question, setting the stage for Paul's nuanced teaching.
• “Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace.” (1 Corinthians 7:15) — This verse provides a crucial exception for believers married to unbelievers, affirming that God has called us to peace and that the believer is not bound if the unbeliever departs.
• “Only, as the Lord has distributed to each man, as God has called each, so let him walk. So I command in all the assemblies.” (1 Corinthians 7:17) — This verse establishes the overarching principle that each person should walk as the Lord has distributed and as God has called, which governs the entire chapter's application.
• “This I say for your own profit; not that I may ensnare you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to the Lord without distraction.” (1 Corinthians 7:35) — This verse clarifies Paul's pastoral motive: he speaks for the Corinthians' profit and to help them attend to the Lord without distraction, not to restrict them.

Gospel connection

This chapter connects to the wider biblical story by pointing to the freedom and new identity believers have in Christ. Paul grounds his instructions in the reality that believers were bought with a price and are now the Lord's free people, even while remaining in their earthly circumstances. The gospel does not demand that we change our social or marital status to be accepted by God, but it transforms how we live in those statuses. The peace God has called us to in verse 15 reflects the reconciling work of Christ, who breaks down dividing walls and creates a new community. The passing mode of this world in verse 31 points to the coming renewal of all things, where earthly institutions like marriage will give way to the fullness of God's kingdom. Paul's desire for undistracted devotion in verse 35 echoes the greatest commandment, to love God with all one's heart, and anticipates the day when Christ returns and all believers will be fully devoted to Him.

Application

This chapter asks readers to examine their lives with honesty and contentment. It challenges the assumption that a different marital status, social position, or life circumstance would automatically make one more faithful or more blessed. Instead, it calls believers to remain in the situation where God's call found them, unless there is a clear biblical reason to change. For the married, it means prioritizing mutual affection and not depriving one another. For the unmarried, it means embracing the gift of undistracted service to the Lord, while recognizing that marriage is also good and honorable. For all, it means holding earthly relationships and possessions loosely, because the time is short and the world's mode is passing away. It invites a life of peace, trusting that God has distributed gifts and callings as He wills, and that He is faithful to sustain His people in whatever condition they are called.

Biblical fidelity check

This chapter does not claim that marriage is sinful or that singleness is superior for all people. Paul explicitly says that each person has their own gift from God, and that marriage is not a sin. It does not claim that a believer must remain in an abusive or destructive marriage, but rather addresses the specific case of an unbelieving spouse who departs. The text does not give a universal command that all must remain in their current social status forever, but rather a principle of contentment and faithfulness in the calling where one was found. It does not claim that Paul's personal preference for singleness is a command from the Lord for everyone; he distinguishes between the Lord's commands and his own apostolic judgment. The chapter is silent on many modern questions about marriage, divorce, and remarriage, and it does not provide a comprehensive theology of family or gender roles. It also does not claim that remaining unmarried guarantees greater holiness, but rather that it can allow for less distraction in serving the Lord.

Questions for study

1. What does Paul mean when he says each person has their own gift from God, and how does that shape the way we view marriage and singleness?
2. Why does Paul distinguish between commands from the Lord and his own apostolic judgment, and how should we apply that distinction today?
3. In verses 12 to 16, what comfort and guidance does Paul give to believers married to unbelievers, and what limits does he set?
4. How does the principle of remaining in the calling where one was called apply to our modern life situations, such as jobs, education, or social status?
5. What does it mean to live as though not absorbed by the world because the time is short, and how can that be practiced without neglecting responsibilities?

Keep reading

Related studies: 1 Corinthians 1 Bible Study, 1 Corinthians 10 Bible Study, 1 Corinthians 11 Bible Study, 1 Corinthians 12 Bible Study.

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FAQ

Does 1 Corinthians 7 teach that it is better to be single than married?

Paul expresses a personal preference for singleness because of the present distress and the opportunity for undistracted devotion, but he clearly affirms that marriage is good and not a sin. He recognizes that each person has their own gift from God, so neither state is inherently superior.

What should a believer do if their unbelieving spouse wants to leave the marriage?

Paul says that if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation, and the believer is not under bondage in such cases. God has called us to peace, so the believer is not required to force the marriage to continue against the unbeliever's will.

How does the principle of remaining in the calling where one was called apply to changing life circumstances?

The principle encourages contentment and faithfulness in whatever situation God has placed you, rather than restless striving for change. However, it does not forbid legitimate changes such as gaining freedom from slavery or marrying, as Paul explicitly allows those in verses 21 and 28.