1Cor7:25-35 Singleness in the End Times

# Singleness in the End Times
## 1 Corinthians 7:25-35

---

# What does the Bible say to **singles**?

[ ### ](#/outline "secret")

>>>
+ youth: "level up", next **life stage**
  + college, work, marriage, children
+ devote yourself to God in the **now**
  + not the **someday**
+ don't **chase** after bf/gf, marriage, grades, career
  + these will **disappoint**
+ chase after God: **undivided heart**

---
[25](# "ref")
Now about **virgins**:

I have **no command** from the Lord, 
but I give a **judgment** as one 
who by the Lord’s mercy is **trustworthy**.

[1 Corinthians 7:25 (NIV) (p.1/8)](# "ref")

---
[26](# "ref")
Because of the **present crisis**, 
I think that it is good for a man 
to **remain** as he is.

[27](# "ref")
Are you **pledged** to a woman? 
Do not seek to be **released**.

Are you **free** from such a commitment? 
Do not **look** for a wife.

[1 Corinthians 7:26-27 (NIV) (p.2/8)](# "ref")

---
[28](# "ref")
But if you do **marry**, you have **not sinned**; 
and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned.

But those who marry 
will face **many troubles** in this life, 
and I want to **spare** you this.

[1 Corinthians 7:28 (NIV) (p.3/8)](# "ref")

---
[29](# "ref")
What I mean, brothers and sisters, 
is that the **time is short**.

From now on those who **have** wives 
should live as if they **do not**;

[30](# "ref")
those who **mourn**, as if they did not; 
those who are **happy**, as if they were not;

[1 Corinthians 7:29-30 (NIV) (p.4/8)](# "ref")

---
those who **buy** something, 
as if it were not theirs to **keep**;

[31](# "ref")
those who **use** the things of the world, 
as if not **engrossed** in them.

For this **world** in its present form 
is **passing away**.

[1 Corinthians 7:30-31 (NIV) (p.5/8)](# "ref")

---
[32](# "ref")
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](# "ref")
But a **married man** 
is concerned about the **affairs of this world** — 
how he can please his **wife** — 
[34](# "ref")
and his interests are **divided**.

[1 Corinthians 7:32-34 (NIV) (p.6/8)](# "ref")

---
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**.

[1 Corinthians 7:34 (NIV) (p.7/8)](# "ref")

---
[35](# "ref")
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.

[1 Corinthians 7:35 (NIV) (p.8/8)](# "ref")

---

## Singleness in the End Times
1. **Contented** [(v25-28)](# "ref")
1. **Having** But Not **Holding** [(v29-31)](# "ref")
1. **Undivided** [(v32-35)](# "ref")

---

Now about **virgins**, 
I have no **command** from the Lord

[1 Corinthians 7:25 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ *virgin*: **never-married**
  + typically F
  + but here also M
+ what about **dating**?
  + virgin → **betrothed** → married
+  **command** was in *v10*: no **divorce**

---

but I give a **judgment** as one 
who by the Lord’s mercy is **trustworthy**.

[1 Corinthians 7:25 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ *judgment* (γνώμην): **knowledge**, counsel
+ *trustworthy* (πιστὸς): **faithful**
+ ask counsel from trusted **pastor**

---

Because of the **present crisis**

[1 Corinthians 7:26 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ *crisis* (ἀνάγκην): compressed, constrained
  + time is **short**
+ *present* (ἐνεστῶσαν): **standing in**, imminent
+ increasingly **corrupt** world
  + Christ's **return** is near
  + time for **gospel** is short
  + ⇒ stay **focused**

---

[26](# "ref")
It is good for a man to **remain** as he is.

[...]
[27](# "ref")
Do not **look** for a wife.

[1 Corinthians 7:26-27 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ v2-4 **marriage** has its value:
  + **tesimony** against prevalent **immorality**
  + mutual **service** (duty)
  + and **submission** (authority)
+ Paul's **counsel** to singles:
+ recognize **good** in current calling
+ not **seeking** to be married

---

Each person should **live** as a believer 
in whatever situation 
the Lord has **assigned** to them, 
just as God has **called** them.

[1 Corinthians 7:17 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ to each as the Lord **apportioned**,
  + *assigned* (ἐμέρισεν): measure
+ each as God has **called**,
  + *called* (κέκληκεν): vocation
+ thus **walk**
  + *live* (περιπατείτω)
+ seek **change** in circumstance
	+ kid wants other kid's **toy**
+ "maybe this change will **fix** things":
  + hair, major, school, friends, sexual orientation

---

Each person should **remain** in the **situation** 
they were in when God **called** them.

[1 Corinthians 7:20 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ leading cause of **affairs**:
  + not **complaint** about spouse, but
  + **dissatisfaction** w/own life
+ each, in the **calling**
  + with which they were **called**,
  + in this **remain**
+ not "**situation**" (environ, abuse)
  + but **calling** (purpose, role)
  + determined by **God**
+ contentment != **laziness**:
	+ *19* keeping **commands** of God

---

# Do I pursue a **change** of circumstance
# or God's **calling**?

>>>
+ while **young** + single:
  + **find** God's calling
  + be **happy** with it
+ not doing **great** things for God
  + **preparation**: character, patience

---

## Singleness in the End Times
1. Contented [(v25-28)](# "ref")
1. **Having But Not Holding** [(v29-31)](# "ref")
1. Undivided [(v32-35)](# "ref")

>>>
+ be **happy** in God's calling
+ not **comfortable** in this world!

---

What I mean, brothers and sisters, 
is that the **time is short**.

[1 Corinthians 7:29 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ *short* (συνεσταλμένος): **wrapped up**, cut short
+ **world** increasingly **corrupt**
+ Christ's **return** imminent
+ **urgency** to share gospel

---

From now on those who **have** wives 
should live as if they **do not**;

[1 Corinthians 7:29 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ not **neglecting** relationships
+ but **subordinate** under Christ's calling

---

Anyone who loves their **father or mother** 
more than me is not worthy of me;

anyone who loves their **son or daughter** 
more than me is not worthy of me.

Whoever does not take up their **cross** 
and **follow me** is not worthy of me.

[Matthew 10:37-38 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **responsibilities** of family
+ do not **exempt** us from
+ **calling** of God
+ "if you **love** me, you'd ...."
  + ⇒ true love honours **God** first

---

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**;

[1 Corinthians 7:30 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
1. **relationships** subordinate
2. **emotions**:
  + *mourn*: **cry**
  + *happy*: **rejoice**
3. **finances**:
  + **buy**
  + *keep*: **possess**, hold onto

---

those who **use** the things of the world, 
as if not **engrossed** in them.

For this **world** in its present **form** 
is passing away.

[1 Corinthians 7:31 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **use**, deal with, engage
  + necessity to live in world
+ *engrossed*: **use** to **full**
  + make full use of, as own, consumed
+ the **schema** of this world
  + pattern, habit, manner

---

# Have I yielded my **relationships**, **emotions**, and **finances** to God's authority?

>>>
+ **imminence** of Christ's return
+ **urgency** + focus on gospel

---

## Singleness in the End Times
1. Contented [(v25-28)](# "ref")
1. Having But Not Holding [(v29-31)](# "ref")
1. **Undivided** [(v32-35)](# "ref")

>>>
+ single life much more **free**!
+ not free to indulge **selfish** nature
+ but free to draw **close** to God
  + single-minded **devotion**

---

[28](# "ref")
Those who **marry** 
will face **many troubles** in this life [...]

[32](# "ref")
I would like you to be **free from concern**.

[1 Corinthians 7:28, 32 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ *concern* (ἀμερίμνους): divided
  + **anxiety**

---

[33](# "ref")
A **married** man is concerned about 
the affairs of **this world** — 
how he can please his **wife** — 
[34](# "ref")
and his interests are **divided**.

[1 Corinthians 7:33-34 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Not **condemnation**
  + just **necessity**
+ Married but **not** concerned about spouse:
  + not fulfilling **obligation** of marriage

---

[32](# "ref")
An **unmarried** man is concerned about 
the **Lord’s** affairs — 
how he can **please** the Lord.

[...]
[34](# "ref")
Her aim is to be **devoted** to the Lord 
in both **body** and **spirit**.

[1 Corinthians 7:32,34 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ *devoted*: **holy**
+ **body**: actions, practical daily life
+ **spirit**: heart, purpose, focus

---

Live as people who are **free**,
not using your freedom as a **cover-up** for evil,
but living as **servants** of God.

[1 Peter 2:16 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ single: **time** to reflect, pray
  + long walks on beach
+ how to **use** your time? purpose?
  + not pursuing **own** dreams
  + **serve** God

---

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.

[1 Corinthians 7:35 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ *restrict* (): **burden**
+ *right* (εὔσχημον): seemly, good **schema**
+ *undivided* (ἀπερισπάστως)
  + not drawn out, **undistracted**
+ *devotion* (εὐπάρεδρον):
  + sit beside, **attend**
  + God's presence is **enough**

---

# Am I **undistracted** in **devotion** to Christ, **holy** in body and spirit?

>>>
+ **sit** at His feet
+ **obey** in holiness

---

[29](# "ref")
What I mean, brothers and sisters, 
is that the **time is short**.

From now on those who **have** wives 
should live as if they **do not**;

[30](# "ref")
those who **mourn**, as if they did not; 
those who are **happy**, as if they were not;

[1 Corinthians 7:29-30 (NIV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")

---

those who **buy** something, 
as if it were not theirs to **keep**;

[31](# "ref")
those who **use** the things of the world, 
as if not **engrossed** in them.

For this **world** in its present form 
is **passing away**.

[1 Corinthians 7:30-31 (NIV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

---