- An unmarried person can do better service: (7:32-35): A person who has no family has more time to serve God. He will have less distraction. For a married man, there is something wrong if does not care his wife and family and similarly the spouse also. But Paul insists that his teaching on celibacy is not a commandment but a suggestion to the believers. For a believer the most important thing in life was not romantic love but to please God. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned His followers against letting concern for the material aspects of this life distract them from devotion to God (Matt 6:25-34). The married man also pleases God which all depends upon his commitment. Now-a-days we all also find many singles are undergoing terrible distractions and temptations. Therefore celibacy needs special calling.
- Unmarried daughters: (7:36-38): Paul says it is not wrong for a father to allow his young daughter to marry although he advocated singleness for focussing more on the service of God. Although singleness have benefits, it is good for the fathers to let off their daughters to get married when they attain their marriageable age knowing the will of God. He who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better. For Paul, the choice between married and single are between better and best. And for Paul, in light of the present circumstances, he regarded singleness as best. Every father has freedom of choice whether or not he would give his daughter in marriage. Further the young men who were trying to follow Paul of celibacy but no control over his body must get married to the virgin and so a girl also. But the young ones who have control over their bodies and their passions can remain single. Both the groups are doing right. But whatever they do, they must be in the centre of God’s will to lead a Christian life.
Widows have the right to marry: (7:39-40): It is God’s will that marriage union should be a life time commitment. There is no trial marriage or contract marriage for Christians. Therefore marriages must be built on the foundation of God but no on good looks, money, romantic excitement or social acceptance. There must be Christian commitment, character, and maturity. There must be a willingness to grow and learn from each other, to forgive and forget and to minister to one another. Apostle Paul described this kind of love in (1 Cor.13).
A Christian widow has the right to remarry provided her husband dies. She has the liberty to get married again to another Christian. This means that they must not only marry believers, but marry in the will of God. Paul’s counsel is that if she remains single it would be better. But again Paul left the decision to the individual . But an unmarried state can give more opportunities to serve God effectively.
God has put walls around marriage, not to make it a prison, but to make it a safe fortress. The person who considers marriage a prison should not get married. When two people are lovingly and joyfully committed to each other and to the Lord. The experience of marriage is one of enrichment and enlargement. They grow together and discover the richness of serving the Lord as a “team” in their home and church. While both Paul and the Lord Jesus leave room for divorce under certain conditions, this can never be God’s first choice for a couple. God hates divorce (Mal.2:14-16) and certainly no believer should consider divorce until all avenues of reconciliation have been patiently explored.
A few questions should be asked by every individual before taking a decision for the marriage. They are:
- Am I marrying a believer?
- Are the circumstances for the marriage is right?
- Whether my marriage brings glory to God or not?
- Can I do better service for Christ through my marriage?
- Am I prepared to enter into this marriage union for life?