OUR FATHER FOR WHOM WE SHOULD FORGO TEMPORAL THINGS IF WE CAN

1 Corinthians chapter 7 verses 36 - 40 concludes the Apostle Paulˋs guidance on the subject of marriage by addressing two questions. 

First, if a man has an unmarried daughter who is of age, is he obligated to give her hand in marriage or should he prevent her from getting married. To this question, Paul says that the father is free to permit his daughter to marry and he is free not to but Paul suggests that it is better for the daughter not to be given in marriage. If the believing father, seeking fairness towards his daughter, judges that it is good for his daughter to marry, he can freely choose to allow it while if in his own judgement he feels that marriage would be bad for his daughter, he can decline to permit it and be under no compunction of law either way.

The second question pertains to the persistance of marriage after the death of a spouse. In this case, Paul clarifies that the remaining believing spouse is legally free to marry ( on the condition that the person they marry is also a believer.) Paul, speaking as one with the Spirit of God, again recommends the single life over the married life which he says would be a happier life than that of a married person.

36 But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. 37 Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. 38 So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.

39 A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment—and I think I also have the Spirit of God.

Amen.

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