Free to Marry (or not)

Day 224: 1 Corinthians 7:25-40

“A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord.” - ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭7:39‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The following quote does well to help us understand what Paul is saying to those in Corinth during this second half of chapter 7: “Obviously not morally, because, if one course be morally better than another, we are bound to take it; but ‘better’ with reference to expediency in ‘the urgent necessity’ which rested on the Christian world in that day.” - H.D.M. Spence

Plus, we also have to keep in mind that Corinth was such a sexually confused place. Seeing examples of a man and a woman confidently married, or someone who is single being steadfast in their choice would be a powerful example to the city. By speaking of the "present distress," Paul is probably speaking to the climate in Corinth, and the entire Roman, toward Christians. I almost get the vibe of what Jesus said when foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70:

"How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers!" - Matthew 24:19 NIV

"These are not the easiest times to be planning a wedding."

Also, by Paul speaking so much about the freedom of women in marrying or not, he’s putting himself in his own category in the first century (where women had zero rights).

For those of you in this stage of life, the number one question to ask a future spouse: “Will you love Jesus more than me? If so, I’m all in.”