But I want you to be without care.  He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord – how he may please The Lord.  (33) But he who is married cares about the things of the world – how he may please his wife.  (34) There is a difference between a wife and a virgin.  The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit.  but she who is married cares about the things of the world – how she may please her husband. (35) And I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction. 

The first letter to the Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul. Our verses today are taken from chapter 7 of the letter and Paul is commenting on the virtues of the single life as opposed to the married life in ancient Corinth – Paul is responding to questions sent to him from the newly founded Christian Church there.

Corinth was a bustling, urban, “sophisticated”, corrupt  city with a pagan culture.  Paul arrived and preached the gospel of Christ Jesus and the doctrine of salvation by faith through faith which is transformative.  But the worldly pull of the culture in Corinth was difficult to turn from and the church was beset with factional and sexual problems.  Therefore,  most of this letter is correctional and addresses behavior.  Keep in mind Paul’s comments on marrige and the single life are responsive to questions asked of him.

The apostle Paul has already written that his recommendations are for the single Christian in Corinth –  no one is to divorce or separate from their spouse as a result of being called.  Marital status has no relation to salvation.  If one has been given the gift of “singleness” those people can be totally fulfilled   Paul writes that single persons are no less significant than married Christians.

Paul has suffered persecution because of the gospel and he can clearly see signs of this coming for all Christians.  In times of persecution married people might suffer more than single people because of anxiety for their spouses and children.  There is also more opportunity for conflict with married people; an emotional and psychological pull.  Marriage like the single life is part of the way of this world  – but the world is passing away and if single, there is less attachment to worldly things.  Both lifestyles are blessed by God,

Paul’s words are not commands but he is exploring options   The aingle life is not a snare but a gift from God –   it is a freedom should the single person be able and willing to exercise this choice