But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for 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 this 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. Christians in Corinth had written to Paul seeking advice in reference to the state of things in their church. One of the subjects they sought direction on was marriage. Paul’s response was not to be considered more than advice – what, under the circumstances was expedient; everyone must act according to the grace given to him/her. The object of the apostle was to urge single life, which in times of trials and persecution was to their advantage, not to restrain their liberty. Paul’s basic marriage principle is summarized in two words: well and better. The person who marries does well but one who doesn’t marry does better – it allows him/her opportunities married people do not have. Marriage is a temporary covenant but our relation to the Lord is an eternal relationship.

Singles have more freedom and flexibility and less distraction in difficult times – in times of religious persecution which often ended in imprisonment or death. Paul does not say the unmarried man/woman is a holier person but is saying serving the Lord without distraction “is good for the present distress”. He chose to remain unmarried for the gospel’s sake. Life is fleeting in this world and everything will disappear but in Christ the faithful will have that which satisfies the soul when everything else has gone. If God is not at the center of your life and your mate is, marriage will create more problems than it solves. With God at the center marriage brings together two self centered people expecting the other person to meet his/her needs. That doesn’t work. Don’t bring your hopes for fulfillment in a family. Hope is in the Lord.

A wonderful example of well and better is found in the story of Mary and Martha: Mary sat at the Lords feet and listened and Martha was distracted with serving. Jesus said Mary chose the better part. Paul wanted his readers to appreciate the realities of married and single states – celibacy is preferred merely on the basis of expediency not on the grounds of its being a higher state of virtue. Paul counseled, not commanded, the faithful to live life in view of present distress and shortened times as we consider our options.