The Blessing of Singleness
1. Singleness offers less attachments (v.25-31)
25 Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. 26 I think that in view of the presentdistress it is good for a person to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. 29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
1 John 2:15-17: 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and the pride of life - is not from the Father but
is from the world. 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
2. Singleness offers spiritual benefits (v.32-35)
32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.
1. Focus on pleasing God
2 Corinthians 5:9: So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
2. Release from worries and anxieties
Philippians 4:6-7: 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
3. Freedom to pursue undivided devotion to God
Psalm 86:11: Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.
3. Singleness offers greater happiness (v.36-40)
36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if hispassions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. 37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. 38 So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better. 39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
1. Marriage is an amazing gift, but not the ultimate gift
2. Singleness and marriage are both good gifts
Philippians 4:11: Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content.
