1 Corinthians 7:25, Concerning Virgins
1 Corinthians 7:25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
The Apostle Paul begins speaks concerning the unmarried, their single hood may be for a number of reasons. Our Lord in Matthew 19:12 spoke of three class of unmarried man in the ancient world. Those who remain single (1) because of physical deformities – eunuchs born from the mother’s womb (2) because they were made eunuchs by men (3) because they chose to God – celibacy for the sake of the kingdom of God. This third category is a gift from God. Paul discussed the obvious advantages of celibacy in God’s service: 32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. 34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 1 Cor. 7:32-34 (KJV)
There seemed to be a prevalent thought in the church in Corinth that singles should remain unmarried in order to serve God. He clarifies that he comes with no human agenda except to seek always the glory of God in every matter. The Roman Catholic taught the celibacy of the priesthood that created great problems in the priesthood due to this enforced rule. Paul reasoned: 1 Corinthians 7:7-9 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
Paul warned that this enforced celibacy – “forbidding to marry” is not of God but is a doctrine of devils – 1 Timothy 4:1-3 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. The German reformer Martin Luther having understood the Scriptures as Paul had taught later took a wife and rear a godly family to the glory of God.
Amen.