Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
A comparison is made between the unmarried who decides to marry and the one who decides not to marry for the sake of devoting undistracted attention to the service of the Lord. The Apostle Paul says that this second person is doing better for the devotion given to serve the Lord.
MacArthur observed well, “As with the single themselves (v. 28), the choice is not between right and wrong but between good (well) and better.”
A man may choose to remain single and not marry. He is steadfast in his conviction to remain single and has the strength in his heart to live the life of single hood, “that he will keep his virgin”, is commended. This commendation is given, reading our context, for his willingness to be in the service of the Lord undistracted by the familial duties of life.
Acts 13:1-42 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians Knowing Your Privilege in Christ “The Character of the Church” (Ephesians 2:1-10) 1And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, …
The Believer’s Privilege
(Psalm 99)
This psalm speaks of the covenantal relationship that God’s people have with their LORD and thus the privilege that comes with that relationship. This relationship is built upon God’s holiness (v3, 5, 9) and His sovereign rule over His people (v1). God is holy and has made us accepted through His Son. What privilege!
(1) Fear Him (v1-2)
1 The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved. 2 The LORD is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people.
Filial fear is the rightful response of His children before the thrice holy God. No man could stand His wrath. He sits between the two cherubims or angels. It is called the mercy seat (Exodus 25:17-22). There, our prayers are heard and our salvation is granted. Zion was the holy mount of God where He ruled ancient Israel. It is symbolic of God’s rule from His throne. He is high above His people. Who can deliver us if God does not make a way for us?
William MacDonald observed well, “The common explanation is this: In Paul’s day a man exercised rigid control over his home. It was up to him whether his daughters married or not. They could not do so without his permission. Thus these verses are taken to mean that if a man refuses to allow his daughters to marry, that is a good thing, but if he allows them to marry, then he is not sinning. Such an interpretation seems almost meaningless as far as instruction for the people of God in this day is concerned. The interpretation does not fit in with the context of the rest of the chapter, and seems hopelessly confusing.”
Celibacy is good. Profitable for those who are called to remain single that they may devote their lives to the service of the Lord without distraction. For such who consecrate their lives in single hood for the Lord’s sake finds life most rewarding. The Apostle Paul is not saying trying to influence the Corinthian Christians to celibacy. It is a choice that they, individually, have to make. He is simply showing them what each choice entails.
Here is highlighted the difference between the married and the single woman. The unmarried woman is able to better devote her time to the service of the Lord whereas the married woman has to tend to the needs of her husband. William MacDonald observed well, “The expression “that she may be holy both in body and in spirit” does not mean that the unmarried state is more holy, but simply that she can be more set apart in both body and spirit to the work of the Lord. She is not essentially purer, but her time is freer.”
The unmarried Christian may give his or her undivided attention to the things of God whereas the married has to consider the the spouse’s needs and adjust accordingly. Caring for the things of the world is a phrase alluding to the fact that the spouse’s needs are to be taken into consideration which may compromise the priority of the gospel.
Hymns: 559 Near the Cross 558 We Plough the Fields 400 Every Moment of Every Day
Study of the Book of Ecclesiastes
(Remember Now Thy Creator)
Living Wisely
Ecclesiastes 10:8-15
8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby. 10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. 11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. 12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. 14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? 15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.