Tuesday, June 27, 2006
1 Corinthians 7:6-11
Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. (ESV)
by Maryann Palmer
Paul’s preference would be for believers to remain single and celibate, able to focus on the spiritual life. The exception is, of course, lack of good self-control sexually and/or emotionally. Married life has its difficulties, as yesterday’s Scripture points out. Both spouses are expected to serve the other, and fulfill their responsibilities to the family. Singles are subject to loneliness. It’s a trade off. If you find yourself in a position to choose, says Paul, do an objective inventory and make the appropriate choice.
Copyright Information
Daily Bible Meditations are taken from The Helping Hand,a Sabbath School student quarterly for youth and adults. Copyright © 2008, Seventh Day Baptist Board of Christian Education, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked "ESV" are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service .
