The apostle returns to the subject of marriage in order to give his own opinion, as having received mercy of the Lord to be faithful, regarding those who had never entered into any relationship with the opposite sex. In the unerring wisdom of God Paul was given no commandment of the Lord on this subject. You will note that the apostle was careful to tell us when his own opinions are given; he was inspired to give us his spiritual judgment regarding this matter just as in the 12Th verse,-”But (as) to the rest speak I, not the Lord,” and we do well to give heed to what he says, as clearly not contrary to the Lord’s mind.
Verse 26: “I think then that this is good, on account of the present necessity, that it is good for a man to remain so as he is” (N.T.). It is good, on account of what the world is in its opposition to Christianity, to avoid marriage since it has, after all, somewhat the character of settling down in a scene where God has made us strangers and pilgrims (1 Peter 2:11).
Verses 27, etc. There follow further instructions which throw heavenly light on the Christian’s earthly relationships. If bound to a wife, seek not to be loosed; if free from a wife, do not seek one. Marriage is not sinful for either brother or sister; “nevertheless, such shall have trouble” (or tribulation) “in the flesh”, and the apostle wished that they should be spared this experience. It may be questioned if there ever has been a married couple who from the beginning found themselves in entire accord in all things. No other relationship in life is likely to involve so much of the disclosure of one’s inner self-self-love and self-will are in everyone by nature-and to require so much of Christian grace in one form or another. Sometimes, through in-subjection to the plain words of Scripture on the part of wife or husband (or both), these “troubles” continue through life, instead of the cause being judged, confessed and done away with. And then parenthood brings in a train of responsibility and care; some cares remaining unless or until the parents are given the joy of seeing their children grown to manhood and womanhood and walking in the light of God’s Word. “But this I say, brethren, the time is short” (or straitened, or a constrained one) “for the fashion of this world passeth” (verses 29, 31). Believers should be expecting the Lord’s coming as an event which may occur at any time. God’s amazing grace has allowed the day of the gospel to lengthen out until nineteen hundred years have elapsed since its beginning, but the Christian who draws his instructions as to the path of life from the Word of God has learned that the coming of the Lord for His heavenly saints is always to be looked upon as an imminent prospect. That that event, which will mark the end of the day of grace, did not take place while you were a stranger to God, is a cause for deep thankfulness, is it not? How much longer have you left to stay on earth? You do not know; nor does any one, but God only. “The time is short”, even though it may sometimes in one’s thoughts seem to be long; let us live in the prospect now before us of being soon with our Savior and Lord.
In verse 31 “as not abusing it” is really “as not disposing of it as their own” (N.T.), or “as not using it for themselves”. Many believers have daily contacts with the world, in working to support themselves and their loved ones; they are to remember that their part in it is to serve faithfully in the duties committed to them,- and never to take a place in it that would be out of conformity with the principles of God’s Word.
Verses 32-35. The apostle wished that the saints should be without care or distraction that would interfere with waiting on the Lord. When married they were concerned with earthly things that in varying measure shut out occupation with and for Christ. If nature’s claims, on the other hand, were refused, they might serve Him without distraction. The wisdom of these counsels of the apostle is apparent. Doubtless more than one servant of the Lord has been hindered in his path of service by marriage and the bringing up of a family. Happy for him in such circumstances if his wife seeks diligently to become a true “helpmeet” (Gen. 2:18) for him. Yet those Scriptures that we have been going over are surely meant for us all who are God’s children by faith in Christ Jesus. Is it not plain that He looks for you and me, dear young Christian, whether married or single, to give Himself the first place in our lives?
Verses 36-38 relate, not to a man’s daughter or ward, but to himself: “But if anyone think that he behaves unseemly to his virginity, if he be beyond the flower of his age, and so it must be, let him do what he will, he does not sin; let them marry. But he who stands firm in his heart, having no need, but has authority over his own will, and has judged this in his heart to keep his own virginity, he does well. So that he that marries, himself does well; and he that does not marry does better.” (N.T.)
Verses 39-40. The words “by the law” are not in the best copies of the original text; they appear to have been added from Rom. 7:2. God’s Word does not recognize the easy divorce practices that have been incorporated in many human laws. “A wife is bound for whatever time her husband lives; but if the husband be fallen asleep she is free to be married to whom she will, only in the Lord” (verse 39, N.T.) The apostle is still writing about marriage for believers, and, we may have noticed, he has until this verse said nothing as, to whom a believer should marry. Aptly, this subject is reserved for the close, when it is expressly said that a Christian widow is at liberty to be married “to whom she will”, and immediately it is added, “only in the Lord”.
What is “only in the Lord”? Not far from twenty other passages in Paul’s epistles are at hand to help in the answer to this question. A few of them are: Rom. 16:2, 8, 11, 12, 22; 1 Cor. 16:19; Eph. 6:21; Col. 3:18; Philem.1:16. “In the Lord” means more, we gather from these Scriptures, than “in Christ”. (Rom. 16:7 and 10) or “in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1, Phil. 4:21). It refers not so much to all believers, we think, as to those of them whose walk is in subjection to Christ as their Lord; sadly we own that this leaves out many of the dear children of God.
Young Christians, and older ones too, should never lose sight of the truth that God is more interested in their happiness, a great deal more interested in it, than they are apt to think. He has chosen a path for every child of His that will, if there be submission to His guidance, yield the truest happiness in this world as well as in that eternity toward which everyone of us is hurrying. Just as surely as the servant of Abraham was guided by God in finding a wife for Isaac (Gen. 24:27- “I being in the way, the Lord led me”), so surely will the Christian who truly waits for God’s direction be guided by Him in the momentous step of marriage.
Alas, many young Christians have stored up for themselves sorrow upon sorrow by entering upon marriages contrary to God’s word, and it is saddest of all when the heart has become attached to a stranger to His grace. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?...” (2 Cor. 6:14-18).
Verse 40. The apostle gives his judgment that the Christian widow is happier if she remain unmarried; and none was better qualified than he as a servant of the Lord to speak. We doubt not that in thus expressing himself he was guided by the Holy Spirit.