What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 7:38? So then Paul has just spent the chapter balancing the blessings of marriage with the freedoms of singleness. “So then” signals his conclusion, drawing together: • The “present distress” (1 Corinthians 7:26) that made remaining single advantageous. • His desire for believers to be “free from concern” (1 Corinthians 7:32) so they can devote undivided attention to the Lord. • His insistence that both marriage and celibacy are gifts from God (1 Corinthians 7:7). “So then” anchors the verse in that larger, Spirit-inspired argument. he who marries the virgin does well Marriage is a good gift, created and blessed by God. • Genesis 2:24—“a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife.” • Proverbs 18:22—“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.” • Jesus affirmed the goodness of marriage (Matthew 19:4-6). Paul has already counseled that, because of immorality, “each man should have his own wife” (1 Corinthians 7:2). Thus, if an engaged man proceeds with the wedding, he “does well.” He honors a godly desire, protects purity, and pictures Christ’s covenant love (Ephesians 5:25-32). but he who does not marry her does even better “Even better” is not a moral judgment on singleness versus marriage; it reflects practical advantages in certain circumstances. • Remaining single spares believers the “tribulation in the flesh” that can accompany troubled times (1 Corinthians 7:28). • Unmarried believers can be “concerned about the work of the Lord, how he can please the Lord” without divided interests (1 Corinthians 7:32-34). • Paul models this freedom, pouring himself into gospel ministry (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23). So, while marriage is undeniably good, voluntary singleness—embraced for gospel focus—can be “even better” in terms of undistracted service. summary 1 Corinthians 7:38 celebrates both paths. Marrying the fiancée is “well”—a righteous, God-honoring choice. Choosing to remain single for kingdom purposes is “even better” when it frees the believer to serve Christ with singular devotion. Scripture affirms the literal goodness of marriage and the strategic advantage of celibacy, leaving each disciple to follow the Lord’s leading with confidence that His Word is true and sufficient. |
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