Topical Bible: Virgin: Advised by Paul not to Marry

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In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the topic of marriage and singleness, providing guidance to virgins and unmarried individuals. His counsel is found primarily in 1 Corinthians 7, where he discusses the advantages of remaining unmarried in certain circumstances.

Biblical Context

Paul's advice is situated within his broader teaching on marriage, celibacy, and Christian living. Writing to the Corinthian church, Paul responds to questions and concerns about marital status and sexual morality. The city of Corinth was known for its diverse and often morally lax culture, which presented unique challenges for the early Christian community.

Paul's Counsel to Virgins

In 1 Corinthians 7:25-28, Paul specifically addresses virgins, stating:

"Now about virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. Because of the present crisis, I think it is good for a man to remain as he is. Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this."

Paul acknowledges that his advice is not a direct command from the Lord but rather a trustworthy judgment based on the circumstances of the time, which he refers to as "the present crisis." This suggests that his counsel is influenced by specific challenges facing the Corinthian church, possibly including persecution or social upheaval.

Reasons for Remaining Unmarried

Paul outlines several reasons why remaining unmarried might be advantageous:

1. Undivided Devotion to the Lord: In 1 Corinthians 7:32-35, Paul explains that unmarried individuals can focus more fully on serving the Lord without the distractions and obligations that accompany marriage. He writes, "I want you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—and his interests are divided."

2. Avoidance of Worldly Troubles: Paul acknowledges that marriage brings with it certain "troubles in this life" (1 Corinthians 7:28). By remaining single, individuals may avoid some of the difficulties and distractions that can arise within marital relationships.

3. Flexibility in Times of Crisis: Given the "present crisis" mentioned by Paul, remaining unmarried could provide greater flexibility and freedom to respond to changing circumstances, whether they be persecution, famine, or other societal challenges.

Paul's Balanced View

While Paul advises virgins and unmarried individuals to consider remaining single, he is careful to affirm the goodness of marriage. He emphasizes that choosing to marry is not sinful and that each person must consider their own calling and circumstances. In 1 Corinthians 7:7, Paul expresses his personal preference for singleness but recognizes that "each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that."

Paul's teaching reflects a nuanced understanding of both marriage and singleness as valid and honorable states, each with its own set of challenges and opportunities for serving God. His advice to virgins is not a blanket prohibition against marriage but rather a thoughtful consideration of how best to live a life devoted to Christ in light of specific circumstances.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Corinthians 7:1
Now concerning the things whereof you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Doctrine of Paul Concerning virginity Explained.
... his statement, showing that he had advised these things ... a difference also between
a wife and a virgin. ... this statement the higher praise which Paul accords to ...
/.../chapter xiii the doctrine of paul.htm

Article xxvii (xiii): of Monastic Vows.
... all doubt that if you had been advised of this ... invented the rosary of the Blessed
Virgin, which is ... Therefore Paul condemns widows, not because they marry, for ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 35 article xxvii xiii .htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... kingdom of heaven, [850]425; the, a virgin and spouse ... 457, [930]482; praise of,
[931]481; advised to write ... Paul, [938]383; God's gift, [939]379, [940]391; the ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm

To Pammachius against John of Jerusalem.
... After many unseemly scenes, Epiphanius advised Jerome and his ... God, who, in the womb
of the Virgin, built a ... they are flesh.' And the Apostle Paul, speaking of ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/to pammachius against john of.htm

The Transformation of Rome from a Pagan into a Christian City.
... on one side, and that of the Virgin on the ... The faithful were advised either to
distribute their provisions ... Peter and Paul, in preference to other subjects of ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter i the transformation of.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... the Apostle Peter, and of whom the Apostle Paul makes mention ... whole of his discourse
to the subject of virgin purity ... give suck in those days." We have not here a ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

Confessio Augustana.
... man: who was born of the Virgin Mary, truly ... First, because that Paul saith, 'To avoid
fornication, let ... Secondly, Christ saith, 'All men can not receive this ...
/.../the creeds of the evangelical protestant churches/confessio augustana.htm

Epistle Lxiii. Limenius, Bishop of Vercell??, Having Died, the See ...
... the law is not commanded, but is rather advised by way ... alone, born in this age of
the Virgin alone, and ... they who are bound boast, saying: "Paul the bondservant ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/epistle lxiii limenius bishop of.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... Timothy's stomach was out of order, he advised him to ... the Baptist (who fasted and
was a virgin) until now ... is peculiar to the twelve apostles, then Paul is shut ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

Period I: the Imperial State Church of the Undivided Empire, or ...
... death; begotten of the Holy Ghost and the Virgin Mary, as ... use of homoousios in the
sense of Paul of Samosata? ... of Nicaea, so that the Arians may not impugn the ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period i the imperial state.htm