Scripture to Read: 1 Corinthians 7:36–38
God continued to have Paul write about marriage and singleness. We read in 1 Corinthians 7:36–38, “But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry. 37 But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, he will do well. 38 So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.” God had Paul clarify things for those who were engaged and those who decided they could wait on marriage. God had Paul share that if a man thought he was treating his fiancée improperly because he knew he was close to giving in to his passion, then it was best for him to go ahead and marry her—and if he married her, it was not a sin. However, if another single man decided that he would not marry, that there was no urgency to do so, and that he could control his passions, then he would be doing well in choosing not to get married. God wanted the Christian men of Corinth to know that the one who decided to get married would do well, but the one who chose not to marry would do even better because of the persecution in Corinth.
Challenge & Application
If there were persecutions of Christians in your city, would you do anything different than what you are doing now, and why?
What challenges have you faced that have deepened your intimacy with the Lord, His Word, and your obedience to Him?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!