Married or Single For Christ? 1 Corinthians 6-7

1 Corinthians 7:8-9 (ESV)

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 find clarity about the above text we have to understand what is both happening in the Corinthian church and what Paul’s instruction and mindset is regarding marriage and being unmarried.  

The Corinthian church is in the midst of a sexual deviant city.   Many of the men coming to Christ would have already had multiple wives.  Many of the women would have already been divorced by an unbelieving man who simply wanted a new wife.   The church actually sent a message to Paul asking about some clarity regarding marriage and even sexual activities in the marriage.   Note:

1 Corinthians 7:1-4 (ESV)

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

With this background it is important to understand that Paul thought being single in Christ was a spiritual gift.  Note:

1 Corinthians 7:6-7 (ESV)

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.

This spiritual gift from God came with the beauty of not having these sexual desires that those who do marry have.  In verses six and seven Paul’s statement that it is better to marry than to burn with passion, is not meant to be a limitation or a negative condemnation of believers who has sexual urges.  What Paul is saying is that the gift of being single, to serve the Lord, comes with the strength to resist those urges.  Those who are called to marriage are not given that strength and, therefore, should marry, least the need for sexual relationships become a weakness in their walk. 

Paul is firmly telling the church that there is a place for marriage (that comes with sexual urges) and there is a place for being single in the church (that focuses more on complete devotion to Christ) and the gift of not having those same urges.   

Paul is not promoting one life style over the other. He is not condemning one over the other.  He is stating to them that God puts us in the situation He wants us and therefore we need to stay in that situation, being gifted and equipped by God for it.  This is why he ends the letter this way:

1 Corinthians 7:20-24 (ESV)

Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.