Day 93: Don't rush – 1 Corinthians 7 vs 8 -17

8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 10-11 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord) the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife.

12-14 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15-16 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? 17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. 1 Corinthians 7:8-17 English Standard Version

Is being single a sign of failure? (vs 8)

Not at all! While marriage can be wonderful and most people marry, Paul didn't have a wife when he wrote that 'it is good to remain single'. Later in the chapter he explains that unmarried people have more time to focus on the Lord, whereas married people have the extra concerns of pleasing their spouse. On the other hand, why is it better that some people do marry? (vs 9)

The Bible is a very down-to-earth book. Paul knew that not everyone shows the same measure of self control. It's possible he was speaking especially of couples who had been pledged to one another (like Joseph and Mary) which was a custom in those days, but the principle would apply to all people reaching marrying age.

What does Paul say that Christ's command to Christians is concerning marriage? (vs 10-11)

He may've had in mind the Lord's' words in Matthew 19:6 about husbands and wives where Jesus said: “They are no longer two - but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together - let not man separate.” God clearly wants marriage to be for keeps.

But what if someone becomes a Christian and their partner doesn't? That could lead to tension and arguments. Paul says that while he hadn't received a personal message from the Lord about this, the principle of 'living at peace' would surely apply. What did this involve? (vs 12-16).

If an unbelieving spouse is willing to continue the marriage the believing partner shouldn't end it. God will treat their spouse and children as 'holy'. (This is in the sense that the believing person and any children of the marriage wouldn't be defiled by an unbelieving spouse.) But if the unbelieving partner wanted to end the marriage because of Christ, they should be allowed to go and not be held to their vows. God doesn't force unconverted people to follow His ways and there is no guarantee that the believer will be able to convert their unbelieving spouse.

So the Bible teaches that God regards marriage as something that is meant to last. For Christians, merely 'living together' is not an option, because there's no real commitment involved. All of this means that when it comes to entering into marriage, or ending one, it's important not to rush. Far better to seek good advice before making hasty and rash decisions. And marriages that may be struggling can be saved because marriage is something that is dear to the heart of God.