1 Corinthians 7:36-40
1Co 7:36 But if anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his fiancé, if his passions are strong, and so it has to be, let him do what he wants to; he is not sinning. Let them marry.
1Co 7:37 But the one who stands firm in his heart, being under no necessity but having his own desire under control, and has determined in his own mind to keep her as his fiancé, he will do well.
1Co 7:38 So then, he who marries his fiancé does well; and he who refrains from marriage will do better.
1Co 7:39 A wife is tied down as long as her husband lives; but if her husband is dead, she is free to be married to whomever she wants to, only in the Lord.
1Co 7:40 But in my opinion she is happier if she stays the way she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.
distracted by desire
The situation in the Corinthian churches seems to be that some young men who were at the age of marriage were concerned that doing so would be out of God’s will. Someone said that Paul said it was better not to marry. This was causing some concern. Paul writes back to the Corinthians and says, “Yes, I did say it was better not to marry, and it is, but if you are going to be distracted by your desire to marry, then it is better to marry.”
LORD, we want to be as committed to you and your kingdom as possible. Help us to keep our other desires and plans under control.