Discontentment in life is an ever-present temptation, often arising when life does not pan out the way we thought. It also arises when we think we should be doing more important things, spiritual or otherwise. While 1 Corinthians 7 is about marriage and singleness, it is first about bringing glory to God in every situation and season of life through contentment. This theme is seen clearly in the middle of the chapter, where we have three separate exhortations to lead the life the Lord has assigned to each of us. “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…Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called…So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God” (1 Corinthians 7:17; 20; 24). This chapter helps us understand that because our circumstances are sovereignly ordained by God, we can bring him glory in every state and season of life.
Live as you were called…to marriage
Marriage is a fundamental human institution. In Genesis 2, we see that God is the one who created marriage. Because of the fall and the entrance of sin into the world, our marriages are affected, just as every other area of our lives is. In chapter 6, Paul had to address the problem of sex outside the marriage covenant. In chapter 7, the opposite issue is addressed. Some were teaching that husbands and wives should refrain from sexual intimacy. This is clearly not God’s design. As Paul teaches, husbands and wives are to joyfully give themselves entirely to one another. If we apply the overarching principle of this chapter to marriage, we see that Christian spouses are to be fully committed to one another.
In the same way, Christians are not to pursue divorce (7:10-11). Paul specifically addresses the issue of Christians who are married to unbelievers. Here, the principle is the same: do not seek to change this relationship. Do not get a divorce simply because you have become a Christian and your spouse has not.
Perhaps questions and concerns like these are in the mind of the believing spouse: “How can I please the Lord when my spouse is not a Christian? I can’t minister as freely as I’d like. We don’t have the same goals in life.” Paul reminds the believing spouse that they are called to peace. He also encourages the believer in the marriage: Your faithfulness may be used by the Lord to bring your spouse to faith in Christ (16). No matter our state in life, even the most uncomfortable and difficult, the Lord will use us. Therefore, he calls us to be faithful and to trust him in our marriages.
Live as you were called…to singleness
Just as there are blessings and gospel pictures in Christian marriage, so the same applies to Christian singleness. Paul was a single man able to serve the Lord in a unique capacity that a married man would not have been able to do. Throughout this chapter, Paul expresses and even encourages singleness. First, Paul expresses that singleness can be a gift from the Lord, just as marriage is (8). Second, singleness brings freedom from “worldly troubles,” namely, the responsibility and burden of caring for a wife and family. Third, singleness allows more freedom to serve the Lord (32; 34). Fourth, and finally, it is not unspiritual to be single (40). In Paul’s judgment, the widow could be happier if she stayed single. He then adds, a bit sarcastically, “And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.” Of course, Paul has the Spirit of God. This remark encourages the Corinthians to take seriously what Paul has said, reminding them that it is not unspiritual to remain single.
Live as you were called…ethnically and socially
It seems strange that in a chapter largely about marriage and singleness, Paul addresses circumcision and slavery. These two issues are used to make his point about leading the life God has assigned. These circumstances illustrate that God has sovereignly ordained your circumstances. Being a Jew or a Gentile has nothing to do with your life decisions. God has made you the way you are. Not only that, but being a Jew (circumcised) or a gentile has no bearing on your relationship to God. The same is true of social status, slave or free; in both circumstances, you can honor God. The Jew and Gentile are called to keep the commandments of God (19), and the bondservants remember that they have been bought with the blood of Christ (23).
Live as you were called…and change your situation if the Lord directs
In some sense, Paul seems to be playing both sides of the fence. He encourages singleness while also encouraging marriage. The same thing comes out regarding the bondservant (20-21). “Do not be concerned about being free, but if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself.” Paul’s point is that the call to live in the state God has placed you in is not inflexible. Some desires change, like the desire for marriage. Some opportunities become available, like freedom for the bondservant. The Christian is free to pursue those things. However, the overarching principle remains the same: live as you were called and trust the Lord’s direction and guidance for your life.
Live as you were called…with undivided devotion to the Lord, anticipating his return.
Verses 25-40 present the reality that married men and women have pressures and godly concerns that single Christians do not,, hence Paul says, “I want you to be free from anxieties” (32). Paul brings out this reality, “not to lay any restraint,” that is, not to cause the Corinthians to fear they have sinned by being married or unmarried. As he made plain in verses 17-24, our life circumstances have no bearing on our ability to please God. The main concern is good order and undivided devotion to the Lord (35).
The other reality that Christians are to consider is the age we are in. When Paul speaks of “the present distress” and says, “the appointed time has grown very short,” I believe these are references to the last days. Since Christ’s ascension, the church has been in the last days. Knowing the time we live in means we know that everything here is temporary. Singleness, marriage, ethnicity, social status, and possessions are temporary and passing away (31). Therefore, we should never look at these things as ultimate things. We are never to see our circumstances as necessary to living a life that glorifies God. Paul’s life demonstrated that circumstances were never hindrances, but only opportunities to magnify Christ. Not only that, but the circumstances increased his love and longing for Christ’s appearing, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:7–8).
As we prepare our hearts and minds to worship together, we must understand that discontentment will be a hindrance to enjoying what the Lord has for us today. Discontentment will hinder our marriages and our relationships with other Christians. Discontentment will keep us from serving others. Discontentment will ultimately hinder our worship, as circumstances dictate our joy. True worship is hindered when we fail to understand God’s goodness and character and instead idolize our circumstances, whether what we have or lack. Understanding the Lord’s leading in our lives frees us to minister to others and helps us be content with our limitations. Brothers and sisters at CBC, let us all lead the life the Lord has assigned to us, thereby glorifying him no matter our calling.