1 Corinthians 7:8-9 (KJV) Something Better

1 Corinthians 7:8-9 (KJV)

I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

I suppose there are few passages of Scripture more confusing than this one—more explained away, or more generally ignored.

“It is good for a man not to touch a woman.”

Even in solid Baptist churches, this verse is often ignored, laughed at, or mocked. There’s a whole lot of hugging that goes on in Baptist churches these days.

Here’s my topic for this visit with the Lord: something better than marriage.

When I first got saved, I met a pastor (he has since passed away) whose convictions initially appalled me. This Pastor—himself a married man—would not support missionaries who were married. It was his belief that marriage would hinder them from the work God had called them to. I believe he also thought missions work was too dangerous for women.

Frankly, I thought he was off his rocker. I was probably encouraged in that thinking by my pastor and the man who discipled me. Today, I can at least see where he got that conviction. Not that I’m prepared to take his position—but I understand it.

I am married—46 years this coming September—and I cannot imagine anything better. I freely admit I’ve never served the Lord on a foreign field, and that might make a difference. Still, marriage has been the best thing that has ever happened to me outside of getting saved.

Yet in 42 years of pastoring, I’ve also observed that marriage is not always the best thing. For some, it is painful, devastating, and in far too many cases, destructive to the children who come from ill-advised unions.

Here is the lesson of the chapter, at least in very general terms:

Marriage is a wonderful covenant—if it is ordained of the Lord.
Don’t seek marriage. Seek the Lord.
If He places a spouse in your life, praise the Lord.
If not, praise the Lord.

#SeekTheLord #BiblicalMarriage #SinglenessForGod #MarriageGodsWay #BetterThanMarriage

Something Better: Marriage Isn’t the Goal—This Is

If this passage challenged the way you’ve thought about marriage, singleness, or serving the Lord, take a moment to join the conversation below. I’d genuinely like to hear how you understand 1 Corinthians 7 and how the Lord has guided you in this area—your perspective may help someone else who’s wrestling with the same questions.

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1 Corinthians 7:8-9 (KJV) Something Better