What does 1 Corinthians 7:31 mean?

Paul is urging Christians to embrace the reality that our time on this earth is short. In any number of ways, each person's earthly life can come to an end at any moment. The events that will trigger the Lord's return could happen at any moment. Beyond that, our lives on this side of eternity are fragile and pass very quickly (James 4:14).

How should we live in the here and now? Paul has given a counter-perspective to the view that this life as all there is. His quip is that we should be married as if we are not married. We should mourn, rejoice, and make purchases as if we do not experience those emotions or end up with any products. Clearly, he has something in mind other than a shallow, literal approach. Paul's point is that we should hold every temporary relationship and possession loosely while we grip tightly our commitment to serve Christ.

Now he adds a blanket statement to sum up this idea. Christians who deal with the world should live as if they don't. Of course, everyone deals with the world in one sense or another. We live here. We must navigate through relationships and decisions and lifestyle choices. Paul does not call us out of the world. Instead, he calls believers not to put any hope in finding lasting meaning and purpose in the form of the world that is passing away.

Paul phrased this same concept in clear terms when writing to the believers in Colossae. Here's how he put it in Colossians 3:1–4:

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:1–4).