1 Corinthians 7:32 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.

NIV: I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord.

NASB: But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;

CSB: I want you to be without concerns. The unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord.

NLT: I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord’s work and thinking how to please him.

KJV: But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

NKJV: But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord.

Paul is making the case that unmarried Christians should remain unmarried. He has made clear that this is not a command from God—those who marry are not guilty of sin (1 Corinthians 1:25–28). He has also made two broad exceptions to his personal preference. Those who "burn" with sexual "passion" should marry instead of being in a constant struggle against immorality. And those who are betrothed or engaged should follow through on their commitment. Everyone else, though, should seriously consider remaining single.

Paul gives a clear explanation in this and the following verses. He wants the Corinthian Christians to be free from anxieties or concern. In this context, this does not seem to mean anxiety in the sense of being overly worried all the time. Those in Christ can live free from the emotional state of anxiety no matter what their circumstances (Philippians 4:4–9).

Instead, Paul seems to be addressing a person's attention and focus. An unmarried man makes pleasing the Lord the full focus of his life. In this sense, he is "anxious about the things of the Lord." Those who are married, in contrast, have a spouse to consider (1 Corinthians 7:33).

First Corinthians 7:25–40 explores Paul's response to a question about those who are engaged to be married. Should they go through with it, considering his teaching that singleness provides opportunity to serve Christ undivided? Both are permitted, Paul insists, and you do well in either case. Paul's unique, personal view is that unmarried Christians can serve without the troubles that come with even the best marriages; they can remain fully focused on living for Christ. That is neither a command nor a judgment binding on anyone.

Paul rejects an idea concerning the Corinthian believers: that married Christians should not have sex. Perhaps some even thought marriages should be dissolved and avoided. On the contrary, Scripture says married Christians should have regular sex in order to avoid temptation. Those who are married ought to remain married. Unmarried believers with the gift of celibacy, however, should consider remaining single in order to avoid the troubles of marriage. That is Paul's personal preference, though that gift is not given to all others. Single believers can devote themselves to serving Christ without distraction. The time is short. All believers should live and serve Christ now as if this world is passing away.

First Corinthians 7 follows Paul's teaching in the previous chapter, which focused mostly on avoiding sexual immorality. Here he commands married husbands and wives not to deprive each other of sex, or get divorced, in a misguided attempt to be more spiritual. Unmarried people who can live contentedly without sex, however, should consider remaining single in order to serve Christ undivided. Getting married is good, but the time is short. The form of this world is passing away. Unmarried people should think about the opportunities to avoid trouble and serve Christ that come with staying single.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.