Why did Paul say.....

[praying]

1 Corinthians 7

1 Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.

 

[Philip]

It is better that a man (or a woman) devote their life entirely to Christ. However, this is not possible for all people -- not all have the self control needed to resist lust. For those who choose to marry, they are to serve as a symbol of the marriage of Christ and His Church.

 

[praying]

It is better that a man (or a woman) devote their life entirely to Christ. However, this is not possible for all people -- not all have the self control needed to resist lust. For those who choose to marry, they are to serve as a symbol of the marriage of Christ and His Church.

Thanks!

 

[artybloke]

1Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.[1] 2But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
8Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. 9But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

This is the whole first 11 verses from the NIV.

Notice the beginning of verse 2, it says "but." The letters to the Corinthians were both written in response to letters from the Corinthians themselves.

It is likely that the phrase immediately preceding the "but" clause is, in fact, Paul quoting from the letter sent to him (koine Greek didn't have speech marks to distinguish quotes.) What follows the "but" is St Paul's response.

That's my opionion at least. Try to read passages, rather than verses taken in isolation. Or even sit down and read a whole epistle at once. It won't take long.

 

[christian-only]

1 Corinthians 7

1 Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry.

CONTEXT: (1 Cor 7:26) "I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be."
The PRESENT DISTRESS was persecution. Compare Jesus' statement (Mat 24:19) "And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!"

 

[Philip]

This is the whole first 11 verses from the NIV.

Notice the beginning of verse 2, it says "but." The letters to the Corinthians were both written in response to letters from the Corinthians themselves.

It is likely that the phrase immediately preceding the "but" clause is, in fact, Paul quoting from the letter sent to him (koine Greek didn't have speech marks to distinguish quotes.) What follows the "but" is St Paul's response.

Interesting idea, but I think verse 6 contradicts it.

 

[TSIBHOD]

Look at some other verses on not marrying:

Mat 19:7 They said to Him, Why did Moses then command to give a bill of divorce and to put her away?
Mat 19:8 He said to them, Because of your hard-heartedness Moses allowed you to put away your wives; but from the beginning it was not so.
Mat 19:9 And I say to you, Whoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is put away commits adultery.
Mat 19:10 His disciples said to Him, If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not good to marry.
Mat 19:11 But He said to them, Not all receive this word, except those to whom it is given.
Mat 19:12 For there are some eunuchs who were born so from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of Heaven's sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.

To be celibate is a special gifting of God, not intended for all people. Let he who is able to receive it do so. Otherwise, marriage is a blessed thing. To stay single should be an exception, but it is a very valid exception, and there is nothing wrong with either state.

 

[visionary]

Amen...Tsibhod