Here is the passage that Anonymous is asking about…
1. Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. 2. But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4. The 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. 5. Do 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. 6. I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7. I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
8. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. 9. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
1 Corinthians 7:1-9 (New International Version)
Answer: “this” refers to verses 1-9.
Paul was single and did not desire to be married to anyone. His sole focus was the mission of Jesus Christ. I know a few people who have given themselves fully to the mission of Christ that they have given up any thought of having the responsibility of a family. Paul calls this a “gift from God” (v. 7) and is considered one of the many spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit.
In verse 7 he actually wishes that everyone had the spiritual gift of being single as he enjoys the experience. Yet he recognizes that many don’t and they should marry, be loyal to one wife, and raise a Christ centered family. His concern is for those who have trouble controlling their sexual drives and making that worse by attempting to be single. Paul is saying “this” referring to the permission to marry rather than remaining single.
In verses 8-9 he is addressing the unmarried and the widows and encourages them remain unmarried unless they have problems with self control, then they should marry…same point but to a different group.
Paul is bias, but then again most scholars agreed that he really didn’t think the Lord was going to be gone so long. He believed that Jesus Christ would show up any day now and there simply was no time for such temporal things like marriage. He didn’t want to waste time on temporary things when the eternal destiny of many was hanging in the balance.
Two thousand years later believers realize how important a Christ centered marriage and family is to the very fabric of our cultures around the world. A Christian faith filled home is the essential building block of every good culture.
As a Pastor I long to see more and more Christ centered homes that are passionate about the purity of the Gospel and of their relationships. I meet people everyday who hunger to be apart of such a home and place.
The truth is that a Christian home and marriage begins in our hearts as individuals. Before you go trying to make a home or a marriage, be sure you are right with Christ first. Focus on your heart before you start pouring your life into another. Make sure you are overflowing with the good things of the Holy Spirit rather than the foul water of past sins.
