Final Thoughts on Marriage

Final Thoughts on Marriage
Words of Faith 6-11-25
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2025
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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1 Corinthians 7

    [36] If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if she is getting along in years and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. [37] But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin--this man also does the right thing. [38] So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does even better.

    [39] A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. [40] In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is--and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

        Paul made a few last comments about single life and marriage decisions. The translation of this passage has some interesting difficulties. The term "anyone" in the passage could refer to a father or bridegroom. There is a note regarding the alternate translation in the NIV margin. This text could instruct a bridegroom who is engaged to be married or to a father who has an engaged daughter. We really don't know. It is interesting to look at it both ways.

        By the NIV reading, Paul instructed that a bridegroom, a single man who has been engaged for some time, who feels he may be acting improperly by delaying Marriage, does not sin by going ahead and marrying. It is also not a scandal for such a man to break the engagement if he feels this is not right.

        In the alternate reading, Paul instructs that a father who feels his engaged daughter ought to marry does not sin by approving this Marriage. He also does not sin by not giving her hand in Marriage. This reflects the role of a father who, in the first-century culture, exercised great decision-making authority in matters affecting his family.

       As a believer, a father may have decided that his daughter should not marry for reasons similar to those Paul mentioned in 7:25-34. But the father may not have reckoned with the fact that his daughter might not be able to remain single because she does not possess the gift of celibacy (v. 7). If so, Paul recommended that the father should not feel obligated to hold to his previous commitment but instead let his daughter marry. The father should feel free to follow through on his conviction to keep his daughter single. He had a settled and firm conviction about the propriety of her celibacy.

        For our modern tastes, the NIV reading is preferable for many reasons, including the sense that a daughter is considered a property to "keep" in the alternate reading. We must remember that Paul was trying to bridge some enormous cultural issues, including arranged Marriage, bride-price, and dowry.

        In the end, this passage suggests that in any culture, decisions regarding marriage must be made. Paul has given much pastoral guidance, but these are still decisions that must be prayerfully contemplated with the Lord and the help of parents.

        Paul's final word, concerning the binding nature of Marriage, really had to do with the remarriage of widows. Widowers were far less common, but the principle would be the same. After covering much territory, Paul reminded the Corinthians that a woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. A widow should not remarry to an unbeliever. Paul thought she would be happier to stay single, and he felt this was the Spirit of God on the matter, but she was permitted to remarry.

        Father God, help me sort out the important issues of Marriage and family life. Help me bless those You are calling into Marriage and guide those contemplating such decisions. Help me to be part of Your Body in ways that strengthen Marriage and affirm those who are called to singleness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2025
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2025 Jeffrey D. Hoy.