For those Never Married

For those Never Married
Words of Faith 6-6-25
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2025
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Exciting Study in the Land of the Bible with Dr. and Mrs. Hoy.
January 13-23, 2026
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Tel Aviv Pre-tour and Jerusalem On Your Own Post-tour available.
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1 Corinthians 7
[25] Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. [26] Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for you to remain as you are. [27] Are you married? Do not seek a divorce. Are you unmarried? Do not look for a wife. [28] But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

       What about those singles who had never been married? Paul made the assumption here, even in the promiscuous culture of Corinth, that persons who had never been married were virgins-- or sexually inexperienced. Should such people get married?

        The basic principle Paul had been setting forth-- to continue in one's present position-- was applied to those who had never married. Apparently, this was in response to a question put to him. Paul urged them to remain single, for three reasons-- an impending time of distress for Christians was upon them (26-28), the imminent return of Christ (29-31), and this allowed undistracted service for Christ (32-35). But, if a person who had never married does get married, this is not a sin.

        Paul was clear about God's call for singles to walk in purity before Marriage or indefinitely if they do not marry. He advised Timothy to "flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2 Tim. 2:22).

       "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral" (Hebrews 13:4). "It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable" (1 Thes. 4:3-4). "God wants you to live a pure life. Keep yourselves from sexual promiscuity. Learn to appreciate and give dignity to your body" (NLT).

         Paul's point here was practical, not moral. There is no moral command against Marriage, in fact, quite the opposite; Marriage is the context God created for sexual love and the creation of family. But Paul wanted to spare those who were not married from "many troubles in this life."

       Paul was not poor-mouthing the institution of Marriage. Most scholars agree that these "troubles" were the persecution of Christians that was beginning to sweep from Rome toward the east. With the return of Christ, there would be the birth pangs of the Second Advent. These troubles would be challenging enough. Being newly married with a young family would make such times all the more difficult.

           We must remember that Paul began this whole section by saying:  "Each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband (7:2). Paul was not anti-marriage, but he did have concerns.

          We must also remember that Jesus honored and blessed the institution of Marriage when He attended a wedding at Cana of Galilee (John 2). He even had enough concern for that celebration to perform His first public miracle by changing water into wine. There is no question that Jesus honored and valued Marriage extremely highly-- "I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, and marries another woman commits adultery" (Matthew 19:9).

          So, should people get married? The disciples said to Jesus, "If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry."  Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced Marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it" (Matthew 19:10-12).

          Jesus affirmed that celibacy in service of the Lord is one of God's calls. He also affirmed that "everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life" (Matthew 19:29). He also blessed a wedding with His presence and miraculous power.

         For believers today, we face some of the same issues that threaten the stability of life. Christians are now persecuted in the media, in the courts, and in the schools. The attacks against Christianity are no longer subtle. Globally, there is growing hatred by religious people toward Jews and Christians.

          We do not know, but the birth pangs of Christ's return may be upon us soon. Yet, we generally look at Marriage with more optimism. We celebrate with great joy the weddings of those who are young and getting married for the first time. We pray the blessing of the Lord upon those who feel called to have a married life together that honors God and is a witness to His love.

        Father God, guide Your children and Your church in these difficult times. Lead each one into the life of service You desire. Give Your blessing upon those who marry in Your Name and those who are called to singleness in service. 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.