Why did Paul say that it is best to be unmarried?

Question

And only to marry if you can't control yourselve? To marry and have family is basically a command from God.He told Adam and Eve to start a family.

Isn't marriage for spiritual well being aswell as physical?Isn't s.e.x a sacred act within a marriage?Certainly it isn't just coz you wanna "get it on"!

And if this was another "message for the Gentiles" then why are gentiles only suppose to get married if the are horn(y)?

Answer 1

Because marriage is hard work and an earthly distraction that inhibits the ability of one to achieve true spiritual enlightenment.

Answer 2

Yes you are correct for the most part. Paul said it is best to remain as he was(unmarried)because when you are single and don't have any responsibilities then you can commit totally to doing God's works. When you have a wife and family, your responsibilities are to make ends meet, be a good father/mother, and devote alot of your time to your family. When you are single, you can devote unlimited time to the Lord's work. You are also correct about marriage. Some are ordained/called to be single and yet, some are to be married. It takes a special anointing to remain single all your life. Life has many temptations to try to sway you here and there. But if you cannot remain single and desire to be married(and if you cannot control you sexual urges) it is better to marry than to burn in hell's fire. Jesus said that because He was going to die on the Cross, then all men would be free. He said there would be no more Greek or Gentiles, bond or free, etc. Basically what He was saying was that He was dying for all and we have as much right to the Kingdom of God as only the Jews had previously. May God Bless

Answer 3

It's a great question. When I was young, I heard this passage unceasingly preached on by the pastors (who all happaned to be married with children). How the heck do they know anything about a life of singleness?

most people get married , including Christians. Those who aren't almost always want to be. I do think it's for spiritual well being as well as physical.

The only thing I can think of is that paul said "in light of the present distress", meaning at that time the church was undergoing severe persecution AND they thought Christ would be returning any day, certainly within the year.

Now that it's two thousand years later, I don't think people are postponing marriage for that reason. At least if they're being honest about things.

How crazy when you think about it, only marry if you can't control yourself. I doubt any pastor would think this is a good reason to marry, but yet that's what it says.

Answer 4

1Timothy %:8 says that if a person cannot provide for his family(This provision includes physical, emotional and spiritual) he is worse than a person without faith. When Paul says it is best to be unmarried he is referring to a person who wants to put doing God's will above every other thing. Paul preached, travelling from one place to another, and if a christian wants to do same it would be better not to marry than to use this preaching work as an excuse not to take of the family. The family is also important and needs the care of those who have and wants one.

When paul says to marry if one cannot control oneself, he means that it is better to marry than to be inflamed with passion, the bible condemns fornication and adultery so it would be better to marry if one cant control his sexual urge than to give in and sin against God. Besides, God creating the first man and woman to fill the earth does not mean that we should be giving birth every nine months, and increasing our already overpopulated earth. Paul statement is not because a person wants sex only, but so that such a person is not consumed by his passions and then sin against God. Also the bible is for everyone, Paul's statement was not for the gentiles only but for anyone who cannot get control over his passions.

Answer 5

Dear KALLitgirl,

Paul's teaching on not getting married was not him taking a position to say whether or not it was good or right to get married. He was sharing the idea that the single person is better able to serve the Lord because of his singleness. i think in a sense he was reminding those who are single and in ministry what a blessing that can be.

The Lord did indeed teach that being married and having children is a wonderful blessing from the Lord.

So Paul's saying taken in context is that he's saying that the blessing of singleness is that it allows us to serve the Lord better.

As a single pastor i think i can relate to what Paul is saying. A lot of times when the college and youth at my church want to hang out in the afternoons after church- i don't have a wife to check in with and i'm able to hang out later--- when i do get married and have kids that would be a different story.

Both ways are wonderful-- and both singleness and married life is a blessing from the Lord. And Children are definitely a blessing from God.

You are right in terms of gettting married is for spiritual well-being as well and people shouldn't just get married based on physical attraction.

Great Question-- hope that helps.

Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 6

If you read the text Paul was clearly only stating his opinion and ,he makes it known that this is not a command nor the opinion of the Lord, and He actually says marriage is a gift of God


corinthians 7
6. But I speak this by permission, and NOT OF COMMANDMENT 7. For I would that all men were even as I myself. BUTevery man hath his proper GIFT OF GOD, one after this manner, and another after that.

Answer 7

Realize friend Paul was an evangelist.... Paul traveled constantly. He knew that anyone that chose to spread the message of Jesus Christ in the manner he was called to do... would be away from family... would not be present to raise their children..... this was a time when the journey of hundreds of miles..... took a very long time.... He was saying if you can control your flesh to be able to travel and preach the word.... then its best you not marry because you wouldnt be able to be a husband and father to your family constantly being away.

Answer 8

He did not say it is best to remain unmarried, he said both options are ok, it depends on what you want to do, those who are not married have less dependancies and responsibilities and can probably devote more time to God...i guess...

marriage and having a family comes with sacrifices and added responsibilities, burdens and pleasures.

Answer 9

Yes live poor,no marriage,no material things.

There comes a point though whereyou question why be alive than if I must become this close. Don't get me wrong I thing we all should have a relationship with god but we should not goto terrible efforts to put ourself out unless you choose.

Answer 10

If we are married God would have us to take care of the needs of the home before we evangelize anyone else.