Notes - verses 32-34

Previously (in 1 Corinthians 7:26-31), Paul encouraged a life undistracted by temporal joys and pains, because the current world system is passing away. Now, he says, live this out free from anxieties. What an encouraging invitation! Would anyone not want to be free from anxieties? To illustrate, he holds up, in contrast, the unmarried man and woman, who are concerned for the Lord's affairs, and the married man and woman, who are concerned for pleasing their spouse. Those who are married have divided interests. The single person is concerned for one thing. Freedom from anxieties does not mean we drift along without any concerns. On the contrary, Paul's contrast shows that true freedom comes from being concerned, for how to please the Lord. Anxiety for the Lord's affairs, for pleasing the Lord, brings freedom (Matthew 11:28-30), and this is how Paul would have us live. Is Paul saying that a married person can't have such devotion to the Lord? I don't think so; v35 (Part 3) indicates Paul wants a life of undivided devotion to the Lord for everyone, for their good. Paul acknowledges the married person's responsibilities (v33b, v34e) to their spouse. Properly fulfilled, these are not incompatible with a life devoted to the Lord. Freedom comes in part, it seems, by keeping the marriage in proper perspective, by understanding that it is temporary and secondary (v31). See also Luke 14:26.

notes

1413625531129 Notes - verses 32-34 1450898262 1451983963 Previously (in 1 Corinthians 7:26-31), Paul encouraged a life undistracted by temporal joys and pains, because the current world system is passing away. Now, he says, live this out free from anxieties. What an encouraging invitation! Would anyone not want to be free from anxieties? To illustrate, he holds up, in contrast, the unmarried man and woman, who are concerned for the Lord's affairs, and the married man and woman, who are concerned for pleasing their spouse. Those who are married have divided interests. The single person is concerned for one thing. Freedom from anxieties does not mean we drift along without any concerns. On the contrary, Paul's contrast shows that true freedom comes from being concerned, for how to please the Lord. Anxiety for the Lord's affairs, for pleasing the Lord, brings freedom (Matthew 11:28-30), and this is how Paul would have us live. Is Paul saying that a married person can't have such devotion to the Lord? I don't think so; v35 (Part 3) indicates Paul wants a life of undivided devotion to the Lord for everyone, for their good. Paul acknowledges the married person's responsibilities (v33b, v34e) to their spouse. Properly fulfilled, these are not incompatible with a life devoted to the Lord. Freedom comes in part, it seems, by keeping the marriage in proper perspective, by understanding that it is temporary and secondary (v31). See also Luke 14:26. notes 11450898262030

Arc - 1 Cor 7:32-34

editing

NT

1 Corinthians 7:32-34

esv

mine

I want you to be free from anxieties.

I want you to live free from earthly cares

The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord,

Let me explain ... The single man cares for the things of Christ

how to please the Lord.

how to please him.

ideaexplanation

But the married man is anxious about worldly things,

But the married man cares about temporal things,

how to please his wife,

how to please his wife,

and his interests are divided.

therefore his attention is divided .

inference

negativepositive

And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord,

And the single woman focuses on the Lord's priorities,

how to be holy in body and spirit.

how to be pure in her body and her mind

But the married woman is anxious about worldly things,

But the married woman is concerned about temporal things

how to please her husband.

how to please her husband

series

Live to please the Lord. A single person's single-mindedness shows what this looks like .

discourse

1413625531129 Arc - 1 Cor 7:32-34 1414664990 1451938305 editing NT 46 7 32 7 34 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 esv mine i1457420 i1457410 I want you to be free from anxieties. I want you to live free from earthly cares i1457421 i1457422 i1457423 i1457411 The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, Let me explain ... The single man cares for the things of Christ i1457412 how to please the Lord. how to please him. ideaexplanation 1 i1457424 i1457425 i1457413 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, But the married man cares about temporal things, i1457414 how to please his wife, how to please his wife, ideaexplanation 1 i1457415 and his interests are divided. therefore his attention is divided . inference 2 negativepositive 2 1 i1457426 i1457427 i1457416 And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, And the single woman focuses on the Lord's priorities, i1457417 how to be holy in body and spirit. how to be pure in her body and her mind ideaexplanation 1 i1457428 i1457418 But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, But the married woman is concerned about temporal things i1457419 how to please her husband. how to please her husband ideaexplanation 1 negativepositive 2 1 series ideaexplanation 1 Live to please the Lord. A single person's single-mindedness shows what this looks like . 1 1 1 esv 25 mine 25 a 50 80 80 discourse 11414664989462