7 Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.
8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.
9 But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
V. 7 - “I wish that all men were even as I myself am” - From this it appears that Paul was celibate, a confirmed bachelor. His whole life was dedicated to serving the Lord - first as a zealous Pharisee, and later, finally, as a zealous apostle and teacher of the Word of Salvation in Jesus Christ our Lord. I don’t think Paul thought it was good for every person to be single and celibate. He thought it would be good for every person to be so dedicated to service for Christ that they would not need to be married.
“However, each man has his own gift from God” - This is not ‘One-Size-Fits-All’. He did not denigrate those who are married and believe in Christ. God has a wonderful plan for your life. Live that plan for Him.
V. 8 - “But I say to the unmarried” - If you can, stay single (whether unmarried or widowed) so that your work for the Lord will be unhindered by family responsibilities. Paul is not downgrading the needs of your families. He knows that when you have a family the needs - wife, husband, children, house and home - will consume part of your attention and time. These cannot be denied or ignored. As a result your attention to the work of the Lord has competition from your family. So, in Paul’s opinion - coming from a hardworking apostle - it would be better for the church if you all were single-mindedly working just like him.
V. 9 - “if they do not have self-control” - same advice as in verses 3-6, above. Immorality - sexual sin whether single or married - is unacceptable.
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