Paul has been addressing questions the Corinthians sent him about marriage, instructing married believers to remain together and explaining that marriage is honorable while also acknowledging that remaining unmarried can allow for undivided devotion to the Lord. He has just finished discussing how believers married to unbelievers should handle their situations, emphasizing that God has called them to peace and that each person should remain in the calling they received when God called them. Paul has also addressed circumcision and slavery, teaching that one's spiritual state before God matters more than external circumstances. He now transitions to answer their specific question about virgins and unmarried people, introducing his guidance on singleness in light of present distress and the shortened time before Christ's return. Paul is addressing the church at Corinth.
[25] Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy. [26] I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—that it is good for a man to remain as he is: [27] Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. [28] But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.
[29] But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, [30] those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, [31] and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.
[32] But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. [33] But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. [34] There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. [35] And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.
In the preceding chapters, Jesus has been teaching about the kingdom of heaven, performing miracles, and engaging with various groups including Pharisees who questioned him about divorce and marriage. He has just finished explaining God's original design for marriage, emphasizing the permanence of the marital union and discussing the limited grounds for divorce under Mosaic law. His disciples responded by suggesting it might be better not to marry at all, to which Jesus replied that not everyone can accept this teaching, speaking about those who choose celibacy for the kingdom of heaven's sake. The narrative now transitions as people begin bringing children to Jesus for blessing, setting the stage for his teaching about childlike faith and the subsequent encounter with a wealthy young man seeking eternal life.
[13] Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. [14] But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” [15] And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.
[16] Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
[17] So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
[18] He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ [19] ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
[20] The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
[21] Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
[22] But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
[23] Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. [24] And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
[25] When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
[26] But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”