![]() Some scholars feel from certain suggestions in the Scriptures that Paul was once married, although he certainly is not married at the time he wrote this letter, and probably had not been throughout his Christian experience. ![]() In fact, Paul thinks so highly of it that he recommends it to everyone. He says celibacy is a divinely approved status, and there is nothing wrong with it at all. The single life, Paul says, is as much a gift and calling of God as is the married life. To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain single as I do. But each has his own special gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. There were bachelors and spinsters in those days also, and certain questions had arisen concerning them. Among other matters, they asked about the value and conduct of married life and certain questions as to single life. The apostle is here answering questions written to him from the Christians at Corinth. We shall hear from Paul first, in the seventh chapter of First Corinthians. They both begin at the same point, with an appraisal of the value of single life - an especially reassuring word to any who are inclined to view singleness as subnormal or freakish. The Bible's advice to the married was through Peter, the married apostle, who was used to unfold most fully the divine intent in marriage, so the words to the unmarried are given through two men who were not married - the Lord Jesus Christ himself, and the Apostle Paul. The Holy Spirit, in his selection of instruments through which to impart the Word of God, has chosen those best suited to his task. We should expect, therefore, to find it has something insightful and perceptive to say to those who have never married. In its character as a kind of handbook that goes with man, the Bible speaks to every class, every condition, unveils every basic problem of human life, and sheds light on every circumstance. Encouraged by books such as Sex and the Single Girl, and the many lurid movies of today, single young people find it increasingly difficult to stay off the toboggan slide of sexual looseness. Among this group, as among the married, moral anarchy is running rife. Many of these are what are called "unclaimed blessings," but many of them of both sexes will probably never marry. But there are still some fifteen million bachelors in the United States, and thirteen million unmarried women and girls. Previous messages in this series have touched upon biblical marriage principles as viewed against the dark background of increasing unfaithfulness and skyrocketing divorce rates. ![]()
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