Much has been written on 1 Corinthians 7, qualifying how singleness is good. Not only that, but when most single people are asked why they have yet to be married, they quickly retreat to this portion of scripture. The point of this article isn’t to get into the nitty-gritty of 1 Corinthians 7 to make a case. I will zero in on one portion of 1 Corinthians 7 that is usually overlooked by the many who see singleness as a joy. This portion of 1 Corinthians 7 begs the question, what are we to do with our singleness?
This article was inspired by a question one of my colleagues asked a while back during Bible study: as singles, what risks are you taking for the gospel? Rephrasing it with 1 Corinthians 7:35 may sound like this: Are you giving your undivided devotion to the Lord? When you think about this question, do you feel adequately prepared to answer it? Could you conclusively say that you are actively using your singleness to glorify God? I seek to help you know if you are with a few leading questions.
Are You Going Out of Your Way to Do Evangelism and Missions?
As Paul writes to the Corinthians, he makes it clear that the reason that he was unmarried was to be wholeheartedly devoted to the work of the gospel, even with its accompanying risks (1 Corinthians 7:7). He reiterated multiple times in the passage that to be single means living for the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:32, 34-35). Since you aren’t concerned with the things of the world (1 Corinthians 7:28), are you ensuring that the world gets to know Christ, being a servant to all that you might win more of them (1 Corinthians 9:19)? Remember, the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) isn’t a great suggestion, it is a command. Since it is a command, Christian singles, as Paul indicates, have no excuse not to obey it.
After all, their sole focus shouldn’t be on the things of earth but on seeking God’s Kingdom (Matthew 6:33). In so doing, they will undistractedly strive to sing her praises to the world. Dear single, since you have no earthly focus, are you seeking to serve the lost by evangelising them? When an opportunity for short-term or long-term missions comes up, are you actively seeking to be involved? Do you strive to teach new converts all Christ has commanded you (Matthew 28:19)? If not, what are you doing with your singleness? As Paul says, there is only one reason to stay single: to serve God. However, if you have only sought to enjoy the world’s pleasures so far in your singleness, then Matthew 16:26 would like to have a word.
Are You Going Out of Your Way to Serve the Church?
If you aren’t actively involved in the mission field, are you serving Christ’s Church? First, do you even belong to a church, or is 1 Corinthians 7 just a means to shut critics up? If yes, are you at the centre of church life or on the periphery, far removed from the church that if you fell away, it wouldn’t be a shock to anyone? Yes, married people shouldn’t be on the edge of church life. However, compared to the married, the singles are to be much more involved. Singles should be in church earlier than most, for no one is slowing them down. They should actively ensure that the church is well set up. They should be the ones welcoming the guests into the church and leading the congregation in song. In short, if one who is married is going out of their way to serve the church more than you, you need to ask yourself some questions.
Are You Going Out of Your Way to Serve Fellow Saints?
Compared to married folks, you, the single, have much fewer worldly troubles. Since that is true, are you going out of your way to serve your brothers and sisters in Christ? Are you on the frontlines of exhorting one “another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13).” Can fellow saints pinpoint you as one who actively goes out of their way to stir them up to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25)? Do you seek to know their needs, prayer requests, and well-being, weeping with those who weep and rejoicing with those who rejoice (1 Corinthians 12:26)? Are you those who strive to be involved without fail in activities involving fellow saints? In short, are you using your freedom to serve fellow believers or just yourself?
Remember, saints are the building blocks of God’s dwelling place (Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:5). Therefore, as singles, it should always be our joy to ensure that it remains intact. We are to ensure that no cracks are forming that could cause damage. Therefore, as Paul did for all the churches he wrote to, we should seek to do the same with the saints around us. We have the time, so let us use it to regard others as more significant than ourselves without selfishness or conceit. Let us strive to be of the same mind with our fellow believers for God’s glory (Philippians 2:1-5).
Are You Going Out of Your Way to Know God?
Finally and most importantly, in your singleness, are you growing in your undivided devotion to the Lord? Would you in your singleness regard everything as loss for Christ (Philippians 3:7-11)? With your extra time, are you reading and meditating on the Bible more and praying more? Is your quiet time occupied with God since you do not have all of the world’s worries on your shoulders? Would you now be considered a teacher, or have you done nothing with the time afforded, and you are still drinking milk (Hebrews 5:12-14)?
As Paul says, you have time on your hands to grow more in your knowledge of who God is. You have the time to seek him and put all your dependence on him (Philippians 4:6-7). You won’t always have this time, so don’t waste it seeking empty platitudes. Instead, seek the one who has promised that with him you will never be thirsty or hungry (John 4:14; 6:35). Remember that you have been crucified with Christ; therefore, it is no longer you who lives but Christ in you (Galatians 2:20).
Singles, your joy in singleness per 1 Corinthians 7 shouldn’t solely be based on your singleness but on what you do with it. Therefore, instead of using 1 Corinthians 7 as a way to shut up critics, use it as a means to spur you up to an undivided and wholehearted devotion to God and his Church, all for his honour and glory.
