1 Corinthians 7:32-35 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

But Or now; I would have you During this flying moment; without carefulness Or anxiety, amidst all these uncertainties: without any encumbrance or distraction of your thoughts, about the affairs of this short uncertain life, in order that you may freely and cheerfully wait on God in a due attendance on all his ordinances, and may serve him according to his will; and therefore, for the present, I advise you to remain single as you are. For he that is unmarried If he understand and use the advantage he enjoys; careth chiefly for the things that belong to the Lord Namely, the Lord Christ; how he may please the Lord And is in a great degree at liberty to employ his thoughts, cares, and labours, for the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom among men; and surely there is no other employment so honourable, so delightful, and, when remote consequences are taken into the account, so profitable. But he that is married careth for the things of the world And it is his duty so to do, so far as becomes a Christian; how he may please his wife May accommodate himself to her temper in all lawful things, so as to make her easy and happy, and provide all things needful for her and his family. There is a difference also between a wife and a virgin Whether the church be under persecution or not. The unmarried woman Not burdened with a family, if she know and use her privilege; careth chiefly for the things of the Lord All her time, care, and thoughts, centre in this, how she may be holy both in body and spirit. This is the standing advantage of a single life in all ages and nations, but who makes a suitable use of it? But she that is married, careth how she may please her husband And the diversity of humours both in men and women, and the imperfection of even the best tempers, make this sometimes, on both sides, a difficult task; on which account single persons have always some considerable advantages, and especially in times of public danger. And this Concerning the advantages of a single life; I speak for your profit To show you what is most advantageous for your souls; not that I may cast a snare upon you Who are not able to receive this saying; but for that which is comely Προς το ευσχημον, for that which is decent, agreeable to your holy calling and profession: and that you may attend upon the Lord May resolutely and perseveringly wait upon him in the use of all the means of grace, and in a continual attention to the voice of his providence, word, and Spirit. The word ευπροσεδρον, rendered attend upon, signifies sitting close by a person, in a good posture to hear: so Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, Luke 10:39: without distraction Without having the mind drawn from its centre, from its close attention to God, by any person or thing, care or encumbrance whatsoever.