Singlehood and “the Present Distress” (1 Corinthians 7:26)

As Paul gives instructions for virgins and widows (1 Cor. 7:25-40), he begins with the περι δε formula (“now concerning”), responding to a specific question he has been asked by the Corinthians (cf. v. 1). We don’t have a copy of the letter they sent to Paul, so we can only infer what their questions were from Paul’s responses.

Paul's Advice

The apostle’s expressed judgment about unmarried persons at the time in Corinth is based on “the present distress” (ESV, NASB, NKJV) or “impending crisis” (NRSV) [τὴν ἐνεστῶσαν ἀνάγκην],¹ whether current or in the near future (v. 26b). This is probably an allusion to a period of persecution (vv. 28-31; cf. Acts 14:22; 2 Tim. 3:12) or perhaps any difficulties faced by those trying to follow Christ in a godless environment.

Paul could assume his original reading audience knew what he was talking about (based on their shared experiences and communications), without further explanation needed. But today we only have one side of the conversation, so our understanding of the situation cannot be as precise, although what Paul says is reasonably clear.

Hard Times

It is good to remain as you are, whether married or unmarried (vv. 26c-27). It is not sinful to marry, but in “the present distress” you “will have trouble” (v. 28). Persecutions, government restrictions, and related hardships would cause Christians to be separated from their spouses, “as though they had none”; unable to have or attend funerals, “as though they did not weep”; unable to enjoy celebrations, “as though they did not rejoice”; lose property, “as though they did not possess”; denied basic rights, “as though they did not make full use of [this world]” (vv. 29-31a).

The world as the mid-first-century Corinthians knew it was passing away (v. 31b), so why would anyone want to start a family in this environment? If already married, stay married. If not, Paul’s advice in the current situation is to stay single and use it to the glory of God.

Conclusion

Paul’s counsel for unmarried Christians, as stated in 1 Corinthians 7, was issued in a particular context that does not necessarily correspond to different environments and circumstances. Nevertheless, in principle, singlehood is legitimized and is still a practical option. Faithfully serving the Lord does not depend on marital status.²

--Kevin L. Moore

Endnotes:

     ¹ The articular perfect-tense participial form of ἐνίστημι (“present,” “imminent,” or “impending”) + the accusative form of the noun ἀνάγκη (“pressure,” “distress”).

     ² See K. L. Moore, “The Single Christian,” Moore Perspective (23 April 2015), <Link>.

Related Posts: The Case for the Single Missionary 

Image credit: https://www.physiology.org/publications/news/the-physiologist-magazine/2019/november/stressed-out?SSO=Y

Let Us Reason Together (Isaiah 1:18)

The Context: God speaks through Isaiah the prophet concerning the rebellion and wickedness of his people. Their sinfulness has made their prayers and other acts of worship empty and displeasing to God. He issues an angry rebuke (Isaiah 1:1-15), followed by a gracious offer.

The Call of Restoration: “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow” (vv. 16-17, NKJV).

The Invitation: “‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the Lord ...” (v. 18a). The initiative is taken by God, extending his lovingkindness with a benevolent invitation, “Come.” The qualifier “now” conveys urgency—no legitimate reason to wait. The exhortation “let us” requires a cooperative spirit. The verb “reason” implies the ability to think and to form judgments. However, since fallible human reasoning is often incongruous with the higher ways of God, he graciously invites us into his way of thinking—always right, good, and reasonable. The adverb “together” indicates a relationship in which God allows us to participate.

The Promise: “‘Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool’” (v. 18b). Two shades of red—scarlet (fiery red) and crimson (deep red), the colors of fire and blood—portray the deep, dark, conspicuous, and destructive nature of sin, deserving of fiery judgment. But in his mercy God is willing and able to turn the reddest sin into the purest white, like “snow” and “wool,” symbols of purity among ancient Jews (Psa. 51:7; 147:16; Dan. 7:9; Rev. 1:14).

The Condition of Pardon: “If you are willing and obedient ...” (v. 19a). God does not force himself into our lives. With clear instruction and strong incentive, we are given the freedom to obey and be blessed or to not obey and suffer the dreadful consequences of our own foolish choices.

Ironically, it is blood that God has prescribed as the means of spiritual cleansing, that which turns the deep redness of sin into the pure whiteness of forgiveness. As penitent baptized believers walking in the light of God’s word, let us be counted among the great multitude of the redeemed, having “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:14).

-- Kevin L. Moore

*Prepared for The Estes Echo (20 March 2026), bulletin of the Estes Church of Christ in Henderson, TN.

Related Posts:

Related articles:

 

Image credit: https://wfuv.org/content/white-driven-snow 

Does Prayer Actually Change Anything?

Prayer Impacts Relationships

Prayer strengthens our relationship with God. Since no relationship can be healthy without genuine and regular communication, prayer grants us ready access to the heavenly throne. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6, NKJV).

Prayer strengthens our relationships with those with whom we pray. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing .... Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thess. 5:11-18).¹ Conversely, strained relations hinder prayers (1 Pet. 3:7).

Prayer strengthens our relationships with those for whom we pray. “We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you .... For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you ...” (Col. 1:3-9).² How could the Colosse saints not be encouraged by this realization? “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving thanks be made for all men” (1 Tim. 2:1).

Prayer Impacts Spiritual Health

Prayer benefits those who pray. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:6-7). It’s comforting to know that no one has to carry life’s burdens alone. There are many things we don’t understand or know how to deal with that we can just turn over to God. We ought to feel better when we pray. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might .... praying always with all prayer and supplication ...” (Eph. 6:10-18).³

Prayer Impacts Circumstances

“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16b).⁴ The specifics of how this works, however, is beyond our comprehension, which is why we trust God, who is infinitely smarter and more powerful than we are. “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14-15).

We can and should know God’s will as revealed in scripture (the other side of communication), so we pray accordingly—not for selfish or petty or ungodly things. And we have confidence in God hearing and answering our prayers according to his providential will. We may not be able to specifically pinpoint the how, the what, and the when, but we can be assured that he has our best interests at heart. His ways are infinitely better than we even know how to ask (Rom. 8:26-28).

Conclusion

Whether or not we ever figure out all there is to know about prayer, we do know that Jesus and the early church considered it essential. It is something God expects us to take seriously and practice routinely. We can’t be faithful in our Christian walk without it.

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph. 2:20-21).

--Kevin L. Moore

Endnotes:

     ¹ See also Acts 2:42; 4:23-31; 6:4, 6; 8:24; 12:5, 12; 14:23; 20:36; 21:5.

     ² See also Rom. 1:8-9; Eph. 1:16; Phil. 1:3-4; 1 Thess. 1:2; 2:13; 3:9-10; 2 Thess. 1:11; 2 Tim. 1:3.

     ³ See also Matt. 6:6-13; Luke 11:1-13; Acts 16:25; 22:17; 27:35-36; 28:15.

     ⁴ See also James 5:15-18; Gen. 25:21; 2 Sam. 21:14; 24:25; 2 Chron. 33:12-13; Psa. 102:17; Acts 12:5; 28:8; 1 Tim. 2:1-4.

Related Posts: God Answers Prayer, The "Acts" of the Apostles 

Related articles: Caleb Colley, 'Answered Prayer' Research

 

Image credit: https://www.umc.org/en/content/making-prayer-a-way-of-life