It is said that there is nothing new under the sun. Paul says here that "since there is so much immorality" men and women should marry. Sounds like something that could be written today, in the 21st century. I did not think that immorality was such an issue in the 1st century. Apparently it was. I guess the style of dress, alcohol, drugs, the internet, TV and such are not as big of an influence on this basic sin of man as I thought. Interesting how little changes as things change!
Was Paul ever married? I don't know. I believe he was not. He indicates here that he is not currently married. A Google search produced the following:
"Some believe that the Apostle Paul was married because history tells us that a member of the Sanhedrin was required to be married. However, Paul never stated that he was a member of the Sanhedrin. He definitely seemed to be on the path, "I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers" (Galatians 1:14). However, Paul might not have advanced that far before He converted to Christ." So, was the Apostle Paul married? It is possible that he was at one time, but again, the Bible does not specifically say."
If Paul was once married, what happened to his wife? Did she die? Was Paul divorced?
If he was never married, how is he able to give marriage advice. It has always amazed me how people who have not gone through situations that I am going through seem to think that they have great advice for how I should face my situations. Not that advice is not good or not needed. It is just that the source of some advice seems questionable to me. How can someone who has not raised children give advice on how to raise children? How can someone who has never been married or who has not had a sick spouse give advice on how to love your wife through all circumstances? Also. advice needs to be exactly what the word is - ADVICE = an opinion or recommendation; a suggestion. Too often "advice" in the church is a command of what to do instead of advice. That is something all of us need to be very careful about.
I like how Paul separates command from advice in this chapter.
1 comment:
I agree with you on the advice Rich. Advice, in my opinion, is someone who is looking at the situation from another perspective, on the outside looking at both sides or totally not involved and just saying what they think of that maybe you did not. Advice is not what you need to do but meerly someone else's thoughts on the situation.
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