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"I want you to be without care."

Text: 1 Corinthians 7:32

ANXIETIES OF LIFE

Paul was concerned about those who were deciding on whether they should be married or stay single. He added this word of advice.

“But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares
for the things of the Lord- how he may please the Lord.
But he who is married cares about the things of the world-
how he may please his wife.”
1 Corinthians 7:32-33

1. “But I want you to be without care”

a) The word care may be better understood as “anxiety”.

b) Paul used this same word when he wrote to the Church at Philippi (Philippians 4:6-7).

c) He expressed valid concern.

2. The unmarried

a) He does not have anxieties that may arise from his marriage.

b) He can focus on caring about the things of the Lord.

c) His main concern is how to please the Lord (How to live a life that is well-pleasing).

3. The married

a) He has to be concerned about the things associated with marriage:

i) His wife

ii) The children (if any)

b) The things of the world:

i) A career

ii) Setting up a home

c) Pleasing the wife:

i) Marital challenges

ii) Family difficulties

FAMILY COMMITMENTS

Paul was not against having a family. But he needed to highlight the anxieties that will attend marriage!

1. The ultimate decision lies with the individual to be married or to stay single.

2. Either decision is not sinful.

3. However, there must be full awareness of the many moments of anxiety that would come.

Wisdom would be necessary to help make that final decision.