32But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord-- how he may please the Lord.

33But he who is married cares about the things of the world-- how he may please his wife.

34There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world-- how she may please her husband.

35And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.

Paul's second reason for recommending the single to remain unmarried is that they will have to 'care' for a spouse and family which will take away the freedom to really care for the things of the Lord (such as ministry in the Church, evangelism, church planting etc..). It is not wrong to care about pleasing one's wife and this indeed is part of Christian ministry, but Paul is saying that, in terms of expanding God's kingdom to the unreached and furthering God's purposes to the lost there is a greater freedom for the single person.


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