For Your Own Profit 1 Corinthians 7:35

According to the apostle Paul, “there is difference between a wife and a virgin” because “the unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord...but she that is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband”. In chapter seven and verse thirty-five of First Corinthians, Paul gave these instructions to the church members, “for” their “own profit” where we read:

And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you,

but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

The verse begins, “And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, ...” Paul began with the words, “And this I speak” which means “Paul uttered, proclaimed and declared these things” “for your own” or “for the church member's” “profit” which means “to be better, benefit or expedience”; “not that I” or “not that Paul” “may cast” which means “throw or beat into” “a snare” or “a noose or slip-knot by which any person or thing is caught, fastened or suspended” “upon you” which refers to “the church members”. Paul meant to “benefit” the people within the church in Corinth and not to “catch” or “suspend” them in any fashion.

The verse continues, “... but for that which is comely, and that you may attend upon the Lord without distraction.” Paul added the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “for that which is” or “for the advantages near, toward or by the church members with regard to things that are” “comely” which means “elegant, shapely, graceful, honorable, influential, wealthy and respectable”, “and that you may attend” which means “the church members may be sitting constantly by and devoted” “upon the Lord” or “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah” “without distraction” which means “not having any solicitude, anxiety or care ”. Paul desired to instruct the church members in a way that would be “honorable and respectable” and would provide them with great opportunity to “serve” the Lord Jesus without any “diversions or anxiety”.

When we consider these words from Paul, we see his care communicated toward the church in Corinth. Each of his exhortations concerning being “married” or “single” were meant to uplift them and encourage them to be busy about the Lord's business. Jesus Christ loves people, and He desires for them to be blessed with ample opportunity to share about His plan of Salvation. Paul the apostle was used to encourage the Corinthians, and we should thus be encouraged as well. May we see Paul's words for the blessing they are meant to be, and if we are challenged in any area, let us take those areas to the Lord in prayer.

Next time Paul tells the church members what to do, “if any man think that he behaves himself uncomely toward his virgin”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.