Hebraic Musing – How might an unmarried person have an advantage?

 Hebraic Musing – How might an unmarried person have an advantage?

Genesis 1:22 provides God’s first commandment to us, His children.  “Be fruitful and multiply”; but then His counsel takes an unusual twist in 1 Corinthians 7:34 where the Bible discusses the difference between the devotional concerns of a married person and an unmarried person, particularly their desire to devote themselves to the Lord.  Here are some verses to ponder:

1 Corinthians 7:32 says that “He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord.” NKJV    And a little later, Paul tells us why!  “And 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.” 1 Corinth. 7:35    Does that imply that when we are married, we are distracted from serving the Lord?!?!  Well, having been delightfully married twice, I can attest to having my attention divided between both the Lord and my sweethearts, my children and their requirements and needs.

We know that in the Beatitudes, Jesus gave us the most important perspective – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33  

When Martha and Mary had a disagreement, Jesus told Martha that Mary chose “that good part,” which emphasized devotion to Him over worldly concerns.  “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42.  And in vs 39 reminds us that Mary prioritized devotion to Him over worldly concerns?  And then later in that message, Jesus speaks of putting allegiance to Him above even family relationships!!!  “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.  And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:26-27   I prefer to translate “hate” as “love less”!

The Apostle Timothy recognized the importance of devotion to the Gospel message.  “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:4   Aren’t we soldiers of Christ, fighting for the Gospel message in this world?

In Psalm 16:8, Our Lord tells us how to live. “I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”   So, where is the LORD?   How are we to deal with distractions?!?!

Where should our focus be?  “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1-2   Why is the world trying to distract us?

Let’s look again at 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 which wraps around our excerpt from v. 32.  “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. There 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.  And 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 is not saying marriage is wrong; but rather, He explains that marriage naturally brings additional earthly responsibilities and concerns, while the unmarried person can have greater freedom to fully concentrate on serving the Lord.

Points to ponder

How might the reasons for being unmarried be important?

Who wants us to be distracted?   A – Satan!

How important is our focus on serving the LORD?

Caring for a spouse/family might distract from our ministry to the Lord,
but we were also told to “Be fruitful and multiply” in Genesis 1:22. 
We have a choice!

♫  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              September 8, 2026 
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”