Kyle Kauffman

We live in a world that can simultaneously make too much or too little of marriage. On the one hand we can see marriage as the supreme goal in life. We can think everyone should aspire to be married and that there is nothing greater than marriage. We either intentionally or unintentionally make marriage the most important thing in this life and by doing so leave those who are unmarried feeling insignificant or like second-class citizens. On the other hand, we can see marriage as unimportant or as a threat to our freedom and joy in this life. Our culture can so easily view marriage as “just a piece of paper.” Paul does neither of these things. He sees both marriage and singleness as being good gifts by God. He sees both being intentionally given by God according to God’s calling in our life. And he sees both providing opportunities to reflect and enjoy God in unique ways. In the end Paul shows us that marriage, and singleness, and every other calling in this life are ultimately means to carry out the supreme goal in this life: living to enjoy and glorify God above all else.

1 Corinthians 7:1-9, 17-38