Yes, Paul suggested it might be better to remain single, but primarily because of impending persecution, not as a universal command.
Paul's advice was shaped by the expectation that Christians would face intense persecution under the Roman Empire. Remaining single could spare believers the added anguish of seeing family members suffer or taken away. However, Paul was not anti-marriage and allowed marriage for those who needed it to avoid sexual temptation.
1 Corinthians 7:1 — Paul's statement 'It is good for a man not to touch a woman' begins the passage where he discusses marriage and singleness.
In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul addresses questions about marriage and singleness. He says, 'It is good for a man not to touch a woman' (1 Corinthians 7:1). He also instructs, 'Let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband' (1 Corinthians 7:2). This instruction is given to avoid sexual immorality, especially in a city like Corinth where temptation was rampant. He further states that it's better to marry than to burn with passion (1 Corinthians 7:9). The Bible does not depict marriage as wrong but affirms it as God's design from the beginning. The preference for singleness is presented as pragmatic, not a rejection of marriage.
Les explains that Paul's suggestion to remain single was closely tied to the expectation of 'intense persecution' that the Roman Empire would bring upon Christianity. In such times, being single could spare a person the emotional trauma of seeing a spouse or children taken away or killed. Les emphasizes that Paul was not anti-marriage; rather, he was pointing out that singleness could be more practical during times of persecution. Les also notes that Paul likely had been married, given his position in the Sanhedrin, but was alone by the time of his ministry.
Les teaches that Paul's advice was rooted in the coming persecution. In [Clip 5], Les says that Paul was 'trying to probably prepare them for the time when they would have to literally die for their faith.' The expectation of persecution meant that marriage could bring additional heartache, as family members could be taken or killed. Singleness allowed believers to face death without leaving behind a spouse or children in distress.
No, Les emphasizes that Paul was not anti-marriage. In [Clip 2], Les says, 'He is not anti-marriage.' In fact, Paul encouraged marriage to avoid sexual temptation. In [Clip 3], Les explains that Paul's instruction 'Let every man have his own wife' was to prevent promiscuity, especially in Corinth where there were many prostitutes.
Les speculates that Paul was once married and had children, based on his position as a member of the Sanhedrin, which required being a husband and father (Clip 7). However, he notes that Scripture is silent on what happened to Paul's family, and he may have left them after his conversion (Clip 0). This personal context may have influenced his advice, but Les is clear this is his own opinion.
Paul's Marital History
Les speculates that Paul was once married but his family may have abandoned him after his conversion.
Paul's Marital History
Les discusses the question of whether Paul was ever married, noting Scripture is silent.
Not Anti-Marriage
Les clarifies that Paul is not anti-marriage; he supports marriage as God's design.
Marriage to Avoid Temptation
Les says Paul encouraged marriage to avoid sexual temptation, especially in Corinth's immoral environment.
Your Body Is the Temple of the Holy Spirit — 1 Corinthians 6:19
Well here we are, the apostle Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, is writing to a congregation in the wicked city of Corinth, who have come out of abject, immoral, idolatrous background, and they're all hung up on this marriage relationship that now is Biblical compared to what it was in paganism.
Persecution Context
Les explains that Paul's advice to remain single was to prepare believers for intense persecution, where they might face martyrdom.
What 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Really Says About Who Goes to Heaven
Our young people no longer understand these Biblical promises of marriage and sex and kids and all the rest. It's completely unknown to them, and so consequently they can enter into this marriage relationship with no commitment, with no moral foundation, no anchor, and no wonder we're in trouble. But you see the Biblical concept has never changed from the Garden of Eden to this day tonight.
Sanhedrin Qualifications
Les infers Paul was married because Sanhedrin members had to be husbands and fathers.
1 Corinthians 7:1: Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
This is the verse Paul opens with, which Les explains is about practical concerns, not a rejection of marriage.
1 Corinthians 7:2: Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
Paul instructs marriage as a remedy for sexual temptation, showing he did not forbid it.
No, Paul did not forbid marriage. In 1 Corinthians 7, he actually instructs that each man should have his own wife to avoid sexual immorality. Les Feldick emphasizes that Paul was not anti-marriage; rather, he considered singleness more practical during times of persecution.
Paul preferred singleness because he expected that Christians would face severe persecution under the Roman Empire. Being single could spare a person the added pain of seeing a spouse or children suffer. This is a temporary, situational preference, not a universal command.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About Marriage — 1 Corinthians 7 Explained