Talking with a friend he asked a question that brought to mind this recent question from a caller into the Dennis Prager Show on marriage. And honestly, when single men and women use this verse to defend their “single-hood” they do so without sound hermeneutics.[icon name=”bookmark” class=””] In other words, if the Apostle Paul was working from the idea that they [the Apostles] were expecting the Second Coming VERY soon (as the Bible hints at in many places), would the Apostle Paul have wanted the same idea/ideal expressed for almost 2,000 years?
Again, take note that when Paul wrote the following in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9…
♥ I say to the unmarried and to widows: It is good for them if they remain as I am. But if they do not have self-control, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with desire. (HCSB)
♥ I do, though, tell the unmarried and widows that singleness might well be the best thing for them, as it has been for me. But if they can’t manage their desires and emotions, they should by all means go ahead and get married. The difficulties of marriage are preferable by far to a sexually tortured life as a single. (The Message)
…he was writing from the view that Christ’s 2nd Coming was eminent. In other words, being single for a couple of years longer and helping the church get ready for the Groom’s return outweighed merely marrying for marriages sake.
Now remember, I am not saying “get married right away.” Some relationships cause much hurt and strife, and this may take time to work through. However, know that “He [God] has made everything appropriate [beautiful] in its time” (Ecc 3:11, HCSB). Be open to healing old wounds, to sharing your space with another ego/person, and not hiding behind such implied meanings to text — context.
This is the ideal God wants for His people…
Relationship
[icon name=”bookmark” class=””] Hermeneutics – (interpretation) Branch of theology dealing with the principles governing Biblical interpretation. It is concerned with various types of interpretation, as allegorical and literal, multiple meanings and senses, genres (historical narrative, law, parables, poetry), and the like.
Exegesis – (explanation) Critical exposition or explanation of the meaning of a scriptural passage in the context of the whole Bible. The reader of Scripture studies the word meanings and grammar of the text to discern what… was communicated, drawing the meaning out of the text rather than reading what he wants into the text (eisegesis).
Eisegesis – is the process of interpreting a text or portion of text in such a way that it introduces one’s own presuppositions, agendas, and/or biases into and onto the text.