The Bible Project Daily Podcast The Question of Marriage or Singleness. (1 Cor 7: 1-7)
Welcome to the Episode:
In today’s episode, we explore a question that’s as old as the Church itself: Should I get married—or stay single? It’s a question shaped by culture, personal longing, and spiritual calling. We turn to 1 Corinthians 7:1–7 to hear Paul’s wise, pastoral, and often surprising counsel on marriage, celibacy, sex, and the spiritual gift of each.
Whether you’re married, single, widowed, or unsure of what’s next—this conversation is for you. Let’s challenge cultural assumptions, reframe singleness as a calling, and re-centre marriage as a covenant of mutual love and responsibility.
Episode Notes
Key Themes:
- Challenging Cultural Assumptions: Our world links happiness with romance—but Scripture has a different vision for human flourishing.
- Marriage and Celibacy as Gifts: Paul affirms both marriage and singleness as God-given callings—not commands or defaults.
- Intimacy and Responsibility in Marriage: Marital intimacy is a mutual, sacred duty—not a bargaining chip or personal right.
- Celibacy Is Not Second-Class: Singleness is not a failure or waiting room for marriage—it can be a vocation of focused devotion to the Lord.
- Spiritual Discernment: The real question isn’t “Which is better?” but “What is God calling me to?”
Takeaways:
- You are not incomplete if you are single.
- You are not more spiritual because you are married.
- Sexual intimacy in marriage is a sacred, mutual obligation—not a tool for control.
- Singleness is not a delay of purpose—it can be the purpose.
- The key question: Do you have the gift?
Final Thought
In a world confused about identity, desire, and devotion, Paul’s pastoral insight cuts through the noise: God’s will for your life isn’t about your relationship status—it’s about your faithful response to His calling.
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