1 Corinthians 7:7

Yet. would that all men were even as. myself. Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.

'all men were even as. myself' -'I would that every one lived as. do.' (Mon)

We should note, this statement is saying more than, "I wish that everyone were single". 'celibacy in its true sense-- not referring to singleness as such (after all, many who are "celibate" in this sense wish they were otherwise), but to that singular gift of freedom from the desire or need of sexual fulfillment that made it possible for him to live without marriage in the first place.' [Note:. Fee p. 284]

'Yet. would' -'I wish'. Here is Paul's personal preference.

Points to Note:

1. In view of God's original purpose in marriage (Genesis 2:18), some might wonder, why would Paul say such. thing. Part of Paul's wish must be in view of the circumstances that Christians were facing at the time. (1 Corinthians 7:28)

2. In no way can we view this as. slam on marriage. For the very same Paul penned such passages as Ephesians 5:22. And it was this very same writer who insisted that elders and deacons must be the husband of one wife.

3. We forget that Paul may be speaking from experience. From 1 Corinthians 9:5. we learn that Paul didn't have. wife who was. believer when he wrote this letter. But that doesn't mean that he had never been married..'Whether he had been married and was now. widower turns on the interpretation of Acts 26:10 "I cast my vote". If this is taken literally (the obvious way to take it) as. member of the Sanhedrin, Paul was married at that time.' (Robertson p. 125)

Vincent adds.. 'It is not certain, but most probable, that Saul was. member of the Sanhedrin (Acts 26:10). If so, he must have been married, as marriage was. condition of membership.' (p. 218) Of all the things that Paul sacrificed for Christ (1 Peter 3:7), Christianity may have also cost him. Jewish wife, that refused to convert, and subsequently left him.

'Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God' -'but. realize that everyone has his own particular gift from God.' (Phi)

What. sensible man Paul is! He realized that everyone wasn't cut out for the celibate life, and neither is everyone cut out for the married life. The ability to live the truly celibate life, is. special gift from God, and those that don't possess this ability, should marry (1 Corinthians 7:1-2). Again, we see compassion and wisdom in the Scriptures. Paul is telling Christians, 'don't try to live. life that you weren't cut out for. Realize your own limitations. Neither celibacy or marriage are dishonorable conditions. Simply choose the life that fits you best.'

'Not all men are exactly alike in their intensity drives. We are all different; none is better than the other; all originate from God. The Catholic practice of celibacy fails to take this into consideration.' (Willis p. 216)

Points to Note:

1. Christians shouldn't be intimidated or influenced by studies that define what the "national average" is for sexual frequency in marriage. Remember, your not married to any of the people being surveyed in those studies. You have. particular sexual drive and so does your spouse. And together you need to come to an agreement based on your own drives and what will work best in your marriage.

2. Word of Caution: Paul isn't saying that you can break out of the celibate life anytime you want to. The only non-sinful way out of celibacy is marriage (1 Corinthians 7:1-2). And. Christian can get themselves into. condition where marriage might not be possible. (1 Corinthians 7:10-11; Romans 7:1; Matthew 5:32)

So wisdom would tell us, 'If you realize that you aren't cut out for the celibate life, the last thing that you want to do, is JEOPARDIZE your scriptural right to be married!'