Does Paul prefer Christians remain single, despite the rest of the Bible's positive portrayal of marriage? In this episode of What in the Word?, Kirk E. Miller sits down with Dr. Danielle Trewick to walk through numerous difficulties in 1 Corinthians 7.

For instance, does Paul teach that some receive a special Spirit-empowerment to remain single? What is the "present distress"? And what does it mean for married couples to live as though they are not? Trewick seeks to uncover our expose common assumptions about the text to uncover Paul's vision for whole-hearted, Christian devotion, whether single or married.

Get a free Mobile Ed course when you start a free trial: https://www.logos.com/show/what-in-the-word?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Learn more about the episode:

https://www.logos.com/grow/witw-paul-singleness​-1-corinthians-7?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=show-witw

Outline:

(00:00) Why 1 Corinthians 7

(00:55) Meet Dani Treweek

(04:13) Her Singleness Research

(06:59) Reading Paul’s Words

(07:41) Context and Categories

(11:37) Why It’s Difficult

(17:05) Paul’s Preference Explained

(21:13) Rethinking the Gift

(29:49) Better to Marry

(35:48) Present Distress

(41:52) As If Not Married

(46:45) Preaching Pastoral Wisdom

(50:48) Marriage and Singleness Pair