1 Corinthians 10:12

1 Corinthians 10:12 says, Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  I believe Paul was warning against a feeling that we are strong enough to stand spiritually by our own abilities.  If we begin to feel that we don't need God's direction every day and are not satisfied with His provision for us, we set ourselves up for a fall.  We, as followers of Christ, must acknowledge that we can never stand without faith in God.  We can never feel that we have reached a point where we can stand on our faith in our own abilities.  Verse thirteen adds, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  Paul told those at Corinth that they had no temptation that was not common to everyone.  We may be tempted by the things of this world, but this is nothing new.  People have been tempted to rebel against God since the beginning.  Paul also gives the Christians at Corinth an assurance.  If they continued to trust God, He would never allow them to be tempted more than their faith could stand.  When temptation came, He would provide an escape for them.  We need to claim that promise today.  God is with us to deliver us from any temptation if we only put our faith in His guidance.  If we are attempting to stand by our own strength instead of faith in God, we will fail.  God provides the escape from temptation but we must trust in His leadership to escape the temptation.  We are helpless to save ourselves.  Verse fourteen continues, Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.  Paul said that when we were confronted with a temptation to allow any idol to come between God and us, we were to flee it.  There is no room for idols, whatever they might be, in the life of a Christian.  We cannot dabble in things that put anything else ahead of God, whether it be riches, the stars, or anything else.  We are to flee from allowing anything to become an idol in our lives.  Verse fifteen states, I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.   Paul said that as wise men, he encouraged them to judge what he said.  When people proclaim things about God today, we need to judge what they say based on what the Bible teaches.  Even when we do this, we must make sure that what is being taught is consistent with the whole teaching of the Bible and not just certain verses picked out of context. Verse sixteen adds, The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?  Paul was speaking of the observance of the Lord's Supper, in which the wine and bread were symbolic of the blood and body of Christ.  These things did not literally become the blood and body of Christ, as some teach, but are merely symbols.  Verse seventeen continues, For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.  Paul said the observance of the Lord's Supper was to unite believers, and not divide them.  Yet, even today the Lord's Supper can divide Christians.  Verse eighteen asks, Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?  I believe that Paul was saying that those who believed in the idols that meat was sacrificed to felt that the meat was transformed somehow by being sacrificed.  For them, it was more than just food to eat.  Verse nineteen adds, What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? Paul said he knew that the idols were nothing, and that things sacrificed to them was in no way any different physically, but that did not mean that they couldn't become a problem to our witness for Christ.  Verse twenty continues, But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.  Paul said anything sacrificed to idols was sacrificed to the devil and he didn't want Christians to partake of the devil.  There was a difference between buying and eating food sacrificed to idols and sitting down at the table by the altar and eating it.  Though neither were changed, the perception was very different.  We may know that certain actions are harmless today, but we must do nothing that could be seen as going against God's teachings.  In verse twenty-one Paul concludes, Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.  We cannot be God's people and continue to follow the ways of the world.  No matter what the situation may be, we must always put the will of God first so that we can be effective witnesses for Him.

1 Corinthians 10:1

1 Corinthians 10:1 says, Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;  Paul said that he didn't want the people to fail to understand that Christ was and is the only way to salvation.  The Jews looked to the Law of Moses to bring them into a right relationship with God, but Paul said that there was more to it than just trying to find justification through the Law.  We today may seek to find God through rituals, but even if we find physical satisfaction, we will not find spiritual happiness and security.  Only by putting our faith in Christ can we find the assurance of salvation.  Verse two adds, And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;  The people who followed Moses were delivered from bondage by passing through the Red Sea, and were protected by a sheltering cloud.  These were physical things that they could look back on as being spiritual gifts from God, but that was not what saved them.   We may view things today as being God's sign of our being right in our spiritual life, but if anything does not come through the gospel of Christ, it cannot save us.  Verse three continues, And did all eat the same spiritual meat;  Paul said that the people following Moses ate of the same spiritual meat.  They looked to Moses to keep them in a right relationship with God, but also to meet their physical needs.  Moses looked to God to provide for them, and gave God the glory.  We need to realize that God still meets our needs today, and always give Him the glory.  Verse four states, And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.  Paul was still speaking of the Israelites in the desert.  He said they all drank from the same spiritual Rock, and that Rock was Jesus.  We may divide the Bible into the Old and New Testament, but God is the same in both.  Jesus Christ did not die just for those who came after Him, but for all people of all time who put their faith in God.  God is not divided nor limited by time.  Paul said in the wilderness that Jesus was with the Israelites spiritually.  God was there to meet their physical needs, but more importantly to meet their spiritual needs.  They only had to have faith in God, as we do today.  Verse five adds, But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.  Paul reminded them that God was not pleased with all those who called themselves his people, because even after deliverance and being sustained in the wilderness, many had their faith overcome by their desire for more.  It would be a sad commentary for Christians today to know that God is not well pleased with us.  Verse six continues, Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Paul told the Christians at Corinth that they should learn from the example of the Israelites in the desert.  God had delivered and would sustain those Christians at Corinth, so the needed to remain obedient to His leadership.  We, as followers of Christ today, need to likewise learn from their example.  We are not to lust after evil things but rest secure in the provisions of God.  Verse seven says, Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.  Paul said not all those brought out of Egypt were faithful to God.  They accepted God's provisions, but then went away to play, or find pleasure in the things of this world.  Verse eight adds, Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.  Sexual temptation was very real in Corinth, with idols to fertility gods being worshipped there.  Paul reminded the Christians at Corinth that they were to avoid the temptation to join in such activity.  We today need to heed the same warning and not let any idol lead us away from God.  Verse nine continues, Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.  I believe that Paul was reminding them that they were to worship God alone through a sincere faith in Him.  Those who still looked to idols even as they professed to be God's people were struck down by serpents.  We today must truly follow God through faith if we are indeed His people.  Verse ten states, Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.  Many of the Israelites in the desert were not satisfied with God's provision for them, and they murmured against God.  Paul warned the Christians at Corinth, and all followers of Christ today, that we should be content with God's provisions in life, and not murmur or complain about God.  The Israelites had food, drink, and even shelter from the heat, but they were not satisfied.  If we today simply have our physical needs met by God, we should never murmur and complain because we don't have more.  Verse eleven adds, Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.  Paul said what happened in the desert was to be an example to Christians, and we should understand the admonition against sin.  This example will remain to the end of the world.  God will never be mocked or even murmured against without a penalty to be paid.  We must live being satisfied with what God blesses us with.

1 Corinthians 9:19

1 Corinthians 9:19 says, For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.  Paul continues to speak about his providing for himself as he preached, then expands it to other areas of his life.  He said materially he was free from all men.  He was indebted to no one in relationship to preaching, but he had made himself a servant to all so that he might reach even more people with the gospel.  Preachers today, whether having their needs totally met by the church or somewhat or totally meeting their own needs, must always feel free to preach the truth of the gospel.  If they become concerned about whether or not the message of the gospel and all that it implies for the life of believers will offend those who they are preaching to, especially if they are relying on them for their income, then they may be tempted to change what God teaches His followers.  Verse twenty adds, And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;  Some might claim that Paul said he was playing a part when he encountered different groups of people.  When he said to the Jew he became as a Jew, I think what he really meant was that he was meeting them on common ground.  He did not dismiss their faith but witnessed to them through their faith.  We do not need to go into the world pretending to be something we are not, but we do need to be able to meet people where they are at spiritually.  We cannot approach everyone the same way.  Paul said he did this so that he could gain, or reach with the gospel, those that were under the law of God as they understood it.  Verse twenty-one continues, To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.   Paul said he approached gentiles, those who did not acknowledge the law of God, differently than he did the Jews.  He again met them where they were at spiritually.  Verse twenty-two states, To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.  I believe Paul was saying that he did not come to those who were weak as someone who was superior to them, but as one who was no better than them.  To be all things to all people did not mean that Paul would enter into sinful actions in order to reach people for Christ, but that he would meet them where they were spiritually.  We cannot approach someone who has never heard the gospel the same way we do someone who has grown up hearing it but has not believed. Still, in either case we must reach out to them in such a way that the gospel touches their lives, so that they might be saved.  Verse twenty-three adds, And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Paul was not doing the things he did for his own glory or satisfaction, but for the sake of the gospel.  As followers of Christ today, we must do everything for the sake of spreading the gospel.  Verse twenty-four continues, Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.  Paul said in a race that everyone runs, but only one wins, but that we are still to run that we might win.  In earthly terms, all but one lose, but in heavenly terms, all who run the race for the glory of God win.  We cannot expect to be successful in our Christian witness if we never start to witness.  The fact that someone else seems to be more successful should not stop us from witnessing for Christ.  Verse twenty-five says, And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. Paul said that winning in worldly things only brought a corruptible crown, but that the things done for God brought an incorruptible one.  For this reason, we need to put God first in all that we do, not simply for a crown or reward, but because everything we do for God has an everlasting benefit.  Verse twenty-six adds, I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:  I believe Paul was saying that he had assurance in the things he did.  He was actively involved in spreading God's word, and not just shadow boxing on the sidelines.  Verse twenty-seven continues, But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.  Paul said that though he was free to do all things through Christ, he still kept himself under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  When he said that he might be castaway if he didn't, he did not mean that he would lose his salvation, but that he would lose his effectiveness as a witness for God. We cannot allow our witnessing to others to become more important than our own spiritual relationship with God. If we neglect our own spiritual growth, we will become ineffective in proclaiming the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9:13

1 Corinthians 9:13 says, Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?  Paul was referring again to God's provisions for those who ministered in the temple.  They lived from the things brought into the temple.  God will never leave His ministers to provide for themselves, but through the church will provide for them, if His people give as they should.  This does not mean that there are not to be bi-vocational preachers, but that it should be their choice.  There are smaller churches that cannot provide for all the needs of ministers, but there are larger churches that could help smaller ones if they chose to. Verse fourteen adds, Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. Paul said that God's plan was for those who preach the gospel to be free to live life free to preach without worrying about providing for material needs.  Verse fifteen continues, But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.  Paul said he didn't write these things so that he would not have to work.  He did not rely on his fellow Christians to provide for him, and said he would rather die than have people claim that he preached for the money.  This he said would void his work.  There are those today who preach the gospel who still choose to work, especially in smaller churches.  This does not mean that the church doesn't have a responsibility to do all they can to help the preacher materially.  Verse sixteen states, For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!  Paul said he was called to preach the gospel, and instead of glorying in preaching, he would suffer from not doing so. It was not a choice, but was his spiritual gift from God.  Anytime we fail to use our spiritual gifts, we should suffer the woe of disobedience, but when we do exercise them, we should not glorify ourselves.  Verse seventeen adds, For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.  Paul said if he were just preaching because he decided to or wanted to, his reward would be what he received materially from doing so.  He said that the spreading of the gospel was against his will, or was not something he just decided to do, but was a calling from God and his reward would be spiritual and everlasting.  We cannot decide that some would make a good preacher and push them in that direction.  There must be a call from God, and then all the glory must go to God.  If we begin to look at man-made qualifications more than a calling from God, then we need to reevaluate our thinking.  Verse eighteen continues, What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.  Paul said that his reward was preaching the gospel without charge so that he didn't abuse his power in the gospel.  If we begin to expect to get rich through the gospel of Christ, then we are misunderstanding the real riches and power of the gospel.  We are never promised that following Christ will make us materially rich, but instead that it will give us a cross, a dying to the things of this world, daily.

1 Corinthians 9:1

1 Corinthians 9:1 says, Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?  Paul here defends his apostleship.  There were those who were saying that since he had not physically walked with Christ that he wasn't truly an apostle.  Paul said he had indeed seen Jesus Christ in the only way that mattered and that was a spiritual encounter that changed his life. Verse two adds, If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.  Paul said that even if some questioned his apostleship, those that he had reached for Christ could not doubt his calling.  His meeting of Christ was spiritual instead of physical, but it was still just as real, evidenced by the change in his life.  We will never meet Jesus physically in this life, but we are no less saved than the disciples who walked and talked with Him.  We have power through the Holy Spirit that they did not truly experience until after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.  Verse three Paul continues, Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,  Paul did not run away from controversy in order to keep peace with those who would denounce his apostleship.  Verse states, Have we not power to eat and to drink?   Paul asked if he was not entitled to have his needs met by the church, by those believers he had led to a saving knowledge of Christ.  Those today who go and proclaim the message of Christ to the world should be able to do so freely without worry about meeting physical needs.  What more important calling is there?  Verse five adds, Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?  Paul asked if he should not have the same rights as other apostles, and that was to have a wife traveling with him and supported as well, as did other disciples, including Cephas, or Peter.  Verse six continues, Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?  Paul had been saying we, and here he names Barnabas as being included with Him.  Were they alone expected to work and support their own ministry?  Today, there are still people who feel that preachers should not be paid, that they should show their faith by relying on God alone.  These same people seldom feel that they should work for free to show their own reliance on God.  Even in the Old Testament, priests were provided for by the rest of the nation so they would be free to attend to the things of God.  Paul said Barnabas and he were just as worthy of such support as any apostle.  Verse seven, asks, Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?  Paul asked basically in what other profession were people expected to provide totally for themselves without any provisions from those they worked for.  Verse eight adds, Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?  Here, Paul backed up what he was saying with scripture.  We should always be able to support what we teach about God with the scriptures.  Verse nine continues, For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?  Even the ox was to be allowed to eat while it was working, but Paul said this teaching had an even greater meaning.  Verse ten says, Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.  Paul said that the teaching also applied to those who were proclaiming God's word.  They should not be cut off from having their material needs met.  If God cared for the oxen, how much more would He care for those spreading the gospel full time.  Verse eleven Paul adds, If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?  I believe that Paul was saying that since they had sown the gospel, the way to everlasting life among the people at Corinth, was having their physical needs met too much to ask.  Verse twelve continues, If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.  Here, Paul says that even though they had that right, they had not used it in order that the gospel might not be hindered.  The church today is still called to meet the needs of preachers and missionaries, and if they choose to provide for their own needs, it should be their choice.  We need to remember that God works through His people to accomplish His will.  Paul was not saying that apostles should become rich in material things as they proclaimed the gospel, but that they could expect their needs to be met by the church.

1 Corinthians 8:1

1 Corinthians 8:1 says, Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.  Eating food sacrificed to idols was a point of dispute for the Christians of Paul's day.  Some believed it okay to eat it, while others felt it was a sin.  Verse two adds, And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.  I believe that Paul was warning against believing that what a person thinks making them feel morally superior to those who disagreed with them.  If we begin to think we alone know the total truth about God, we become vain in our own knowledge and prove that we really know nothing.  We can know that the cross is the only way to salvation beyond a doubt, but we cannot claim to know everything about how everyone should relate to the things of this world.  Verse three continues, But if any man love God, the same is known of him.  Paul said that those that love God are known to God.  We do not need to judge the relationship between God and anyone else.  We can be certain that if they love God, which I believe means to be saved through grace by the gift of salvation on the cross, God will keep and instruct them.  Verse four states, As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.  This was another issue creating divisions in the church.  Some felt that since meat was sacrificed to idols it was somehow no longer fit for Christians to eat.  Paul simply reminded them that idols have no power, and certainly were not divine.  Our concern should be how we use the things God blesses us with instead of being concerned about anything sacrificed to an idol.  Verse five adds, For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)  Nothing has changed since Paul's day. There are many in the world today called gods.  Some countries even see their leaders as divine.  Still, not all false gods are represented by some idol.  Whenever anyone rejects Christ as their Savior and Lord, they are in effect making themselves their own god.  Verse six continues, But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.  Paul declared that the world may claim that there are many gods, but the Christian knows that there is but One God.  We speak of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but we do not worship three different Gods.  We live by and through the power of God.  Verse seven says, Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.  I believe Paul was saying that even if eating meat sacrificed to idols was not a sin of itself, for those who believed it was a sin, for them it was.  This does not mean that each person determines what sin is, but that in some areas that may not be clearly defined, some may feel that something is a sin that others who are more mature in faith do not.  Verse eight adds, But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.  I believe Paul was reminding the people at Corinth that the things of this world do not determine our acceptance by God.  Only faith in Christ does that.  Verse nine continues, But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.  This is a warning to those who are stronger in their faith, their liberty in Christ, to not allow this liberty to become a stumbling block.  We are not to lord over weaker followers but are to live so that we don't cause others to stumble in their service to God.  Verse ten states, For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;  I believe Paul is warning us to not do anything that could possibly be viewed as wrong by fellow believers and lead them to do something they feel is wrong.  Verse eleven adds, And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?  I don't believe Paul was saying that the weak brother would be lost, but that they would perish without growing in faith as they should.  Christ died for them, and we should live putting their welfare above our own.  Verse twelve continues, But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. We may have freedom in Christ, but if we cause another to waver in faith, we sin against Christ.  All our actions should bring glory to God.  Verse thirteen concludes, Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.  Paul said though he knew that there was nothing wrong in eating meat sacrificed to idols, if his eating it caused others to stumble, he would not eat it.  We must do nothing that causes a weaker Christian to stumble.

1 Corinthians 7:32

1 Corinthians 7:32 says, But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: Paul continues to warn people that they should not be careless about the things of this world.  Even if they are not to be a priority of how we live, they are non the less our responsibility to use carefully, not just to satisfy our own desires.  Whether single or married, we are not to allow the things of this world to become a priority in life.  If we are not careful, material possessions can begin to own us more than we own them.  If the majority of our time becomes devoted to maintaining our material possessions, we soon have no time for God.  Verse thirty-three adds, But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.  Paul said that the married man cares for material things so that he can please his wife.  A husband should care about meeting the needs of his wife, but if the desire to give her more and more becomes more important than following God's will, then that becomes a problem.  Verse thirty-four continues, There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.  Paul applies this teaching to the wife as well.  As with the husband wanting to please his wife, so does the wife wish to please her husband.  I believe that the key to both is remembering that Christ is to be the head of the marriage.  When we put God first, then all other things will fail in their correct place.  In verse thirty-five, Paul states, And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.  Paul said that he was not trying to make things confusing, but that he was attempting only to get them to understand that God's will always had to come first.  Verse thirty-six adds, But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. Paul applies his teachings to even a person's thoughts here.  There was the thought in that day that a woman needed a husband to provide for her material needs, and that if a young girl passed a certain age without being married, there could be something morally corrupt about her.  Since we as followers of Christ today do not have this same mindset, I believe we can best apply this idea to being married before any sexual activity takes place.  Verse thirty-seven continues, Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.  I believe this supports what I just started.  A person must determine even before temptation may come that they are going to remain pure of sexual sin, or any sin for that matter. Verse thirty-eight says, So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.  Again, we have to understand the world that Paul lived in where the father was free to arrange a marriage for his daughter.  Paul said even in those dangerous days that it was good to give a daughter in marriage but was better if he didn't.  Paul was still thinking of all the added responsibility that a wife had, I believe, and was not advocating that people should not get married. Verse thirty-nine adds, The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.  Paul then wrote concerning widows.  He said that death freed on from marriage vows.  Some religions today teach that two people are married for time everlasting, even beyond death, but God tells us that marriage is for this life only.  A widow was free to marry once more.  Verse forty continues, But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.  Paul then says she would be happier if she remained unmarried in his opinion.  We can safely say that marriage brings responsibilities that a single person does not have, and that parenthood brings even more responsibility.  Still, God ordained marriage and our responsibility is to assure that His will remains the priority in life.  We cannot let a desire to give more and more materially to a spouse or children come between us and spreading the gospel, in both word and deed.