A consideration in view of the present distress in relation to marriage
25 Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26 I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife... 1 Corinthians 7:25-27 (ESV)
2. A consideration on general cares of this life in relation to eternity and marriage
28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. 29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods,31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. 1 Corinthians 7:28-31 (ESV)
18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ 20 And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ Luke 14:16-20 (ESV); Luke 17:26–27
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2 (ESV)
4. A consideration of bodily desires for marriage
36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. 37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. 1 Corinthians 7:36-37 (ESV)
his virgin daughter, . . . 1 Corinthians 7:36 (NASB95)
the virgin he is engaged to . . . 1 Corinthians 7:36 (NIV)
8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 1 Corinthians 7:6-9 (ESV)
5. A consideration of personal preference for marriage
38 So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better. 1 Corinthians 7:38 (ESV)
31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church . . . Ephesians 5:31-33 (ESV)
6. A consideration of death and remarriage
39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 7:39-40 (ESV)
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 (ESV)