1 Corinthians 7:32

King James Version (KJV)

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:

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Without carefulness - Though all these things will shortly come to pass, yet do not be anxious about them. Every occurrence is under the direction and management of God. The wrath of man shall praise him, and the remainder of it he shall restrain, and none can harm you if ye be followers of that which is good. We should all take the advice of the poet: -

"With patient mind thy course of duty run;

God nothing does, nor suffers to be done,

But thou wouldst do thyself, couldst thou but see

The end of all events as well as He."

Byrom.

He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord - He has nothing to do with a family, and therefore can give his whole time to the service of his Maker, having him alone to please.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

But I would have you - I would advise you to such a course of life as should leave you without carefulness My advice is regulated by that wish, and that wish guides me in giving it.

Without carefulness - ( ἀμερίμνους amerimnous). Without anxiety, solicitude, care; without such a necessary attention to the things of this life as to take off your thoughts and affections from heavenly objects; see the notes on Matthew 6:25-31.

careth for the things that belong to the Lord - Margin, “The things of the Lord;” the things of religion. His attention is not distracted by the cares of this life; his time is not engrossed, and his affections alienated by an attendance on the concerns of a family, and especially by solicitude for them in times of trial and persecution. He can give his main attention to the things of religion. He is at leisure to give his chief thoughts and anxieties to the advancement of the Redeemer‘s kingdom. Paul‘s own example showed that this was the course which he preferred; and showed also that in some instances it was lawful and proper for a man to remain unmarried, and to give himself entirely to the work of the Lord. But the divine commandment Genesis 1:28, and the commendation everywhere bestowed upon marriage in the Scriptures, as well as the nature of the case, show that it was not designed that celibacy should be general.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Considering the distress of those times, the unmarried state was best. Notwithstanding, the apostle does not condemn marriage. How opposite are those to the apostle Paul who forbid many to marry, and entangle them with vows to remain single, whether they ought to do so or not! He exhorts all Christians to holy indifference toward the world. As to relations; they must not set their hearts on the comforts of the state. As to afflictions; they must not indulge the sorrow of the world: even in sorrow the heart may be joyful. As to worldly enjoyments; here is not their rest. As to worldly employment; those that prosper in trade, and increase in wealth, should hold their possessions as though they held them not. As to all worldly concerns; they must keep the world out of their hearts, that they may not abuse it when they have it in their hands. All worldly things are show; nothing solid. All will be quickly gone. Wise concern about worldly interests is a duty; but to be full of care, to have anxious and perplexing care, is a sin. By this maxim the apostle solves the case whether it were advisable to marry. That condition of life is best for every man, which is best for his soul, and keeps him most clear of the cares and snares of the world. Let us reflect on the advantages and snares of our own condition in life; that we may improve the one, and escape as far as possible all injury from the other. And whatever cares press upon the mind, let time still be kept for the things of the Lord.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

32. Without carefulness. Gr. amerimnoi, “free from anxious care” (cf. on Matt. 6:25). The context of this passage shows that the counsel here given has specific reference to times of crisis or emergency, such as the persecution that attended profession of faith in Christ in the Roman Empire in the 1st century. It is not desirable, in such times, that Christians should do anything to increase the trouble and anxiety they must inevitably face; therefore it may be better for them to deny themselves the privilege of marrying. The married man is likely to have more material responsibilities than a single man. However, this does not necessarily mean that he cannot give himself as fully to the Lord as may one who is single. Indeed, when both parties to a marriage are wholly consecrated to God, the result will be increased devotion to God.

Belong to the Lord. That is, things pertaining to religion, spiritual matters, as contrasted with the affairs pertaining to this earthly life. The “unmarried” is not burdened by family responsibilities. His time and energy are not consumed in providing for the material needs of a family, particularly in days of trial and persecution. He is at liberty to give his undivided attention to the things that are connected with the advancement of the kingdom of God. Paul personally preferred such a course. Thus it is right for a man, if he so desires, to remain unmarried and give himself to the work of the Lord. But Paul has already made clear (vs. 2-9) that for the great majority marriage is better (see on Matt. 19:10-12). Celibacy is not in itself a condition of greater purity or honor than marriage. That fact needs to be kept clearly in mind in order to protect against a fallacious conclusion that some have reached in their study of this 7th chapter. Paul, who in some passages in this chapter might seem to picture the unmarried state as more honorable, elsewhere extols the values and the virtues of marriage and the Christian home (see Eph. 5:21-32; cf. Heb. 13:4).

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Ellen G. White
Selected Messages Book 3, 66.4

Since twenty-one years ago, when I was deprived of my husband by death, I have not had the slightest idea of ever marrying again. Why? Not because God forbade it. No. But to stand alone was the best for me, that no one should suffer with me in carrying forward my work entrusted to me of God. And no one should have a right to influence me in any way in reference to my responsibility and my work in bearing my testimony of encouragement and reproof. 3SM 66.4

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Cross References

I would