The fourth thing we can say in regard to singleness being advantageous is that singles are free from concerns that go with marriage. In v. 32, Paul simply reiterates his concern. "but I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about he things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord." In one sense, those who are married have greater and/or more concerns than those who are single. They are not able, nor are thy permitted by the Lord, to fail in their responsibilities toward their spouses. Those who are married please the Lord by being good spouses. They seek the Lord in that regard. Yet, in another sense, one who is single may have a singular devotion to the Lord that a married person may not have. Paul, without affirming an ascetic position, nevertheless, desires that persons be free to maintain singular devotion to the Lord without the encumbrances that naturally and providentially come by way of marriage.

In v. 33, Paul simply states what is implied in v. 32. "But one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife." Paul here does not imply that a man who is concerned as to how he may please his wife is in sin. In other places he is admonished to be concerned of such. The phrase "things of the world" in this context does not refer to that which is sinful. It refers to those things which pertain to this life. They are wholesome and good. Yet, they are passing away. Paul's point is that husbands must be concerned about how to please their wives. Only those who are single can be free of those commands and indeed encumbrances.

The fifth thing we can say in regard to singleness being advantageous is that singles are not undivided in their interests and commitment. By way of summary, Those who are married are committed to the Lord, and rightly so. Those who are married are committed to their spouses, and rightly so. Those who are single are committed to the Lord only, and rightly so. In v. 34, Paul explains his point. "And his interests are divided. And the woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband."

First, he explains that the husband has divided interests in that part of his godly focus is upon his wife. He is not free to spend indiscriminate time in the service of the Lord outside of the context of his family.

Second, Paul makes the same point in regard to women and repeats the same language he used of the husband.

Third, here we also see a distinction between the unmarried and the virgin (never married, it goes without saying, never involved in sexual relations).

Fourth, one phrase is added, "that she may be holy both in body and spirit." Paul does not mean that one who is married and therefore has sexual relations is somehow less pure than the virgin or the unmarried. The word holy literally means set apart. It can refer to that which is dedicated to the Lord, that which is set apart by the Lord, the righteousness that comes from the Lord, etc. Context determines the exact usage of the word. In this context, we may translate, "that she may be devoted singularly to the Lord without the encumbrances of marriage. She may give her body and spirit to the Lord in an undivided sense. If she is married, she must also give her body and spirit to her husband."