1 Corinthians 7:8

8 I speak to those who are not married. I also speak to widows. It is good for you to stay single like me.

1 Corinthians 7:8 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 7:8

I say therefore to the unmarried and widows
Not by way of command, but advice: by the "unmarried" he means, either such men who never were in a married state, or else such who had been married, but their wives were dead; which latter sense seems more agreeable, since they are joined with "widows", who had lost their husbands:

it is good for them if they abide;
unmarried, and do not change their condition any more; not that it was sinful to marry again, for he allows of it in the next verse, in case they have not the gift of continence; and therefore "good" here, is not opposed to evil, only signifies that it would be better for them, more expedient and profitable for them; they would be more free from the cares of life, have less trouble, and be more at leisure to serve the Lord; and which he knew by experience, and therefore, proposes himself as an example:

even as I;
that is, as he was then; for at that time it seems certain that he had no wife; though whether he had had one, and she was now dead, or whether he had never been married, may be matter of dispute; the former seems most agreeable, since he proposes himself as an example to widowers and widows; and having known what a married and single state both were, was better able to give his judgment of both, and proper advice to such persons which must come with more force and strength, and a better grace, from such an one.

1 Corinthians 7:8 In-Context

6 I say those things to you as my advice, not as a command.

7 I wish all of you were like me. But you each have your own gift from God. One has this gift. Another has that.

8 I speak to those who are not married. I also speak to widows. It is good for you to stay single like me.

9 But if you can't control yourselves, you should get married. It is better to get married than to burn with sexual longing.

10 I give a command to those who are married. It is a direct command from the Lord, not from me. A wife must not leave her husband.