17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

Paul continued his exhortation regarding married and unmarried life. You shouldn’t change one way or another just because you became a Believer. It seemed to be a problem in the early Church, and among Jews and Gentiles.

The bottom line is this: married people can minister best to marrieds. Unmarrieds can minister to unmarrieds. It’s Paul’s roundabout way of saying, “bloom where you’re planted.”

It’s part of a much larger question of contentment. Being contented with your spouse or being contented alone can resolve a lot of relationship issues. Not being contented in either situation is a recipe for frustration and temptation.

Are you contented in your relationship if you’re married? Are you contented being single? Going one step farther and asking “why not?” – if that’s the case – can be very revealing.