St. Paul on marriage and celibacy

Paul's advice in 1 Corinthians 7 about marriage and celibacy is hard to interpret, largely because he is responding to questions and we do not know the exact nature of each question.

He seems to be saying that sexual abstinence in a marriage can be a good thing if the practice is temporary and acceptable to both parties. He suggests that the single or widowed should remain unmarried unless they cannot control their passions.

He repeats Jesus' prohibition against divorce, but does seem to make an exception if an unbelieving spouse leaves a believer. He encourages virgins not to marry because of the present distress but does not clarify what the present distress is. Later he says that time is running out and the world is passing away. Perhaps he thinks the end time is near and that his audience should be focused not on the present but on what is to come.