1 Corinthians 7:40
"But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment, and I think I also have the Spirit of God."
There have always been some who have questioned the canonization of the books which make up our Bible, with part of this questioning applying to some of Paul's epistles. While most would agree with the preponderance of his writings, there are a few passages which cause disagreement. Invariably, these come into play when Paul says he is writing something which is his opinion and not a direct command of the Lord.
This passage is one of those areas. While it deals with the authorization of remarriage following a spousal death, Paul's teaching is that it would be better if the person remained single rather than remarry. However, Paul admits this is his own judgment, but then appeals to also having the Spirit's touch upon his life.
If we are to accept Paul's teaching here as of God, then we must appeal to Spiritual inspiration. Whereas God left men to write most of the Bible in their own words, inspiration admits to the guiding hand of the Spirit in determining that the recorded word would be as God desired it to be. With that in mind, it is difficult to reject even those passages which seem to be opinion.
I for one have decided to trust that my God is big enough to have preserved his word just the way he wanted it. This allows me to trust every recorded word. I believe that God's Spirit was at work when the words were written, and his Spirit is still at work in our lives to cause us to trust his Bible.
The alternative is simply not a good one. If we are forced to pick and choose which words of the Bible were inspired and which ones were only of man, we'd constantly live in disagreement and confusion. By trusting in the Spirit's inspiration, we can rest in the truth of God's word and not lean on man's understanding.
LORD JESUS
Lord, I thank your inspiring presence, breathing your life into every word of the Bible you've given us. Amen.
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