Which passage discusses the difference between a wife and a virgin and notes the unmarried woman's focus on the Lord?

Which passage discusses the difference between a wife and a virgin and notes the unmarried woman's focus on the Lord?

• A. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the world, how she may please her husband.
• B. Blessed is the man that hath a virtuous wife
• C. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin
• D. The married woman careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

Answer: (A)

This question centers on Paul’s contrast between singleness and marriage in 1 Corinthians 7:34. The key idea is that the unmarried woman focuses on the Lord and aims to be holy in body and spirit, while the married woman has responsibilities related to pleasing her husband and tending to worldly concerns. The best passage includes both parts of that contrast: it says the unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit, and it notes that she that is married careth for the world, how she may please her husband. That combination shows the difference between a wife and a virgin and explicitly ties the unmarried state to devotion to the Lord. Other options miss this complete contrast or the focus on the Lord. For example, one option speaks about a virtuous wife without addressing the unmarried’s focus; another simply states there is a difference without describing what that difference is; and another centers on the married woman’s worldly concerns without mentioning the unmarried woman’s devoted focus to God.

This question centers on Paul’s contrast between singleness and marriage in 1 Corinthians 7:34. The key idea is that the unmarried woman focuses on the Lord and aims to be holy in body and spirit, while the married woman has responsibilities related to pleasing her husband and tending to worldly concerns.

The best passage includes both parts of that contrast: it says the unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit, and it notes that she that is married careth for the world, how she may please her husband. That combination shows the difference between a wife and a virgin and explicitly ties the unmarried state to devotion to the Lord.

Other options miss this complete contrast or the focus on the Lord. For example, one option speaks about a virtuous wife without addressing the unmarried’s focus; another simply states there is a difference without describing what that difference is; and another centers on the married woman’s worldly concerns without mentioning the unmarried woman’s devoted focus to God.