<p>7:26 <em>I think therefore that it is good by reason of the present distress that is upon us, that a man should remain as he is- </em>&quot;It is good by reason of the present distress&quot; uses the same word as in Lk. 21:23 concerning the distress of the last days. Some of us have no hesitation in proclaiming that the time of &quot;distress&quot; of Lk. 21 is upon us. But if it is, then we need to adjust our marriage attitudes accordingly. But the distress may not refer to Paul's sense that they were living in the last days and would soon face persecution. It could also refer to the distress of the particular situation in the Corinthian church, with brethren using some women in the church as prostitutes. The Greek for &quot;distress&quot; means necessity, and the same word is used in :37 about the man who feels no &quot;necessity&quot; to marry. The present necessity may therefore refer here as it does in :37 to the necessity felt for sexual relations and marriage. Paul would then be saying that despite the necessity that is felt by us all, it is better for a man to remain in the marital situation he is in. And it indeed could be that Paul has in view the expectation of persecution and the imminent return of the Lord.</p>