The Apostle Paul is seen by many as having a dismal view of marriage. He is even suspected by some as having had an unhappy marriage himself which sadly colored his regard for matrimony itself. A few wonder if his references to his "thorn in his flesh" is his personal description of his nagging wife.

But, in all fairness, let us put his comments about marriage and families into historic context before we draw any conclusions or make any deductions about the apostle himself.

Christians were expecting the imminent return of the Lord Jesus. They really were, and it was very real! Every morning could well be the last day of waiting. Every night could be the eve of the Christ’s appearance. This whole atmosphere of expectancy pervaded their daily lives. They went about their day-by-day affairs …