There are two important observations to make about this confusing text.  First, Paul says this is his judgment, not the Lord’s.  Second, it is situational advice, not a long-standing recommendation.  We know this since he says, “because of the present crisis.  Let’s read the text before we get into it.

Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.  Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.  Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.  But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

What in the world does Paul mean?  Act is if you are unmarried?  Act is you are not happy?

For starters, let’s answer, what is “the present crisis” Paul is referring to?  We can’t know for certain, but we have some possibilities.

• The famine of the late 40’s and early 50 in the Roman Empire.  1 Corinthians was written just at the end of this famine around 53 to 57 AD.
• People were still recovering.  In AD 53-55, we see Paul taking up an offering to help the believers in Jerusalem (1 Cor 16) so at the very least, they were experiencing economic hardship. In 2 Cor 8-9, Paul is continuing his fundraising for them (AD 55-56) and in Rom 15, around 57 AD, he works on the delivery of that offering.
• Persecution was starting to intensify. There was pressure against Jews and building against Christians.  Emperor Claudius in AD 49 expelled the Jews from Rome because of conflict about “Chrestus” which was Christ.
• Gospel urgency was also a high priority of Paul.  Jesus had risen from the dead and there was a sense of urgency to get the word out.

The bottom line is that with the famine, the expulsion of Jews from Rome, growing persecution, and economic hardship.  It was a season of life where times were tough.  Major life changes would be tough as well.

In this, Paul says

From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

He is talking in hyperbolic language.  It doesn’t mean marriage should be abolished because he teaches on marriage (Eph 5 and 1 Cor 7).  It does not mean never be happy as he commands people to “be joyful” (Rom 12:12). It isn’t teaching act is if you are not married and go sleep around with others.

What Paul is using is hyperbolic language is to say, “This world is passing away.  Don’t cling to that which does not last eternally.”

He isn’t saying let go of everything.  What he is calling for is right relationship to the things that are temporary.  If you are happy, that’s great.  But hard times come.  If you’re said, that’s tough, but better times will come.  If you are married, that’s great, but marriage isn’t eternal.

This world is passing away.  We have things in the world like families, emotions, and possessions, but there’s also a greater reality and that is what is eternal.  Keep all things in perspective because the times are short. And in this case, surviving and getting through the present difficult season of the world meant it was best to not add more burdens.  Keep it simple and keep eternity in mind at all times.