…”the present form of this world is passing away.”  (v. 31)

We live in a world that is changing at a rate never before seen in the history of the world.  Culture and technology together propel us into new ways of thinking and acting on a daily basis.  We are constantly making adjustments to our lifestyle – and sometimes in radical ways. 

Therefore, we as a people should be better equipped to deal with Paul’s statement than many cultures have been.  Communication structures, cultural norms and mores, even global outlook – all these seem radically different than they were even a few years ago. 

Paul speaks to a people who seem to be going through some social crisis alongside their transformation into Christlikeness.  Depending on the translation of the word in v. 26 (impending or present), it sounds like they are either in, or preparing for widespread trouble. 

While it is possible that this is just preparation for trouble that could come for being followers of Jesus, Paul makes no reference (which he often does elsewhere) to suffering for the Gospel, or because the world is against Christ.  Therefore, it seems that this should be more of a socio-economic crisis than a spiritual crisis. 

Yet at the same time, he speaks of “the appointed time”, the kairos.  The kairos has grown short.  This could speak to the parousia as well.  The interpretation of this is key to the passage.

Whatever the case, the short kairos requires radical lifestyle change.  If we are running out of time, we are not to mess around.  If the present form of this world is passing away, then we should not invest time or energy into it.  Also, relative to v. 32, Paul wants us to be free from anxieties. 

Mourning and rejoicing took longer periods of time than we do in our culture.  It would make sense that if we are spending a lot of time mourning and rejoicing than we are to set that aside to do what God has called us to do. 

He’s asking the people to focus on the things of God, not on things that will cause anxiety while things are in turmoil.

Now for a translation that might help:

So I say this, brothers: the window of opportunity is closing – and quicker than before!  So from here on out, even those who have wives, should be as though they don’t have them, and those who are grieving as though they are not, and those who rejoice as though they are not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they posess nothing, and those who make use of the world as though they did not use it at all: for the world is in the middle of a scene change.

If we are in a scene change, we must get ready for the next scene.  That means everything changes.