The church is living in the last days, the days between Christ’s ascension and second coming. This is an appointed time
(or a season
) that has grown very short.
(The verb that is used here has the meaning of “being shortened.”)
The apostles did not necessarily expect Christ’s second coming to occur in their lifetime. But they urged the church to be ready at all times, knowing that God will not delay (see further Mark 13:21–36; 2 Peter 3:1–13). At the same time, they expected God’s judgment over Jerusalem to come soon, an event that would have consequences for the church and the world (see Mark 13:1–20). The temple was indeed destroyed in AD 70.
When Paul instructs those who have wives to live as though they have none,
he is certainly not telling married people to abstain from sexual relations. This would contradict his earlier instructions (see 1 Corinthians 1:1 – 16:5). Rather, Paul is emphasizing the temporary nature of marriage (see 1 Corinthians 7:31).
29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none,