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1 Corinthians 7

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.

Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.

I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.

Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;

And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;

And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.

Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.

So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.

The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

What does 1 Corinthians 7:40 mean?

Explanation

1 Corinthians 7:40 reflects Apostle Paul's advice regarding marriage and widowhood. In the context of this verse, Paul is addressing widows and the subject of remarriage.

The verse implies that a widow is blessed if she remains unmarried ("if she so abide") as Paul personally believes that it would lead to a happier life for her.

However, he is careful to point out that this is his personal judgment or opinion and not a command from the Lord.

By adding that he "thinks also that [he has] the Spirit of God,” Paul suggests that while his advice is based on his personal connection with the Holy Spirit, it is not a direct divine commandment.

This implies that the decision to remain single or to remarry is left to the individual's discretion.

Top Rated 1 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

1 Corinthians 7 is part of a letter written by Paul to the church in Corinth.

Corinth was a major Greek city and a hub of commerce known for its diversity and moral permissiveness.

The Corinthians had various questions about Christian life and ethics, especially regarding marriage, divorce, and sexual relations.

Paul’s response aimed to guide the early Christian community through these complex issues by applying gospel principles to everyday life.

During that time, widows were a particularly vulnerable group, and Paul's advice may have been given with a view to their well-being in a social and economic context where marrying again might have been seen as a necessity for survival.

Theological Insights

Some theologians view Paul’s advice about widowhood and marriage from a spiritual perspective, suggesting that remaining unmarried could give a person more opportunities to serve God without the distractions of marital responsibilities.

Others emphasize the freedom Christian individuals have to make personal decisions in areas where scripture does not dictate a specific command.

Within this context, Paul is providing a counsel grounded in his own observations and experiences, but not enforcing a rule.

There is also a recognition of the role of the Holy Spirit in Paul’s decision-making, which could suggest that godly insight is involved even when specific, direct scriptural mandates are not.

Practical Applications

The teachings in 1 Corinthians 7:40 can be applied to contemporary life by encouraging individuals to seek personal fulfillment in their relationship status, whether married or single.

The verse highlights the importance of personal discernment and the acknowledgment that contentment and fulfillment can be found outside of marriage.

It also implies that significant life decisions should be made while considering both personal judgment and spiritual guidance, without feeling pressured to conform to societal or cultural expectations about relationships.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 7:8 - "I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I."
1 Corinthians 7:28 - "But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned.

Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you."

1 Corinthians 7:34 - "There is difference also between a wife and a virgin.

The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband."

Language Study

In the original Greek, key terms of this verse enable a deeper understanding:

"Happier" (μακαριωτέρα, makariōtera): This is a comparative form of "blessed" or "happy," which implies a greater degree of blessedness compared to another state.
"Abide" (μείνῃ, meinei): A present active subjunctive form of "remain" or "stay," indicating continuing in a particular state or condition.
"Judgment" (γνόμην, gnomen): This word refers to an opinion or decision that one has reached after careful thought.
"Think" (δοκῶ, dokō): It conveys the sense of being of the opinion, believing, or supposing something to be true.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient cultures, including the Greco-Roman society in which the New Testament was written, the status and well-being of a widow were often cause for concern.

In some ancient myths, widowhood could be a time of tragedy and vulnerability.

Comparatively, in the Christian tradition, the teachings of Paul placed a higher value on the spiritual freedom of the individual, including widows, offering a perspective that wasn't commonly highlighted in other religious or cultural contexts of the time.

Scientific Perspectives

From a psychological standpoint, the decision to remain single or to remarry after losing a spouse can have significant emotional and mental health implications.

Research on well-being and happiness among widows and widowers might intersect with this verse in exploring how social support, personal development, and spiritual beliefs influence decisions about remarriage or singlehood.

commentaries

Commentators vary in their interpretation of 1 Corinthians 7:40.

Some, like John Calvin, view Paul's advice to widows as prudential, suggesting that he guides them based on what he deems beneficial for their spiritual growth.

Others, like the scholar Gordon D.

Fee, note that while Paul expresses his judgment, he also implicitly validates his counsel by claiming to have the Spirit of God, proposing that single-minded devotion to the Lord has inherent value.

Modern commentators often focus on Paul's respect for individual conscience and personal decision-making guided by one's relationship with God.

1 Corinthians 7

1 Corinthians 7

What does 1 Corinthians 7:40 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 1 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does 1 Corinthians 7:40 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 1 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?