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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 7:30 mean?

Explanation

1 Corinthians 7:30 is a verse in a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth. In this segment of the letter, Paul is offering advice on how Christians should posture their lives in light of the impending troubles of the time and the anticipation of the Second Coming of Christ.

The verse suggests that believers should maintain a certain detachment from various human conditions and possessions. Essentially, this reflects the idea that earthly circumstances, whether they are joyful or sorrowful, are transient and should not consume the believer's identity or focus.

Top Rated 1 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

The First Epistle to the Corinthians was written approximately in 53–54 AD.

Corinth was a cosmopolitan city with a variety of religions, philosophies, and cultures.

Paul’s letters to the Corinthians addressed numerous issues that the young church was facing, including division, immorality, and questions about Christian doctrine and practice.

This verse is part of a larger section where Paul discusses marriage and singleness, and he seems to be emphasizing a sort of spiritual urgency due to “the present distress” he mentions earlier in the chapter, likely referring to persecutions or an anticipation of eschatological events.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives have emerged regarding 1 Corinthians 7:30.

Preterist View: Some believe that Paul's counsel was intended for a specific, temporary situation, given the imminent difficulties facing the church.
Dispensationalist View: Others see this verse as part of a dispensational framework, in which the counsel provided was fitting for that particular period but may not apply universally.
Eschatological Perspective: Here, the verse is read with an understanding that the end times imbued the early Christians with a sense of living in a provisional world, awaiting Christ’s return.

Practical Applications

The teachings of 1 Corinthians 7:30 can be applied in daily life by encouraging Christians to live with a sense of moderation and detachment with respect to worldly concerns.

Believers might find strength in the transient nature of worldly experiences, focusing instead on eternal values and their relationship with God.

This attitude can lead to better emotional resilience and balance in facing life's ups and downs.

Cross-References

Philippians 4:11-13: “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
Matthew 6:19-21: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, ...

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, ...

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

James 4:14: “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”

Language Study

In the original Greek, words like "weep" (κλαίοντες, klaiontes) and "rejoice" (χαίροντες, chairontes) emphasize actions that are ongoing.

The phrases "as though they wept not" and "as though they rejoiced not" use the Greek word "μὴ" (me) as a negation, influencing the verb to suggest an attitude in contrast to the action.

"Possessed not" (μὴ κατέχοντες, me katechontes) implies a sense of not holding on tightly to material goods.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In Stoicism, a prominent philosophy in ancient times, there was an emphasis on maintaining a detachment from strong emotions, similar to the detachment Paul seems to advise.

However, Paul's motive is rooted not in self-sufficiency but in devotion to Christ and anticipation of His Kingdom. In Buddhism, there is also a teaching of non-attachment to the world, which mirrors Paul's advice, though arising from a different worldview and ultimate goal.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific studies on happiness and well-being often suggest that detachment from materialism and emotional stability contributes to overall happiness.

This concept correlates with Paul's advice, indicating that a lessened emphasis on temporary states or material possessions can lead to a more fulfilling life, a view that resonates with certain psychological understandings of well-being.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have provided various interpretations of this verse.

John Calvin: He suggested that Paul is teaching Christians to use the world without abusing it, keeping their desires in check.
Charles Ellicott: Ellicott's commentary notes that Christians should hold the things of this world with a loose hand, ready to give them up when necessary.
William Barclay: He saw this verse as depicting the Christian's detachment from circumstances; they are in the world but not of the world.

1 Corinthians 7

1 Corinthians 7

What does 1 Corinthians 7:30 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 7:30 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?