1 Corinthians 7:25-40 Lesson 322

1 Corinthians 7:25-40
Lesson 322

Read both the "King James Bible" and the "New Living Translation."

In this lesson:

Married versus single.

Study Tip:

"Write down what you learn.
Don't forget the things the Bible has to teach you!
Use a journal or notebook to keep track of the insights you pick up as you study."

C. S. Lewis (1898-1963)

The First Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Corinthians

The King James Bible

1 Corinthians 7:25-40
More on marriage

25 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.

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

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

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.

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

30 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;

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

32 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:

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

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.

35 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.

36 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.

37 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.

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

39 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.

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

Margin notes:

"Virgins." (7:25) - Unmarried men (Revelations 14:4) and women.

"I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment." (7:25) - Unlike verse 7:10 (lesson 321), where Paul cites "the Lord" as his source; here, Paul has no direct "command" from God on remaining single. He can, however give some well-formed advice based on his knowledge of the Lord.

"Present distress." (7:26) - "Current crisis." With the growing persecution of Christians, times were tough.

"It is good for a man so to be." (7:26) - "It's good to stay the way you are (married or single)."

"Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife?" (7:27) - "Are you married? Don't seek to be free (divorced). Are you free (single) from a wife?"

"In the flesh." (7:28) - Means "in life."

"They that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away." (7:31) - "Those that use this world should not grow to fond of it; for the present form of this world will pass away." The problems in this world, and everything in it, are like puffs of smoke. They will soon be gone. But we can live forever if we do "the will of God" (1 John 2:17).

"I would have you without carefulness." (7:32) - "I want you to be free of anxiety." Free yourself from worldly worries that keep you from the word of God (Mark 4:19).

"He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord." (7:32) - "Single men worry about the Lord's work." Single men have fewer distractions.

"But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world." (7:33) - "But married men worry about the things of the world." Because married people have responsibilities and must care for their family, they are more involved in the affairs of the world. They have more distractions.

"There is difference also between a wife and a virgin." (7:34) - "There is also a difference between a married and a single woman."

"I speak for your own profit." (7:35) - "I speak for your benefit."

"Not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely." (7:35) - "Not to restrain you, but so you can do what is proper."

"His virgin." (736) - "His fiancée."

"If she pass the flower of her age." (7:36) - "If she is of age."

"So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better." (7:38) - Paul leaves the question of being married or staying single up to each person. Being married is good, but the single person has more time to devote to God, and that has benefits, too.

"The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth." (7:39) - See
Romans 7:2.

"But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment." (7:40) - "But if she's happier she can stay single, in my judgment." Remember, God gave no commandment on whether to marry or stay single (7:25).

"I have the Spirit of God." (7:40) - Paul, like all believers, was given God's Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 4:8).

New Living Translation

1 Corinthians 7:25-40

25 Now regarding your question about the young women who are not yet married. I do not have a command from the Lord for them. But the Lord in his mercy has given me wisdom that can be trusted, and I will share it with you.

26 Because of the present crisis, I think it is best to remain as you are.

27 If you have a wife, do not seek to end the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not seek to get married.

28 But if you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it is not a sin. However, those who get married at this time will have troubles, and I am trying to spare you those problems.

29 But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage.

30 Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions.

31 Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.

32 I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord's work and thinking how to please him.

33 But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife.

34 His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband.

35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.

36 But if a man thinks that he's treating his fiancée improperly and will inevitably give in to his passion, let him marry her as he wishes. It is not a sin.

37 But if he has decided firmly not to marry and there is no urgency and he can control his passion, he does well not to marry.

38 So the person who marries his fiancée does well, and the person who doesn't marry does even better.

39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord.

40 But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God's Spirit when I say this.

This second Bible text from the "New Living Translation" (Tyndale House, Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois) is a paraphrase and not an accurate word for word translation of the Bible. However, it is a helpful tool when read with the "King James Version."

Today's Question:

1. Why tell us that "time is short?" (7:29)

Study the word of God each day. The Bible has much to teach us.

Answer: (Do you agree?)

1. Paul reminds us that our time on earth is short (James 4:14); I Peter 1:24) to infuse us with a sense of urgency (Romans 13:11-12). The world as we know it will pass away (7:31), and we have much work to do. We must secure our salvation and then the salvation of others.

Application thought for the day:

Even with the obligations of marriage and family, each Christian must devote time
and energy to the salvation of their soul and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ.

Thanks to the writings and commentary of John Wesley and Adam Clarke. Also, "The Layman's Bible Study Notebook" by Irving Jensen published by Harvest House Publishing, Irvine, California; the "Life Change Series" published by NavPress books, Colorado Springs, Colorado; the "Life Application Study Bible" published by Tyndale House Publishing, Carol Stream, Illinois; the "Quest Study Bible" published by The Zondervan Corporation, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "Robertson's New Testament Word Studies;" "The MacArthur Bible Commentary" by John MacArthur published by Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee; "Wisdom of the Bible" CD by Topics Entertainment, Inc., Renton, Washington for their inspiring pictures; "My utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., Uhrichsville, Ohio; The "Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge" by Reuben Archer Torrey; "Hope For Each Day" by Billy Graham published by J. Countryman, a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, Tennessee; "Easton's Bible Dictionary" by Matthew George Easton; "Unger's Bible Dictionary" by Merrill F. Unger, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; "Halley's Bible Handbook" by Henry H. Halley, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; "The Everyday Bible" published by World Wide Publications, Minneapolis, Minnesota; "The Living New Testament" published by Tyndale house; "The New Living Translation" published by Tyndale House; "The New Testament" translated from the Latin Vulgate, published by Guild Press, New York, New York; BibleGateway.com for all their wonderful links; and of course the "King James Bible." All were critical in putting these lessons together.
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