The Unmarried and the Widowed

1 Corinthians 7

25 Now concerning 1 the betrothed, 2 x I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as y one who by the Lord's mercy is z trustworthy. 26 I think that in view of the present 3 distress a it is good for a person to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman 4 marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. 29 This is what I mean, brothers: b the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy c as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For d the present form of this world is passing away.

32 I want you to be e free from anxieties. f The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, g not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, 5 if his 6 passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry - it is no sin. 37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. 38 So then he who marries his betrothed h does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.

39 i A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only j in the Lord. 40 Yet k in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think l that I too have the Spirit of God.

  1. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:6
    Now as a concession, not a command, I say this.
  2. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 4:1
    Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.
    1 Timothy 1:13
    Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief.
    1 Timothy 1:16
    But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
  3. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 4:2
    Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.
  4. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:1
    Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.
    1 Corinthians 7:8
    To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am.
  5. Cross References
    Romans 13:11
    Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
  6. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 6:10
    As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
  7. Cross References
    Psalms 39:6
    Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!
    James 1:10
    And the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.
    1 Peter 1:24
    For "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls.
    1 Peter 4:7
    The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
    1 John 2:17
    And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
  8. Cross References
    Matthew 6:25
    Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
    Luke 10:41
    But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things.
  9. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:5
    She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
  10. Cross References
    Proverbs 22:25
    Lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
  11. Cross References
    Hebrews 13:4
    Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
  12. Cross References
    Romans 7:2
    For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.
  13. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 6:14
    Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
  14. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:6
    Now as a concession, not a command, I say this.
  15. Cross References
    Acts 15:28
    For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Next Book Next Book