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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-7.htm" title="1 Corinthians 7:7">◄</a> 1 Corinthians 7:8 <a href="/1_corinthians/7-9.htm" title="1 Corinthians 7:9">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows—it’s better to stay unmarried, just as I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now to the unmarried and widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now I say to the unmarried and to the widows, <i>it is</i> good for them if they should remain as even I.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_corinthians/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But I say to the unmarried and to the widows, [that as a practical matter] it is good if they remain [single and entirely devoted to the Lord] as I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I say to the unmarried and to widows: It is good for them if they remain as I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I say to the unmarried and to widows: It is good for them if they remain as I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_corinthians/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But I say to the unmarried and to widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_corinthians/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />My advice for the unmarried and for widows is that it is acceptable for them to remain single, just as I am. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_corinthians/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But I say to the unmarried and to widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I say to those who are not married, especially to widows: It is good for you to stay single like me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Now, to the unmarried and to the widows I say that it would be better for you to continue to live alone as I do. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_corinthians/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I say to those who are unmarried, especially to widows: It is good for them to remain like me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now to the unmarried and widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_corinthians/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />To the unmarried and widows I say that it is best for them to remain as I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they remain even as I.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But I tell the unmarried, and women who are widows, that it is well for them to remain as I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_corinthians/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And I say to the unmarried and to the widows: it is good for them if they may remain even as I [am];<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now I say to the unmarried and to the widows, <i>it is</i> good for them if they should remain as even I.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And I say to the unmarried and to the widows: it is good for them if they may remain even as I am;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And I say to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they remain also as I.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But I say to the unmarried, and to the widows: It is good for them if they so continue, even as I. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But I say to the unmarried and to widows: It is good for them, if they would remain as they are, just as I also am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now to the unmarried and to widows I say: it is a good thing for them to remain as they are, as I do,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain unmarried as I am.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />I say this to those who have no wives and to widows, It is better for them to be as I am;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But I say to those who do not have a wife and to widows, that it benefits them if they should remain as I am.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It would be good for them, if they remain as I myself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />But I speak to the unmarried and the widows, that it is good for them that they may remain even as I:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />I say then to the unmarried and the widows, that it is becoming them if they abide as I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/1_corinthians/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />As to the unmarried and widows, I say, it is best for them to continue so, as I do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />But I tell the unmarried, and women who are widows, that it is well for them to remain as I am.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Now I say to the unmarried and to the widows, it is good for them, if they remain even as I <i>am</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Now to the unmarried and widows I say, it is good for them to continue <i>so,</i> as I <i>do.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/7-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=1220" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Principles of Marriage</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">Now</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tois (Art-DMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">to the</a> <a href="/greek/22.htm" title="22: agamois (N-DMP) -- Unmarried, of a person not in a state of wedlock, whether he or she has formerly been married or not. Unmarried.">unmarried</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tais (Art-DFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5503.htm" title="5503: chērais (N-DFP) -- Feminine of a presumed derivative apparently from the base of chasma through the idea of deficiency; a widow, literally or figuratively.">widows</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: Legō (V-PIA-1S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">I say this:</a> <a href="/greek/2570.htm" title="2570: kalon (Adj-NNS) -- Properly, beautiful, but chiefly good, i.e. Valuable or virtuous.">It is good</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autois (PPro-DM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">for them</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/3306.htm" title="3306: meinōsin (V-ASA-3P) -- To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.">to remain unmarried,</a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">as</a> <a href="/greek/2504.htm" title="2504: kagō (PPro-N1S) -- To also, I too, but I. From kai and ego; so also the dative case kamoi, and accusative case kame and I, me.">I am.</a> </span> <span class="reftext">9</span>But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-10.htm">Matthew 19:10-12</a></span><br />His disciples said to Him, “If this is the case between a man and his wife, it is better not to marry.” / “Not everyone can accept this word,” He replied, “but only those to whom it has been given. / For there are eunuchs who were born that way; others were made that way by men; and still others live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-5.htm">1 Corinthians 9:5</a></span><br />Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-9.htm">1 Timothy 5:9-11</a></span><br />A widow should be enrolled if she is at least sixty years old, faithful to her husband, / and well known for good deeds such as bringing up children, entertaining strangers, washing the feet of the saints, imparting relief to the afflicted, and devoting herself to every good work. / But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/2-36.htm">Luke 2:36-37</a></span><br />There was also a prophetess named Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, who was well along in years. She had been married for seven years, / and then was a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/56-3.htm">Isaiah 56:3-5</a></span><br />Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, “The LORD will utterly exclude me from His people.” And let the eunuch not say, “I am but a dry tree.” / For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep My Sabbaths, who choose what pleases Me and hold fast to My covenant— / I will give them, in My house and within My walls, a memorial and a name better than that of sons and daughters. I will give them an everlasting name that will not be cut off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-32.htm">1 Corinthians 7:32-34</a></span><br />I want you to be free from concern. The unmarried man is concerned about the work of the Lord, how he can please the Lord. / But the married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife, / and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the work of the Lord, how she can be holy in both body and spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, how she can please her husband.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-3.htm">1 Timothy 4:3</a></span><br />They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-29.htm">Matthew 19:29</a></span><br />And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-26.htm">1 Corinthians 7:26-27</a></span><br />Because of the present crisis, I think it is good for a man to remain as he is. / Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you free of commitment? Do not look for a wife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-39.htm">1 Corinthians 7:39-40</a></span><br />A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord. / In my judgment, however, she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">1 Corinthians 7:1</a></span><br />Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good to abstain from sexual relations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-32.htm">1 Corinthians 7:32</a></span><br />I want you to be free from concern. The unmarried man is concerned about the work of the Lord, how he can please the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-35.htm">1 Corinthians 7:35</a></span><br />I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but in order to promote proper decorum and undivided devotion to the Lord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-17.htm">1 Corinthians 7:17</a></span><br />Regardless, each one should lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is what I prescribe in all the churches.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">1 Corinthians 7:20</a></span><br />Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/7-26.htm">1 Corinthians 7:26,27,32,34,35</a></b></br> I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, <i>I say</i>, that <i>it is</i> good for a man so to be… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/3-14.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">Good</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-5.htm">Single</a> <a href="/acts/21-9.htm">Unmarried</a> <a href="/acts/9-41.htm">Widows</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-2.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-26.htm">Good</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-11.htm">Single</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-11.htm">Unmarried</a> <a href="/1_timothy/5-3.htm">Widows</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-25.htm">Women</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">He discusses marriage;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-4.htm">showing it to be a remedy against sinful desires,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-10.htm">and that the bond thereof ought not lightly to be dissolved.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">Every man must be content with his vocation.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-25.htm">Virginity wherefore to be embraced;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-35.htm">and for what respects we may either marry, or abstain from marrying.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_corinthians/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now to the unmarried and widows I say this:</b><br>Paul addresses specific groups within the Corinthian church, namely the unmarried and widows. In the cultural context of the first century, widows often faced financial and social challenges. The unmarried, which may include those who have never married or those who are divorced, also had distinct social standings. Paul’s guidance is pastoral, aiming to provide practical advice for living a Christian life in a society that often marginalized these groups. The early church was a place where such individuals could find community and support, reflecting the inclusive nature of the gospel.<p><b>It is good for them to remain unmarried,</b><br>Paul suggests that remaining unmarried can be beneficial. This advice is given in light of the "present distress" mentioned later in the chapter, which may refer to persecution or other societal pressures. By remaining unmarried, individuals could potentially devote more time and energy to serving the Lord without the added responsibilities of a family. This echoes Jesus’ teaching in <a href="/matthew/19-12.htm">Matthew 19:12</a>, where He speaks of those who choose to live as eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The emphasis is on the freedom and focus that singleness can provide in serving God.<p><b>as I am.</b><br>Paul uses his own life as an example, indicating that he himself is unmarried. This personal testimony adds weight to his advice, as he speaks from experience. Paul’s singleness allowed him to travel extensively and establish churches throughout the Roman Empire, demonstrating the advantages of an undivided commitment to ministry. His life exemplifies the potential for single individuals to have a significant impact on the spread of the gospel. This also connects to the broader biblical theme of God using individuals in various life situations to fulfill His purposes, as seen in the lives of other unmarried figures like Jeremiah and John the Baptist.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth, providing guidance on matters of marriage and singleness.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_unmarried.htm">The Unmarried</a></b><br>Refers to those who are not currently married, which may include those who have never married or those who are divorced.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_widows.htm">The Widows</a></b><br>Women whose husbands have died, a group that Paul specifically addresses in this verse.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_church_in_corinth.htm">The Church in Corinth</a></b><br>The recipients of this letter, a diverse and often troubled congregation in a major Greek city known for its immorality and idolatry.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a></b><br>A significant city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth, commerce, and moral challenges, which influenced the issues faced by the church there.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_singleness.htm">The Value of Singleness</a></b><br>Paul emphasizes that singleness is a good and honorable state, allowing for undivided devotion to the Lord. This challenges cultural norms that often prioritize marriage as the ultimate goal.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/contentment_in_current_circumstances.htm">Contentment in Current Circumstances</a></b><br>Whether single or married, believers are called to find contentment in their current state, trusting in God's plan and provision.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/singleness_as_a_gift.htm">Singleness as a Gift</a></b><br>Singleness can be seen as a gift that allows for greater focus on ministry and service to others, free from the responsibilities and concerns of marriage.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_church.htm">The Role of the Church</a></b><br>The church community should support and honor both singles and widows, recognizing their contributions and providing for their needs.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/personal_reflection_and_calling.htm">Personal Reflection and Calling</a></b><br>Each believer should seek God's guidance in discerning their personal calling, whether to remain single or to pursue marriage, aligning their desires with God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_1_tim_5_14_advise_widows_to_remarry.htm">Why does 1 Timothy 5:14 instruct younger widows to remarry, seemingly contradicting Paul’s advice to remain single in other passages like 1 Corinthians 7:8? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_priests_practice_celibacy.htm">Why do priests practice celibacy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_remaining_unmarried_preferable.htm">Is remaining unmarried preferable?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'husband_of_one_wife'_mean.htm">What does "husband of one wife" mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_corinthians/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(8) <span class= "bld">I say therefore.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">Now what I say is,</span> . . . Widows are here joined with those who have not been married, otherwise discussion might have arisen as to whether the Apostle had intended his advice for them also. It has been curiously conjectured (by Luther amongst others), from the passage where St. Paul recommends widows to "abide even as I." that the Apostle was himself a widower. This, however, requires the word "unmarried" to be restricted to widowers, which is quite inadmissible; and even if such were admissible, the deduction from it that St. Paul was a widower could scarcely be considered logical. The almost universal tradition of the early Church was that St. Paul was never married, and unless we can imagine his having been married, and his wife dead before the stoning of St. Stephen which is scarcely possible (<a href="/acts/7-58.htm" title="And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul.">Acts 7:58</a>), the truth of that tradition is evident. (See <a href="/philippians/4-3.htm" title="And I entreat you also, true yoke fellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.">Philippians 4:3</a>.) "Even as I;" that is, unmarried.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> -<span class="cmt_word">To the unmarried;</span> including widowers. In my 'Life of St. Paul,' 1:75-82, I have given my reasons for believing that St. Paul was a widower. <span class="cmt_word">It is good for them.</span> It is an expedient, honourable, and morally "beautiful thing," but, as he so distinctly points out further on, there might be a "better" even to the "good." <span class="cmt_word">Even as I.</span> In the unmarried state, whether as one who had never married, or, as I infer from various circumstances, as a widower (so too Clemens of Alexandria, Grotius, Luther, Ewald, etc.); see my 'Life of St. Paul,' 1:169). Tertullian and Jerome (both of them biassed witnesses, and with no certain support of tradition) say that St. Paul was never married. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/7-8.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Now</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the</span><br /><span class="grk">τοῖς</span> <span class="translit">(tois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Dative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">unmarried</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀγάμοις</span> <span class="translit">(agamois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_22.htm">Strong's 22: </a> </span><span class="str2">Unmarried, of a person not in a state of wedlock, whether he or she has formerly been married or not. Unmarried.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">widows</span><br /><span class="grk">χήραις</span> <span class="translit">(chērais)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Dative Feminine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5503.htm">Strong's 5503: </a> </span><span class="str2">Feminine of a presumed derivative apparently from the base of chasma through the idea of deficiency; a widow, literally or figuratively.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I say [this]:</span><br /><span class="grk">Λέγω</span> <span class="translit">(Legō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">[It is] good</span><br /><span class="grk">καλὸν</span> <span class="translit">(kalon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2570.htm">Strong's 2570: </a> </span><span class="str2">Properly, beautiful, but chiefly good, i.e. Valuable or virtuous.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for them</span><br /><span class="grk">αὐτοῖς</span> <span class="translit">(autois)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to remain [unmarried],</span><br /><span class="grk">μείνωσιν</span> <span class="translit">(meinōsin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3306.htm">Strong's 3306: </a> </span><span class="str2">To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as</span><br /><span class="grk">ὡς</span> <span class="translit">(hōs)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> </span><span class="str2">Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I am.</span><br /><span class="grk">κἀγώ</span> <span class="translit">(kagō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2504.htm">Strong's 2504: </a> </span><span class="str2">To also, I too, but I. From kai and ego; so also the dative case kamoi, and accusative case kame and I, me.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/7-8.htm">1 Corinthians 7:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/7-8.htm">1 Corinthians 7:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/7-8.htm">1 Corinthians 7:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/7-8.htm">1 Corinthians 7:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/7-8.htm">1 Corinthians 7:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/7-8.htm">1 Corinthians 7:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/7-8.htm">1 Corinthians 7:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/7-8.htm">1 Corinthians 7:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/7-8.htm">1 Corinthians 7:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/7-8.htm">1 Corinthians 7:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_corinthians/7-8.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:8 But I say to the unmarried (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 7:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 7:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 7:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 7:9" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>