Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better. New Living Translation So the person who marries his fiancée does well, and the person who doesn’t marry does even better. English Standard Version So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better. Berean Standard Bible So then, he who marries the virgin does well, but he who does not marry her does even better. Berean Literal Bible So then also, the one marrying the own virgin does well, and the one not marrying will do better. King James Bible So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better. New King James Version So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better. New American Standard Bible So then, both the one who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and the one who does not give her in marriage will do better. NASB 1995 So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better. NASB 1977 So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better. Legacy Standard Bible So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better. Amplified Bible So then both the father who gives his virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better. Christian Standard Bible So, then, he who marries his fiancee does well, but he who does not marry will do better. Holman Christian Standard Bible So then he who marries his virgin does well, but he who does not marry will do better. American Standard Version So then both he that giveth his own virgin daughter in marriage doeth well; and he that giveth her not in marriage shall do better. Contemporary English Version It is perfectly all right to marry, but it is better not to get married at all. English Revised Version So then both he that giveth his own virgin daughter in marriage doeth well; and he that giveth her not in marriage shall do better. GOD'S WORD® Translation So it's fine for a father to give his daughter in marriage, but the father who doesn't give his daughter in marriage does even better. Good News Translation So the man who marries does well, but the one who doesn't marry does even better. International Standard Version So then the man who marries the virgin acts appropriately, but the man who refrains from marriage does even better. NET Bible So then, the one who marries his own virgin does well, but the one who does not, does better. New Heart English Bible So then both he who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage does better. Webster's Bible Translation So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better. Weymouth New Testament So that he who gives his daughter in marriage does well, and yet he who does not give her in marriage will do better. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo then, he who marries her does well, but he who does not marry her does even better. World English Bible So then both he who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and he who doesn’t give her in marriage does better. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionso that both he who is giving in marriage does well, and he who is not giving in marriage does better. Berean Literal Bible So then also, the one marrying the own virgin does well, and the one not marrying will do better. Young's Literal Translation so that both he who is giving in marriage doth well, and he who is not giving in marriage doth better. Smith's Literal Translation So that he marrying does well; and he not marrying does better. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleTherefore, both he that giveth his virgin in marriage, doth well; and he that giveth her not, doth better. Catholic Public Domain Version And so, he who joins with his virgin in matrimony does well, and he who does not join with her does better. New American Bible So then, the one who marries his virgin does well; the one who does not marry her will do better. New Revised Standard Version So then, he who marries his fiancÉe does well; and he who refrains from marriage will do better. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo then he who gives his virgin daughter in marriage does well; and he who does not give his virgin daughter in marriage does even better. Aramaic Bible in Plain English And he therefore who gives his virgin does well, and he whoever does not give his virgin girl does all the better. NT Translations Anderson New TestamentSo then, even he that gives her in marriage, does well; but he that gives her not in marriage, does better. Godbey New Testament So indeed he that marries his own virgin does well; and he that marries her not will do better. Haweis New Testament Wherefore though he who giveth in marriage doeth well, yet he who avoids a matrimonial connection, doeth better. Mace New Testament so that he who marries, does well; but he who lives single, may have less trouble. Weymouth New Testament So that he who gives his daughter in marriage does well, and yet he who does not give her in marriage will do better. Worrell New Testament So that both he that gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well; and he that gives her not in marriage will do better. Worsley New Testament So that he, who giveth her in marriage, doth well; but he, that giveth her not in marriage, doth better. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Unmarried and Widowed…37But the man who is firmly established in his heart and under no constraint, with control over his will and resolve in his heart not to marry the virgin, he will do well. 38So then, he who marries the virgin does well, but he who does not marry her does even better. 39A 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.… Cross References Matthew 19:10-12 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.” Genesis 2:18 The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.” Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. 1 Corinthians 7:9 But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 1 Corinthians 7:32-34 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. 1 Timothy 5:14 So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander. Genesis 1:28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.” Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. Ephesians 5:31-33 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” / This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church. / Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. 1 Corinthians 7:2 But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 1 Corinthians 7:7 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. 1 Corinthians 7:25-26 Now about virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. / Because of the present crisis, I think it is good for a man to remain as he is. 1 Corinthians 7:36-37 However, if someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his betrothed, and if she is beyond her youth and they ought to marry, let him do as he wishes; he is not sinning; they should get married. / But the man who is firmly established in his heart and under no constraint, with control over his will and resolve in his heart not to marry the virgin, he will do well. Matthew 19:4-6 Jesus answered, “Have you not read that from the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ / and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? / So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Genesis 24:58-60 They called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?” “I will go,” she replied. / So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. / And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.” Treasury of Scripture So then he that gives her in marriage does well; but he that gives her not in marriage does better. then. 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. doeth well. 1 Corinthians 7:2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. doeth better. 1 Corinthians 7:1,8,26,32-34,37 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman… Jump to Previous Betrothed Better Daughter Gets Gives Keeps Marriage Married Marries Marry Refrains Right Unmarried VirginJump to Next Betrothed Better Daughter Gets Gives Keeps Marriage Married Marries Marry Refrains Right Unmarried Virgin1 Corinthians 7 1. He discusses marriage;4. showing it to be a remedy against sinful desires, 10. and that the bond thereof ought not lightly to be dissolved. 20. Every man must be content with his vocation. 25. Virginity wherefore to be embraced; 35. and for what respects we may either marry, or abstain from marrying. So then, he who marries the virgin does well In the context of 1 Corinthians 7, Paul addresses issues of marriage and singleness. The phrase "he who marries the virgin does well" reflects the cultural and historical context of first-century Corinth, where marriage was a societal norm and often seen as a duty. The term "virgin" here refers to an unmarried woman, highlighting the cultural emphasis on purity before marriage. Biblically, marriage is honored (Hebrews 13:4), and Paul acknowledges that marrying is a good and honorable choice. This aligns with Genesis 2:24, where marriage is instituted by God. but he who does not marry her does even better Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth with guidance on marriage and singleness. 2. The Church in Corinth A diverse and often troubled early Christian community dealing with issues of morality, spiritual gifts, and church order. 3. The Virgin Refers to an unmarried woman, often highlighting the cultural and religious expectations of purity and marriage in the early Christian context. Teaching Points Understanding Contextual AdvicePaul’s advice is specific to the Corinthian context, where persecution and distress were prevalent. His counsel is not a universal command but a situational recommendation. The Gift of Singleness Singleness is presented as a gift that allows for undivided attention to the Lord’s work. It should be embraced by those who feel called to it. Marriage as a Good Choice While singleness is praised, marriage is also affirmed as a good and honorable choice. Both states are valid and can be lived out in faithfulness to God. Prioritizing Devotion to God Whether married or single, the primary focus should be on serving God wholeheartedly. Our relationship status should not hinder our spiritual growth or service. Cultural and Personal Considerations Decisions about marriage should consider personal calling, cultural context, and the current circumstances of life, always seeking God’s guidance. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 7What does 'Better to marry than to burn' mean? Does 1 Corinthians 7:9 oversimplify human relationships by advocating marriage primarily to avoid sexual immorality? How does 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 reconcile with other biblical passages that permit divorce only for adultery? Is remaining unmarried preferable?(38) So then . . .--Better, So then he that gives his daughter in marriage does well, and (not "but") he that giveth her not shall do better. It is worth noticing how, in the case of the one who gives his daughter in marriage, we have the present tense "does well"--as if the good he did began and ended there; and, in the other case, the future "shall do" (in 1Corinthians 7:37 also)--the good result of his action continuing while the girl remains with her parent. This passage clearly shows how St. Paul has not been contrasting right and wrong: but comparative degrees of what is expedient. All throughout this passage the Apostle takes for granted the absolute control of the parent over the child, in accordance with the principles of both Greek and Jewish jurisprudence. Hence, no advice is given to the young maiden herself, but only to her father. Verse 38. - Doeth well. Because" marriage is honourable in all." Doeth better. Obviously not morally, because, if one course be morally better than another, we are bound to take it; but "better" with reference to expediency in "the urgent necessity" which rested on the Christian world in that day. It is quite clear that, if these words are meant to disparage matrimony in comparison with celibacy, or to treat celibacy in the abstract as a holier state that marriage, they have been set aside by the universal practice and theory of the Christian world. But, as we have seen, they are expressed by St. Paul only as a relative and diffident opinion. It is remarkable that not one word is said as to the choice of the virgin herself in the matter, which is one of the most essential points on which the decision must turn. St. Paul, no doubt, assumes the acquiescence or preference of the maiden as one of the elements in the absence of any "need" for her marriage; but also he writes after lifelong familiarity with the all but absolute control exercised by Jewish parents over their youthful daughters.Parallel Commentaries ... Greek So then,Ὥστε (Hōste) Conjunction Strong's 5620: So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore. he who ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. [marries] γαμίζων (gamizōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1061: To give in marriage. From gamos; to espouse. the τὴν (tēn) Article - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. virgin παρθένον (parthenon) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular Strong's 3933: Of unknown origin; a maiden; by implication, an unmarried daughter. does ποιεῖ (poiei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. well, καλῶς (kalōs) Adverb Strong's 2573: Well, nobly, honorably, rightly. Adverb from kalos; well. but καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. he who ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. {does} not μὴ (mē) Adverb Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. [marry her] γαμίζων (gamizōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 1061: To give in marriage. From gamos; to espouse. does ποιήσει (poiēsei) Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 4160: (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do. even better. κρεῖσσον (kreisson) Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular - Comparative Strong's 2908: Stronger, more excellent. Neuter of an alternate form of kreitton; better, i.e. Greater advantage. Links 1 Corinthians 7:38 NIV1 Corinthians 7:38 NLT 1 Corinthians 7:38 ESV 1 Corinthians 7:38 NASB 1 Corinthians 7:38 KJV 1 Corinthians 7:38 BibleApps.com 1 Corinthians 7:38 Biblia Paralela 1 Corinthians 7:38 Chinese Bible 1 Corinthians 7:38 French Bible 1 Corinthians 7:38 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:38 So then both he who gives his (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) |
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