1 Corinthians 7:7
New International Version
I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

New Living Translation
But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another.

English Standard Version
I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

Berean Literal Bible
And I wish all men to be even like myself. But each has his own gift from God; for one has this, but one that.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.

New American Standard Bible
Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each has his own gift from God, one in this way, and another in that.

NASB 1995
Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.

NASB 1977
Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.

Legacy Standard Bible
Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one this way, and another that.

Amplified Bible
I wish that all the people were as I am; but each person has his own gift from God, one of this kind and one of that.

Christian Standard Bible
I wish that all people were as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one person has this gift, another has that.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I wish that all people were just like me. But each has his own gift from God, one person in this way and another in that way.

American Standard Version
Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.

Contemporary English Version
I wish all of you were like me, but God has given different gifts to each of us.

English Revised Version
Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I would like everyone to be like me. However, each person has a special gift from God, and these gifts vary from person to person.

Good News Translation
Actually I would prefer that all of you were as I am; but each one has a special gift from God, one person this gift, another one that gift.

International Standard Version
I would like everyone to be unmarried, like I am. However, each person has a special gift from God, one this and another that.

Majority Standard Bible
For 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.

NET Bible
I wish that everyone was as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one this way, another that.

New Heart English Bible
Yet I wish that all people were like me. However each one has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind.

Webster's Bible Translation
For I would that all men were as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.

Weymouth New Testament
Yet I would that everybody lived as I do; but each of us has his own special gift from God--one in one direction and one in another.

World English Bible
Yet I wish that all men were like me. However, each man has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
for I wish all men to be even as I myself [am]; but each has his own gift of God, one indeed thus and one thus.

Berean Literal Bible
And I wish all men to be even like myself. But each has his own gift from God; for one has this, but one that.

Young's Literal Translation
for I wish all men to be even as I myself am; but each his own gift hath of God, one indeed thus, and one thus.

Smith's Literal Translation
For I will all men to be as also myself. But each has his own favor of God, the one truly thus, and the other thus.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For I would that all men were even as myself: but every one hath his proper gift from God; one after this manner, and another after that.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For I would prefer it if you were all like myself. But each person has his proper gift from God: one in this way, yet another in that way.

New American Bible
Indeed, I wish everyone to be as I am, but each has a particular gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.

New Revised Standard Version
I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For I would that all men were like myself in purity. But every man has his proper gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
For I wish that all people might be like I am in purity, but every person is given a gift from God, one in this way and one in that way.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
for I could wish that all men were even as I am myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this way, another in that.

Godbey New Testament
But I wish that all men were even as myself; but each one has his own gift from God, some one, and some another.

Haweis New Testament
For I would that all men were even as myself: but every man hath his peculiar gift from God, one of this sort, and another of that.

Mace New Testament
for I wish that all men were as I myself am: but every man hath his proper gift from God, some one way, and some another.

Weymouth New Testament
Yet I would that everybody lived as I do; but each of us has his own special gift from God--one in one direction and one in another.

Worrell New Testament
And I wish all men to be even as myself. Each one, however, has his own gift from God; one, indeed, after this manner, and another, after that.

Worsley New Testament
for I could wish that all men were as I myself am; but every man hath his proper gift from God, one of one kind and another of another?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Principles of Marriage
6I say this as a concession, not as a command. 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. 8Now to the unmarried and widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am.…

Cross References
Matthew 19:11-12
“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.”

1 Corinthians 12:4
There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.

Romans 12:6
We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith;

1 Peter 4:10
As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.

Ephesians 4:7
Now to each one of us grace has been given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:11
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines.

1 Corinthians 12:28
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:18
But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design.

1 Corinthians 12:7
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

1 Corinthians 12:31
But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.

1 Corinthians 14:1
Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.

1 Corinthians 14:12
It is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.

1 Corinthians 14:26
What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a psalm or a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. All of these must be done to build up the church.

Romans 1:11
For I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you,

2 Timothy 1:6
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.


Treasury of Scripture

For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man has his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

I would.

1 Corinthians 7:26
I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.

1 Corinthians 9:5,15
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? …

Acts 26:29
And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

But.

1 Corinthians 12:11
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Matthew 19:11,12
But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given…

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1 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.














I wish
The Greek word used here is "θέλω" (thelō), which conveys a strong desire or wish. Paul expresses a personal preference, not a command. This highlights the apostle's pastoral heart, showing his care and concern for the well-being of the Corinthian believers. His wish is rooted in his understanding of the benefits of singleness for the sake of undivided devotion to the Lord.

that all men were as I am
Paul is referring to his own state of singleness. Historically, Paul was likely unmarried or widowed at this point in his life. His singleness allowed him to focus entirely on his missionary work. This phrase underscores the value Paul places on singleness, not as a superior state, but as one that offers unique opportunities for service to God.

But each man
The phrase "each man" (ἕκαστος, hekastos) emphasizes individuality within the body of Christ. Paul acknowledges the diversity of circumstances and gifts among believers. This recognition of individual differences is crucial in understanding the broader context of spiritual gifts and callings.

has his own gift from God
The term "gift" (χάρισμα, charisma) refers to a grace-given ability or state. In this context, it includes both singleness and marriage as gifts from God. This challenges the Corinthian church, and us today, to view both states as equally valuable and divinely appointed, rather than elevating one over the other.

one has this gift, another has that
Paul concludes with an affirmation of diversity in the body of Christ. The phrase highlights the variety of gifts and callings among believers. Historically, the early church was a diverse community, and Paul’s teaching here encourages acceptance and appreciation of different life situations. This diversity is a reflection of God's creative and purposeful design for His people.

(7) For I would that all men were even as I myself.--Better, I wish rather that all men were as I myself. These words do not mean that the Apostle wished that every one was unmarried, but that every one had the same grace of continence which he himself was endowed with, so that they might without risk of sin remain unmarried (see 1Corinthians 7:26). Yet, he adds, there are many gifts, and God has given to each man his own gift, so that, though you may not have the particular gift of continence which I have, you have some other. One has one kind of gift; another has another kind.

Verse 7. - For I would. The verb here used is thelo (will). In 1 Timothy 5:14 he says, "I prefer (boulomai) that the younger women marry." Even as I myself; endowed, that is, with the gift of continence, which would (in the expected nearness of Christ's coming) render marriage needless, and the condition of man like that of the angels in heaven, who neither marry nor are given in marriage. His proper gift. The "gifts" alluded to are the "graces" (charismata) of the Holy Spirit; and the grace of perfect continence does not exist equally in all (Matthew 19:11). One after this manner, and another after that. The remark is general, but also has its special application to continence and marriage (Matthew 19:12).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
I wish that
θέλω (thelō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2309: To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design.

all
πάντας (pantas)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

men
ἀνθρώπους (anthrōpous)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

were
εἶναι (einai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Active
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

as
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

I am.
ἐμαυτόν (emauton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1683: Genitive case compound of emou and autos; of myself so likewise the dative case emautoi em-ow-to', and accusative case emauton em-ow-ton'.

But
ἀλλὰ (alla)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

each [man]
ἕκαστος (hekastos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1538: Each (of more than two), every one. As if a superlative of hekas; each or every.

has
ἔχει (echei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

his own
ἴδιον (idion)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2398: Pertaining to self, i.e. One's own; by implication, private or separate.

gift
χάρισμα (charisma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5486: From charizomai; a gratuity, i.e. Deliverance;, a endowment, i.e. religious qualification, or miraculous faculty.

from
ἐκ (ek)
Preposition
Strong's 1537: From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.

God;
Θεοῦ (Theou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

one [has]
(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.

this [gift],
οὕτως (houtōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).

another [has]
(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.

that.
οὕτως (houtōs)
Adverb
Strong's 3779: Thus, so, in this manner. Or (referring to what precedes or follows).


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:7 Yet I wish that all men were (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 7:6
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