1 Corinthians 7:38
36 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.
37 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.
So then, he who marries the virgin does well, but he who does not marry her does even better.
39 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.
40 In my judgment, however, she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- So then, he who marries the virgin does well, but he who does not marry her does even better.
- KJV
- So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
- WEB
- So then both he who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and he who doesn’t give her in marriage does better.
- ASV
- 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.
- DARBY
- So that he that marries himself does well; and he that does not marry does better.
- BLB
- So then also, the one marrying [his] own virgin does well, and the one not marrying will do better.
- ÅB
- Så gjør da den vel som bortgifter, og den gjør bedre som ikke bortgifter.
- OTB
- Så da, den som gir sin forlovede i ekteskap gjør godt, og den som ikke gir henne i ekteskap vil gjøre enda bedre.
- B1930
- Så gjør da den vel som bortgifter, og den gjør bedre som ikke bortgifter.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
Read in context1 Corinthians 7:1–2
Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good to abstain from sexual relations.
Read in context1 Corinthians 7:37
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.
Read in context1 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.
Read in context1 Corinthians 7:8
Now to the unmarried and widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am.
Read in context1 Corinthians 7:26
Because of the present crisis, I think it is good for a man to remain as he is.
Read in context