1 Corinthians 7 28

1 Corinthians 7:28 kjv

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.

1 Corinthians 7:28 nkjv

But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.

1 Corinthians 7:28 niv

But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

1 Corinthians 7:28 esv

But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that.

1 Corinthians 7:28 nlt

But if you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it is not a sin. However, those who get married at this time will have troubles, and I am trying to spare you those problems.

1 Corinthians 7 verses

1 Corinthians 7 28 meaning

First Corinthians 7:28 clarifies that entering marriage, for either a man or a virgin, is not a sin, upholding its divine institution. However, Paul warns that those who marry will face various difficulties and afflictions in their worldly lives. His intent in sharing this truth is to spare believers from these practical burdens, thus enabling them to focus more singularly on devotion to the Lord.

1 Corinthians 7 28 Context

First Corinthians Chapter 7 is a pivotal response by Paul to questions from the Corinthian believers regarding marriage and celibacy ("Now concerning the matters about which you wrote," 1 Cor 7:1). The chapter navigates complex issues like marital intimacy, divorce, the sanctity of various relationship statuses (married, unmarried, widowed, in mixed-faith marriages), and Paul's personal advice concerning singleness. The historical and cultural backdrop of Corinth, a highly licentious and religiously diverse port city, likely led to varying opinions within the church, from extreme asceticism (viewing all sexual relations, even in marriage, as unspiritual) to excessive permissiveness. Paul carefully balances affirming the divine institution of marriage while also commending singleness as a state allowing for undivided devotion to the Lord, especially "because of the present distress" (1 Cor 7:26). Verse 28 serves as a clarifying statement within this broader discussion, addressing directly that marriage is not a sin but does carry its unique set of temporal challenges. Paul's overarching goal is to encourage believers to live in a way that best facilitates their worship and service to God, given the "limited time" (1 Cor 7:29).

1 Corinthians 7 28 Word analysis

• But if you marry (Ἐὰν δὲ καὶ γήμῃς):
  • γάμης (gámēs): Aorist active subjunctive of γαμέω (gameō), meaning "to marry, to take a wife, to be married." It specifically indicates the action of getting married. The use of the subjunctive mood implies a conditional possibility.
  • Significance: This opening phrase acknowledges marriage as a valid and expected choice, laying the foundation for his main point. It is not an imperative, but a practical consideration.
• you have not sinned (οὐχ ἥμαρτες):
  • ἥμαρτες (hḗmartes): Aorist active indicative of ἁμαρτάνω (hamartanō), "to sin, miss the mark." The negative particle οὐ (ou) unequivocally states that sin is not committed.
  • Significance: This is a crucial statement affirming the moral legitimacy and goodness of marriage against any potential ascetic or spiritualizing trends in Corinth that might have condemned it. Paul explicitly counters any notion that marriage itself is inherently sinful or spiritually inferior. This aligns with earlier scriptural teachings on marriage as God-ordained (Gen 2) and honorable (Heb 13:4).
• and if a virgin marries (καὶ ἐὰν γήμῃ ἡ παρθένος):
  • παρθένος (parthénos): A maiden, an unmarried woman, a virgin.
  • Significance: This specifically extends the "no sin" clause to virgins, directly addressing a segment of the Corinthian community concerned about virginity and perhaps societal pressures related to marriage. It reinforces that their choice to marry, or for parents to allow their virgin daughters to marry, is equally blameless.
• Yet those who marry (οἱ τοιοῦτοι):
  • οἱ τοιοῦτοι (hoi toioutoi): "Such ones," referring directly to "those who marry" (both the man and the virgin previously mentioned).
  • Significance: This introduces a shift in focus from the moral permissibility of marriage to its practical consequences.
• will have trouble (θλῖψιν ἕξουσιν):
  • θλῖψιν (thlípsin): Accusative singular of θλῖψις (thlípsis), "tribulation, affliction, distress, trouble, pressure." It signifies internal or external difficulties and burdens.
  • ἕξουσιν (héxousin): Future active indicative of ἔχω (echō), "to have, possess." This denotes a certainty, "they will certainly have."
  • Significance: Paul is not speaking of divine punishment but the natural and inherent challenges that come with human relationships and responsibilities in a fallen world. This 'trouble' encompasses the practical demands, emotional complexities, financial burdens, and relational stressors that multiply with marriage and family life.
• in this life (ἐν τῇ σαρκί):
  • σαρκί (sarkí): Dative singular of σάρξ (sarx), meaning "flesh," but in this context often refers to the realm of physical existence, earthly life, or human nature as distinct from the spiritual realm. It is not necessarily pejorative here, meaning 'sinful flesh,' but rather 'fleshly existence' or 'the physical/human sphere.'
  • Significance: The trouble is not spiritual condemnation or judgment from God, but an experience within the confines of human existence, specifically amplified by the added responsibilities of marriage. This distinguishes earthly trials from spiritual failures.
• and I am trying to spare you this (ἐγὼ δὲ ὑμῶν φείδομαι):
  • φείδομαι (pheídomai): Present middle indicative of φείδομαι (pheídomai), "to spare, show mercy, refrain from, deal leniently." Paul uses the first person singular, emphasizing his personal pastoral concern.
  • Significance: Paul's motive is compassion and practical concern for their spiritual well-being. He sees singleness as a means to avoid these additional worldly burdens and thus free believers to dedicate themselves more fully to the Lord, particularly given the "present distress" (1 Cor 7:26) and the urgency of the end times. He wants to help them avoid unnecessary distractions.

• Words-Group Analysis:
  • "But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned": This phrase offers dual affirmation, specifically legitimizing both general marriage and the marriage of virgins. It provides a theological safeguard against misunderstanding and judgmentalism concerning marital status within the Christian community. Paul deliberately ensures no guilt is assigned to marrying, addressing common misbeliefs of his time.
  • "Yet those who marry will have trouble in this life": This is a stark, realistic appraisal. The contrast ("But... yet") highlights the tension between the freedom to marry and the inevitable difficulties it entails. The 'trouble in the flesh' signifies the practical, tangible burdens associated with establishing and maintaining a family: financial strains, relational conflicts, raising children, illness, bereavement, and other domestic demands. It is not a moral failing, but an experiential reality of life in this world.
  • "and I am trying to spare you this": This reveals Paul's pastoral heart and the motivation behind his advice. His guidance on celibacy (earlier in the chapter) is not a command for all but a recommendation born of love and a desire for believers to live undistracted lives, fully devoted to the Lord, especially in times of perceived spiritual or eschatological urgency. His aim is not to deter marriage universally, but to point to the unique advantage of singleness for unfettered service.

1 Corinthians 7 28 Bonus section

Paul's counsel in 1 Corinthians 7, including verse 28, should be understood through his eschatological lens. He perceived the "appointed time" (v. 29) as short, with the return of Christ imminent. This perspective heightened the urgency of being unencumbered by worldly cares, allowing full concentration on advancing the Kingdom. Therefore, his advice isn't a timeless theological prohibition on marriage, but a pragmatic spiritual strategy for a specific historical and theological context. While the urgency of his immediate context may have passed, the principle remains: one's marital status can impact their capacity for service and the level of worldly entanglement experienced. It prompts believers to consider how their life choices contribute to or detract from their undivided devotion to God, emphasizing that both marriage and singleness can be valid and God-honoring paths depending on individual calling and purpose.

1 Corinthians 7 28 Commentary

In 1 Corinthians 7:28, Paul navigates the nuanced relationship between marriage, singleness, and Christian living. He begins by decisively stating that marriage is not a sin, providing explicit permission and moral affirmation to those who choose it, whether for a man or a virgin. This directly countered any early Gnostic or ascetic tendencies within the Corinthian church that might have deemed marriage as spiritually inferior or even impure. However, Paul immediately introduces a caveat: marriage, while legitimate, brings "trouble in this life" (or "in the flesh"). This is not a spiritual condemnation or a reflection of marriage as an imperfect state in God's eyes, but rather a practical acknowledgment of the increased worldly anxieties and responsibilities inherent in establishing and maintaining a family. These "troubles" encompass the financial, emotional, social, and physical demands of managing a household and nurturing relationships. Paul's final declaration, "and I am trying to spare you this," illuminates his pastoral motivation. He encourages singleness, not out of disdain for marriage, but from a loving concern that believers might remain free from worldly entanglements and anxieties to serve the Lord with undivided devotion (1 Cor 7:32-35). His advice is practical, not prescriptive, driven by a desire for their utmost spiritual benefit and freedom, particularly given the perceived "present distress" and the transient nature of this world. This verse does not elevate singleness as inherently superior but points to its practical advantages for spiritual focus, depending on an individual's calling and spiritual gift.