1 Corinthians 7 29

1 Corinthians 7:29 kjv

But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;

1 Corinthians 7:29 nkjv

But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none,

1 Corinthians 7:29 niv

What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not;

1 Corinthians 7:29 esv

This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none,

1 Corinthians 7:29 nlt

But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage.

1 Corinthians 7 verses

1 Corinthians 7 29 Meaning

The time is short, implying that believers should live with a sense of urgency and purpose in their earthly existence because Christ's return is imminent and life itself is fleeting. This present form of the world, with its specific circumstances and relationships, is temporary and will pass away. Therefore, the Apostle Paul advises believers to conduct their lives in a manner that reflects this transient nature of reality, prioritizing spiritual matters over temporal ones.

1 Corinthians 7 29 Context

First Corinthians chapter 7 is dedicated to the Apostle Paul addressing various questions raised by the Corinthian church regarding marriage, celibacy, and relationships within the body of Christ. In verse 29, Paul transitions from discussing the specific marital states to a broader theological perspective concerning the nature of time and the Christian life. He had been advising individuals to remain in their present circumstances if possible, emphasizing that being married or unmarried does not inherently make one closer to or further from God. Now, he offers a profound reason for this approach: the urgency of the times and the transience of the current world order. This context frames his advice as practical living informed by eschatological realities.

1 Corinthians 7 29 Word Analysis

• Καὶ (kai): "And." A common conjunctive particle, linking this statement to the preceding advice. It serves to introduce an additional, foundational reason for the instructions given.
• δὲ (de): "Now" or "but." It introduces a contrast or a transition, here shifting to a more encompassing statement about the temporal reality that underlies his counsel.
• ὁ (ho): "The." A definite article.
• καιρὸς (kairos): "Time." This refers not to chronological or linear time (chronos), but to a critical, opportune, or appointed time. It signifies a period marked by specific events or conditions. In this context, it emphasizes the opportune moment, or perhaps the limited span of time before a significant eschatological event. Scholars suggest it denotes a qualitative aspect of time, an appointed season.
• συνεσταλμένος (synestalmenos): "Shortened," "abridged," or "contracted." This past participle suggests a state of being reduced or limited. It implies that the remaining time before the ultimate consummation of God's purposes is not extensive. Some interpretations link this to a perceived hastening of the end. It suggests that the "present form of the world" (1 Cor 7:31) is being rapidly compressed and will soon pass.
• ἀπὸ (apo): "From."
• τοῦ (tou): "The."
• λοιποῦ (loipou): "Remaining" or "rest." It modifies "time," indicating the portion of time that is left. Thus, "the time remaining is shortened."
• ὥστε (hoste): "So that" or "therefore." This is a consequential particle, indicating that the shortened time has a direct implication for how believers should live. It leads to the following clauses about not holding onto worldly circumstances too tightly.
• τοὺς (tous): "The."
• ἔχοντας (echontas): "Having" or "possessing." Present participle of echō.
• γυναῖκας (gunaikas): "Wives." Accusative plural of gynē. Refers to those who are married.
• ὡς (hōs): "As" or "like."
• μὴ (mē): "Not."
• κατεχοντας (katechontas): "Having" or "possessing" in a strong sense, "holding," "gripping," or "possessing as one's own." From katechō. The use here suggests an inadequate or overly clinging possession of those who have wives.
• καὶ (kai): "And."
• τοὺς (tous): "The."
• κλαιοντας (klaiontas): "Weeping." Present participle of klaiō. Refers to those experiencing sorrow.
• ὡς (hōs): "As" or "like."
• μὴ (mē): "Not."
• κλαιοντας (klaiontas): "Weeping" or "mourning."
• καὶ (kai): "And."
• τοὺς (tous): "The."
• χαιροντας (chairontas): "Rejoicing." Present participle of chairō. Refers to those experiencing joy.
• ὡς (hōs): "As" or "like."
• μὴ (mē): "Not."
• χαιροντας (chairontas): "Rejoicing" or "being glad."
• καὶ (kai): "And."
• τοὺς (tous): "The."
• αγοραζοντας (agorazontas): "Buying" or "purchasing." Present participle of agorazō. Those involved in commercial transactions.
• ὡς (hōs): "As" or "like."
• μὴ (mē): "Not."
• κατεχοντας (katechontas): "Possessing" or "holding" in the sense of having ownership and claim. This is the same word as used with "wives." The implication is a less absolute possession.
• καὶ (kai): "And."
• τοὺς (tous): "The."
• χρωμενους (chrōmenous): "Using" or "making use of." Present participle of chrōmai. Those engaging with the world and its possessions.
• τῳ (tō): "The." Dative definite article.
• κοσμῳ (kosmō): "World." Dative singular of kosmos. This refers to the surrounding world, the secular sphere, the system of human affairs as it exists in opposition to or apart from God.
• ὡς (hōs): "As" or "like."
• μὴ (mē): "Not."
• κατεχοντας (katechontas): "Possessing," "holding," or "using." The repetitive use of katechontas is significant, suggesting an unentangled, non-possessive way of engaging with all these life experiences and temporal possessions.
• παραγοῦντας (paragountas): "Passing away" or "fading." Present participle of parageō. It implies something is on its way out, transient. This refers to the temporary nature of the current "world."

Phrase/Words Group Analysis:

The phrase "ὁ καιρὸς συνεσταλμένος" (ho kairos synestalmenos) encapsulates a key concept: time is short, or more accurately, the season or opportune time is contracted. This does not necessarily mean literal clock time has sped up, but rather that the duration until Christ's return, or until the end of this age, is perceived by Paul as significantly reduced. The intensity of the present "kairos" demands an urgent response.

The repeated use of "ὡς μὴ κατέχοντες" (hōs mē katechontes) for various life circumstances (wives, weeping, rejoicing, buying) forms a powerful rhetorical device. It emphasizes a specific attitude or posture: engaged in life, but not clinging to it. It's about a non-possessive, unencumbered approach to worldly realities, knowing their transient nature. They are to be experienced, but not allowed to dominate or define one's ultimate security or identity, especially in light of the nearing "end." This parallels the Stoic ideal of apatheia (freedom from disturbing passions), but here it is rooted in Christian eschatology, not philosophical detachment. The focus is on the temporal, the perishable, being used without being possessed, as they "pass away."

1 Corinthians 7 29 Bonus Section

The concept of the "shortened time" resonates with a recurring theme in early Christianity, a vibrant expectation of Christ’s imminent return. While it's important to affirm the validity of Paul’s statement within its first-century context and its timeless principle, scholars also note that this has not always meant a literal acceleration of chronological time. Rather, it signifies a heightened sense of opportunity and urgency, as the Kingdom of God has broken into history through Christ, making this present age a pivotal and decisive moment. The focus is on the quality and purpose of time, rather than merely its quantity. The “passing away” of the world suggests a decay or transition in its current configuration, pointing towards a renewal rather than absolute annihilation, as supported by themes in Romans 8 and Revelation 21.

1 Corinthians 7 29 Commentary

Paul's counsel in this verse is intensely practical, rooted in the profound theological understanding that believers are living in the "last days." The limited span of earthly time, whether viewed individually or corporately for the present age, should influence every aspect of Christian engagement with life.

1. Sense of Urgency: The fact that "time is short" is not an invitation to idleness, but to purposeful action. It calls for prioritization of the eternal over the temporal. This means that current responsibilities and experiences, whether joys or sorrows, should be engaged with, but with an awareness of their fleeting nature.
2. Non-Possessive Living: The analogy "as though not possessing" for various aspects of life (relationships, emotions, possessions) is crucial. It is not a call to detachment or asceticism that renounces earthly blessings. Rather, it is a call to an unencumbered life, free from the oppressive ownership that can come from prioritizing the temporary. Marriages, grief, or rejoicing are to be experienced fully, but without making them ultimate idols or anchors. Similarly, the act of buying or using the world's goods should be done without attachment, recognizing that both the possessions and the world itself will "pass away."
3. Focus on the Eternal: This perspective recalibrates priorities. It encourages a reliance on Christ, rather than on shifting earthly circumstances. The imminent end-time reality grants believers a unique perspective, enabling them to endure trials and embrace joys with heavenly wisdom.
4. Analogy of the Passing World: The "present form of the world" (mentioned in the next verse) is passing. This "passing away" (parageō) is ongoing and hastens towards a complete dissolution of the current order. Thus, what seems permanent today is impermanent in God's eternal perspective.

• Practical application: Live your marriage, but don't let it be your ultimate security. Weep, but don't let sorrow consume you indefinitely. Rejoice, but not with pride that attaches you to temporal success. Buy and use resources, but don't hoard them or let them become your primary identity. Be fully present in life, but anchored in Christ and the coming kingdom.