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

This verse declares a fundamental truth for believers: the designated time for this present world and its arrangements is critically short. Paul calls for an eschatological reorientation in how Christians engage with all earthly relationships and circumstances, particularly marriage. It is a summons to live with a sense of urgency, viewing every aspect of life, even the most intimate ones like marital bonds, through the lens of God's imminent plan and not becoming overly engrossed in temporary worldly concerns. The command "be as though they had none" is not an instruction to neglect or forsake one's spouse, but to live with an inner detachment and a readiness for the Lord's return, ensuring that one's primary devotion remains with God.

1 Corinthians 7 29 Context

1 Corinthians chapter 7 is Paul's direct response to specific questions posed by the Corinthian church concerning marriage, divorce, and celibacy, particularly within the backdrop of the prevalent sexual immorality in Corinth (as addressed in chapter 6). The chapter's overarching theme is Christian living in every marital state—married, single, divorced, or widowed—and how believers should approach these relationships in light of their commitment to Christ. Paul advocates that for many, staying in their current marital status is generally preferred, especially due to the "present distress" (1 Cor 7:26) and the looming eschatological horizon. Verse 29 specifically marks a pivotal point in his argument, providing the foundational theological reason—the compressed kairos—for his earlier and subsequent advice regarding Christian engagement with worldly realities. The historical-cultural context of Corinth, a bustling port city known for its diverse population and prevalent sensuality, underscores the importance of Paul's call for spiritual detachment and prioritized devotion to God.

1 Corinthians 7 29 Word analysis

• But (δὲ, de): A conjunction introducing a change of thought or an important new point, serving as a pivot from the preceding discussion to a deeper theological principle.

• this (τοῦτο, touto): Referring to what Paul is about to state, signifying the weighty importance of his declaration.

• I say (φημι, phēmi): A direct and authoritative statement from Paul, conveying his teaching as an apostle.

• brethren (ἀδελφοί, adelphoi): A warm, affectionate address to the Christian community in Corinth, emphasizing their shared spiritual family bond despite their moral failings.

• the time (ὁ καιρός, ho kairos):

  • Signifies a decisive, opportune, or critical period, a set point or epoch in God's redemptive plan, distinct from chronos (linear, sequential time).
  • It points to the unique era inaugurated by Christ's first coming, characterized by the advance of His Kingdom and leading up to His second coming.

• is short (συνεσταλμένος, synestalmenos):

  • Perfect passive participle of systellō.
  • Literally means "has been compressed," "shrunk," "contracted," "cut short," or "drawn together."
  • It vividly conveys a sense of the time being providentially narrowed, implying extreme urgency and the final stages of the current age. It's not that the remaining chronos is brief, but the qualitative kairos for certain kinds of engagement with the world is rapidly dwindling.

• it remaineth (τὸ λοιπόν ἐστιν, to loipon estin):

  • "The remaining part," "the rest is," "what is left."
  • Emphasizes the implication of the shortened time—what Christians should do or how they should live given this reality.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "But this I say, brethren": Paul's strong and personal apostolic declaration, addressed affectionately to his readers, setting the stage for a crucial pronouncement.
  • "the time is short": This powerful phrase encapsulates the eschatological imperative. The kairos—the divinely appointed time—is not just diminishing but has been actively compressed. This compression is understood to be the period between Christ's resurrection and His impending return, signaling a call to immediate and radical reordering of priorities.
  • "it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none": This phrase introduces the practical application of the compressed kairos. It instructs married individuals to maintain an attitude of spiritual non-absorption. The phrase "as though they had none" does not endorse marital neglect, divorce, or a monastic lifestyle. Instead, it urges believers to:
    • Not let marital affections or duties overwhelm their devotion to the Lord.
    • Maintain an inner freedom and detachment from the world's claims, even legitimate ones.
    • Live in a state of readiness for the Lord's return, understanding that earthly relationships, while good, are temporary and secondary to the eternal relationship with God.
    • Focus on advancing God's Kingdom first, without being hindered or entangled by the anxieties or comforts of this life.

1 Corinthians 7 29 Bonus section

The theological implications of this verse underscore Paul's consistent emphasis on the "already-but-not-yet" reality of the Christian faith. While Christ has inaugurated His kingdom ("already"), its full consummation awaits His return ("not yet"). Living in the "already-but-not-yet" requires a tension—to be in the world but not of it (Jn 17:14-16). The kairos being synestalmenos (compressed) means that this present, temporal existence, with its social structures like marriage, its joys, sorrows, and pursuits, must be seen as temporary staging for an eternal reality.

This verse effectively grounds all of Paul's practical ethical advice in 1 Corinthians within an ultimate eschatological framework. It explains why singleness can be advantageous for undivided devotion (1 Cor 7:32-35), why sorrow or joy should be experienced with a view toward transience (1 Cor 7:30), and why material possessions should be stewarded lightly (1 Cor 7:30-31). The short kairos urges every believer to live with an overarching purpose: to glorify God and advance His kingdom with undistracted service and a ready heart, understanding that every earthly role and relationship will one day yield to the eternal, all-consuming presence of Christ.

1 Corinthians 7 29 Commentary

1 Corinthians 7:29 serves as a profound call to eschatological living, challenging believers to re-evaluate their engagement with all temporal aspects of life, with marriage presented as a primary example. The assertion that "the time (kairos) is short" indicates that the divinely appointed period for present-world arrangements is drawing to a rapid close, fostering a sense of divine urgency. This compressed kairos is the time of waiting for Christ's return, and it compels a distinct way of life for those who follow Him.

Paul is not commanding detachment from a spouse in the sense of emotional or physical abandonment, but rather a spiritual posture of non-dependence and non-absorption. The command to "be as though they had none" means cultivating a heart unentangled from the temporal demands and pleasures of even a good institution like marriage, so that one's ultimate loyalty and focus remain on God's kingdom and purpose. The anxieties or joys of married life should not supersede or detract from undivided devotion to Christ. This principle extends beyond marriage to all other life situations (sorrow, joy, business, etc., as described in subsequent verses), emphasizing that everything is secondary to the pressing realities of God's imminent future. Believers are to hold all things lightly, understanding their transient nature, while investing deeply in eternal priorities.

For instance, a married couple might prioritize mission work or ministry that might require personal sacrifice or temporarily altered family dynamics, understanding that their earthly life is preparation for eternity. Or, in a time of intense suffering or persecution, the principle means finding strength and comfort in God alone, rather than relying solely on human relationships, recognizing that spiritual sustenance takes precedence.