1 Corinthians 7 33

1 Corinthians 7:33 kjv

But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

1 Corinthians 7:33 nkjv

But he who is married cares about the things of the world?how he may please his wife.

1 Corinthians 7:33 niv

But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world?how he can please his wife?

1 Corinthians 7:33 esv

But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife,

1 Corinthians 7:33 nlt

But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife.

1 Corinthians 7 verses

1 Corinthians 7 33 Meaning

The married person is concerned with pleasing their spouse, dividing their interests and attention between earthly matters and the Lord.

1 Corinthians 7 33 Context

This verse is part of Paul's discussion in 1 Corinthians chapter 7 regarding marriage, singleness, and related issues. In the preceding verses, Paul advises those who are married to not separate, and those who are single or widowed to remain as they are, for spiritual focus. He emphasizes that the unmarried man is concerned with the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord, while the married man is concerned with pleasing his wife, creating a division of focus. This verse clarifies that such a division in the married person's attention and desires is a natural consequence of the marital bond.

1 Corinthians 7 33 Word Analysis

• δὲ (de): A postpositive particle meaning "but," "and," "now." Here, it serves as a contrast to the unmarried state discussed just before.
• ὁ δὲ (ho de): "And the..." or "But the..." introducing a contrast or continuation.
• γεγαμηκὼς (gegamēkōs): Perfect participle of "gameo" (to marry). It signifies the state of being married, one who has entered into the married state.
• μερίζεται (merizetai): Third person singular, present passive indicative of "merizo" (to divide, to part, to distribute). It means "is divided" or "gets divided." This highlights the natural distribution of one's thoughts, concerns, and affections.
• τὰ περὶ (ta peri): "The things about," "concerning." This phrase introduces the subjects or areas of concern.
• τοῦ κόσμου (tou kosmou): Genitive singular of "kosmos" (world, universe, mankind). It refers to the affairs or concerns of the world system, the ordinary life and its responsibilities.
• τὰ δὲ (ta de): "And the..." or "But the..." introducing another contrasting or parallel aspect.
• πῶς (pōs): "How," "in what way." This indicates the manner or method of pleasing.
• ἀρέσῃ (aresēi): Second person singular, future active indicative of "aresko" (to please). It means "he will please." This refers to the effort and intention to gratify.
• τῷ Κυρίῳ (tō Kyriō): Dative singular of "Kyrios" (Lord). Refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the focus of devotion for the believer.

Words-group analysis

• "is divided" (μερίζεται): This passive voice indicates that the division is not necessarily forced but an inherent outcome of the married state's commitments and affections. It’s a natural partitioning of one's energies and thoughts.
• "the things about the world" (τὰ περὶ τοῦ κόσμου): This encapsulates all the practical, temporal, and relational responsibilities that arise from being married and living in the world. It includes caring for a spouse, household, and meeting daily needs.
• "how he shall please the Lord" (πῶς ἀρέσῃ τῷ Κυρίῳ): This phrase emphasizes the goal of the unmarried state Paul previously described – to give undivided attention to pleasing God, focusing on His will and service.

1 Corinthians 7 33 Bonus Section

This verse, while highlighting a natural division, does not forbid married believers from pursuing holiness or dedicating themselves to God. Rather, it emphasizes that their devotion must be expressed within the context of their marriage vows. The capacity to please both God and a spouse simultaneously is enabled by God's grace and the understanding that the marriage itself can be a sacred institution through which one serves God. It echoes Old Testament principles like those found in Deuteronomy 6:5, where love for God encompasses the whole person, including their relationships. The early church fathers and many Christian thinkers have debated the ideal state for spiritual focus, but the general consensus, following Paul's overall teaching, is that God's grace can enable all believers, regardless of marital status, to live a life pleasing to Him, though the practical expression of this devotion might look different.

1 Corinthians 7 33 Commentary

Paul highlights the natural division of a married person's attention. Unlike the unmarried, whose primary focus can be solely on pleasing the Lord, the married individual is also deeply concerned with pleasing their spouse. This doesn't imply a sin of divided loyalty, but rather a realistic acknowledgment of the responsibilities and affections inherent in the covenant of marriage. The marital relationship naturally requires significant investment of time, thought, and emotional energy, thereby distributing the individual's focus between worldly, relational concerns (pleasing the spouse) and spiritual concerns (pleasing the Lord). The ultimate goal for any believer, married or single, remains to do all things for the glory of God, integrating all aspects of life into a unified devotion.