1 Corinthians 7 34

1 Corinthians 7:34 kjv

There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

1 Corinthians 7:34 nkjv

There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world?how she may please her husband.

1 Corinthians 7:34 niv

and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world?how she can please her husband.

1 Corinthians 7:34 esv

and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.

1 Corinthians 7:34 nlt

His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband.

1 Corinthians 7 verses

1 Corinthians 7 34 meaning

First Corinthians 7:34 distinguishes between the unmarried and the married woman, focusing on their primary concerns. The unmarried woman (or virgin) is free to dedicate herself fully to the "things of the Lord," striving for holiness in both her body and spirit, indicating an undivided spiritual devotion. In contrast, the married woman's concern is naturally directed towards the "things of the world," specifically how she may please her husband. This verse does not suggest a moral failing in married women but rather highlights the practical difference in focus and commitment inherent in the two states, driven by differing responsibilities and relational dynamics.

1 Corinthians 7 34 Context

First Corinthians chapter 7 is Paul's comprehensive response to various questions regarding marriage, celibacy, and sexual ethics from the Corinthian church (1 Cor 7:1). His counsel is framed by the concept of "the present distress" (1 Cor 7:26) and the brevity of "the present form of this world is passing away" (1 Cor 7:31). Paul views singleness, for those who have the gift, as an advantage, allowing for more dedicated service to the Lord without the earthly concerns inherent in married life. The passage leading up to 7:34, specifically 7:32-33, already establishes this principle by contrasting the "anxieties" (merimnaō) of unmarried and married men, setting the stage for the same distinction for women in verse 34. This advice is pragmatic, given the imminent return of Christ and the pressures faced by believers, rather than an absolute statement condemning marriage.

1 Corinthians 7 34 Word analysis

• There is a difference also between a wife and a virgin:
  • This phrase introduces the distinction that follows, emphasizing that the practicalities of their states lead to differing focuses. It links back to the earlier mention of virgins in the chapter (e.g., 1 Cor 7:25).
• The unmarried woman:
  • Greek: hē agamos (ἡ ἄγαμος) - "the unmarried one." Refers to a woman who has never been married, or is a widow, or is separated. It signifies the state of not being under the direct authority and responsibilities of a husband. The preceding phrase "a wife and a virgin" leads into this clearer definition, implying 'the virgin' here means the 'unmarried woman.'
  • Significance: Denotes freedom from marital obligations and duties typically found in marriage, paving the way for a different kind of devotion.
• careth for:
  • Greek: merimnaō (μεριμνάω) - "to be anxious, to be concerned about, to care for." The term itself is neutral, indicating focus or concern, not necessarily a negative "worry." The object of the concern defines its moral quality.
  • Significance: Highlights the direction and object of their mental and spiritual energy.
• the things of the Lord:
  • Greek: ta tou Kyriou (τὰ τοῦ Κυρίου) - "the things of the Lord."
  • Significance: Encompasses all matters related to God's will, kingdom, service, worship, and spiritual growth. It implies an undivided, comprehensive focus on glorifying God.
  • Cross-reference: Jesus often spoke of seeking "the kingdom of God" (Matt 6:33).
• that she may be holy both in body and in spirit:
  • Greek: hina ē hagia kai somati kai pneumati (ἵνα ᾖ ἁγία καὶ σώματι καὶ πνεύματι) - "that she might be holy both in body and in spirit."
  • Holy (hagia): Set apart, consecrated, pure. It signifies a complete dedication to God.
  • Body and spirit: A holistic holiness, not just inward purity but also outward conduct. The unmarried woman, not bound by marital relations, could maintain a singular devotion to purity dedicated solely to God (e.g., 1 Thess 4:3-5 for sexual holiness). This is a vocational holiness in Christ, expressing outward conduct (body) and inner character (spirit).
  • Significance: This describes the purpose or goal of the unmarried woman's care for the things of the Lord: entire sanctification.
• but she that is married:
  • Greek: hē gamētheisa (ἡ γαμηθεῖσα) - "the one who has been married" or "the married woman."
  • Significance: Denotes the person now under the duties and responsibilities of a marital covenant.
• careth for:
  • Greek: merimnaō (μεριμνάω) - same as above, indicating concern or focus.
• the things of the world:
  • Greek: ta tou kosmou (τὰ τοῦ κόσμου) - "the things of the world."
  • Significance: Refers to household management, providing for the family, social obligations, material necessities, and the daily activities involved in maintaining a family unit. This isn't inherently evil, but it is distinct from an exclusive focus on spiritual pursuits. It stands in direct contrast to "the things of the Lord."
• how she may please her husband:
  • Greek: hōs arese tou andra (πῶς ἀρέσῃ τῷ ἀνδρί) - "how she might please her husband."
  • Significance: A central aspect of a wife's responsibility, especially in that cultural context, was to manage the home and attend to her husband's needs and desires (Eph 5:22-24, Col 3:18). This inherently diverts time, energy, and thought from the "things of the Lord" in an undivided manner, as pleasing a husband necessitates worldly concerns. While pleasing one's husband is a Christian duty, it involves temporal and earthly responsibilities that naturally divide focus.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord..." vs. "but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband."
  • This strong antithesis highlights the central point: the object of primary concern. The unmarried woman's focus is singular, directly on God and spiritual purity. The married woman's focus is bifurcated—on worldly aspects related to home and family, and specifically on her husband's welfare and contentment. This contrast is a pragmatic observation, not a moral judgment. Paul notes that while both states are valid before God, singleness offers a unique opportunity for an intensity of spiritual devotion that marriage, with its inherent earthly demands, naturally attenuates.

1 Corinthians 7 34 Bonus section

This passage should be understood within Paul's broader context of esprchatology – the belief that the Lord's return was imminent ("the present distress," "the appointed time has grown very short"). His advice here, while containing timeless truths about devotion, is significantly shaped by his belief that there was an urgency for undivided spiritual focus in light of impending events. This suggests his counsel to remain unmarried might be provisional rather than an absolute, universal command for all times.

Furthermore, while this verse specifically addresses women, the principles of divided versus undivided devotion also apply to men, as indicated in 1 Corinthians 7:32-33. Paul’s choice to specify women here may reflect cultural norms where a wife's life was more completely integrated with and defined by her husband's social and economic standing, meaning her "worldly concerns" could be particularly encompassing. It's a statement about the practicalities of relational states, not a value judgment on the holiness of married versus single individuals, as both can glorify God.

1 Corinthians 7 34 Commentary

First Corinthians 7:34 concisely articulates Paul's practical wisdom regarding singleness and marriage, specifically for women. It explains why he advises remaining single if possible (1 Cor 7:26, 7:32-35). The core idea is undivided devotion. The unmarried woman, unencumbered by the domestic responsibilities and relational intricacies of marriage, has the unique capacity to dedicate her whole being—body and spirit—to serving God and pursuing holiness. Her 'cares' can be singularly focused on 'the things of the Lord,' encompassing ministry, prayer, study, and evangelism, unhindered by family obligations.

Conversely, the married woman's life naturally involves 'the things of the world,' primarily centered on pleasing her husband and managing their household. These responsibilities are good, God-ordained, and vital to a flourishing family and society, but they necessarily create a divided attention compared to the unmarried individual. This is not a critique of marriage as unholy or worldly; rather, it acknowledges the reality that marital love and responsibility involve time, effort, and focus on the spouse, home, and children that is by definition distinct from a life devoted only to spiritual work in a single state. The goal for both is to glorify God, but the pathways and challenges differ. This perspective, particularly poignant in a time of "present distress," emphasizes the strategic advantage singleness can offer for intensive kingdom work.

Example: An unmarried missionary can freely travel to remote areas without considering spousal or familial needs, dedicating every waking hour to language learning, evangelism, and community development. A married missionary, while equally committed to the Lord, must factor in the needs of her husband and children, which impacts mobility, time allocation, and spiritual focus in practical ways.