1 Corinthians 7:40 kjv
But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 7:40 nkjv
But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment?and I think I also have the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 7:40 niv
In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is?and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 7:40 esv
Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 7:40 nlt
But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God's Spirit when I say this.
1 Corinthians 7 40 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 7:10 | Marriage directive | Clarifies Paul's authority |
| 1 Cor 7:12, 15 | Divorce/separation principles | Paul's personal opinion |
| Gal 1:1, 11-12 | Paul's apostolic authority | Source of his teachings |
| Eph 5:22-33 | Husband/wife relationship likened to Christ/Church | Marital ideals |
| Col 3:18-19 | Wives submit, husbands love | Relational instructions |
| 1 Thess 4:1-8 | Purity and conduct expected of believers | General Christian living |
| Phil 3:15 | Having a “mind” toward spiritual things | Agreement in mindset |
| 1 Pet 3:1-7 | Wives submission, husbands consideration | Similar instructions |
| Matt 19:4-6, 9-12 | Jesus on marriage and divorce | Christ's foundational teaching |
| John 14:26 | The Holy Spirit teaches all things | Source of Paul's mind |
| 1 Cor 2:10-16 | The Spirit reveals God's thoughts | Access to God's mind |
| 1 Cor 7:25 | Counsel regarding virgins | Previous advice context |
| 1 Cor 7:6, 25 | Paul's estimation of God's mercy/guidance | Basis for his counsel |
| Acts 20:18-21 | Paul's ministry and care for the church | Character of his leadership |
| Rom 12:1-2 | Presenting bodies as living sacrifices | Spiritual transformation |
| Phil 2:5 | Having the same mind as Christ | Ultimate conformity |
| John 16:13 | Spirit guides into truth | Divine guidance |
| 1 John 4:6 | Spirit of truth vs. spirit of error | Discernment |
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trusting in the Lord | Foundation of guidance |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | Unity in the body of Christ | Shared understanding |
| 1 Cor 14:37 | Apostolic authority | Paul's claim revisited |
| Eph 4:1-3 | Unity in the Spirit | Body's mindset |
1 Corinthians 7 verses
1 Corinthians 7 40 Meaning
Paul states that believers have his own mind, indicating agreement with his apostolic guidance and perspective concerning marriage and singleness. He concludes his extensive discussion on marital relations and single status by asserting his conviction, passed down from Christ, regarding the best course for believers in their present circumstances.
1 Corinthians 7 40 Context
First Corinthians chapter 7 addresses numerous questions raised by the Corinthian church, particularly concerning marriage, singleness, and marital duties. Paul had previously provided instructions on these matters, distinguishing between his own counsel and commandments from the Lord. In this verse, he concludes the chapter by affirming his confident assertion regarding his own opinion and the underlying divine perspective that informs it, aligning it with Christ's own mind and the welfare of believers.
1 Corinthians 7 40 Word Analysis
- δοκέω (dokeō): This verb carries meanings of "to think," "to seem," or "to suppose." Here, it suggests a personal opinion or judgment held by Paul, informed by deeper spiritual insight rather than mere speculation.
- κἀγὼ (kago): A contracted form of "kai ego," meaning "and I." This emphatic conjunction links Paul directly to the divine mind he claims to possess, presenting his conviction as an integral part of the authoritative teaching he delivers.
- ἔχω (echo): "To have" or "to possess." Combined with "nous" (mind), it signifies having the capacity or the state of possessing a particular way of thinking.
- νοῦν (noun): The accusative case of "nous," meaning "mind" or "understanding." This refers to the faculty of thinking, the intellect, or a disposition of thought.
- Χριστοῦ (Christou): The genitive case of "Christos," meaning "of Christ." This is crucial; it asserts that Paul's perspective is not merely his own human reasoning but aligns with, or is imparted from, the mind of Christ Himself.
Word Groups Analysis
- "δοκέω κἀγὼ νοῦν Χριστοῦ" (dokeō kago noun Christou): This phrase encapsulates the core of the verse. Paul asserts, "I also seem to have the mind of Christ." The "also" (implied by the construction in relation to his earlier distinction between his opinion and the Lord's command) and "I" highlight his personal participation in possessing this Christ-informed understanding.
1 Corinthians 7 40 Bonus Section
This assertion of having the "mind of Christ" by Paul (similar to his statement in 1 Corinthians 2:16) is not about personal infallibility but about being led by the Spirit in his apostleship. He's distinguishing his Spirit-guided judgment from mere human opinion. This was particularly important as the Corinthians were prone to divisions and factions, and Paul was reinforcing the unity of apostolic teaching rooted in Christ. His insight here addresses the ongoing debate regarding the desirability of marriage versus singleness, especially in their specific historical context where persecution and instability were common. Paul’s preference for singleness, as articulated throughout the chapter, is presented as a concession or a personal judgment rooted in Christ’s mind, allowing for greater devotion and freedom from worldly troubles, a perspective amplified by the early church's understanding of Christ’s soon return.
1 Corinthians 7 40 Commentary
Paul’s concluding statement in 1 Corinthians 7 is powerful. He presents his counsel on marriage and singleness not just as his personal advice, but as a thought process aligned with Christ’s own thinking. This means his pastoral guidance on these issues stems from divine wisdom, reflecting the will and values of Jesus for the believers at Corinth and for the church throughout time. He’s conveying that in these sensitive areas of life, his conviction is rooted in a supernatural understanding. It suggests a unity of thought between the apostolic witness and Christ’s heart, offering believers a trustworthy guide for making life decisions that honor God, especially in view of the apostles' understanding of the imminent return of Christ and the challenging social context of Corinth.