1 Corinthians 7:7 kjv
For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
1 Corinthians 7:7 nkjv
For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.
1 Corinthians 7:7 niv
I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
1 Corinthians 7:7 esv
I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
1 Corinthians 7:7 nlt
But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another.
1 Corinthians 7 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 7:8 | Now to the unmarried and to widows I say: it is good for them to remain as I am. | Paul's personal testimony |
| Matt 19:11 | But he said to them, "Not all handle this saying, but those to whom it is given." | Jesus on singleness for the Kingdom |
| 1 Cor 7:26 | I think then that this is good because of the present distress: that it is good for a person to remain as he is. | Present distress as a reason |
| Rom 7:2 | For the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is alive, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. | Law of marriage |
| 1 Cor 7:9 | but if they cannot exercise self-control they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with desire. | Marriage as an option |
| Matt 22:30 | For at the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. | Future state |
| 1 Cor 9:22 | To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. To the moralists I have become moralist, that I may win the moralists. | Apostolic approach |
| 1 Cor 7:34 | So are you free from a wife? Do not seek marriage. But also if you are married, do not seek to be loosed. | Distinction in marital status |
| Heb 12:1 | Therefore let us also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, | Running the race |
| 1 Cor 9:23 | I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. | Purpose of self-denial |
| 1 Tim 5:14 | So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the enemy no occasion for slander. | Counsel for younger widows |
| 1 Thess 4:3 | For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; | God's will for purity |
| Gal 5:16 | But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. | Contrasting desires |
| 1 Cor 7:2 | But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. | Marriage for purity |
| 1 Cor 7:40 | but in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God. | Happiness in remaining single |
| John 14:26 | But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. | Role of the Holy Spirit |
| 1 Cor 6:18 | Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. | Command to flee immorality |
| Eph 5:33 | However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. | Mutual love in marriage |
| Phil 4:11 | not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. | Contentment in circumstances |
| 2 Cor 11:2 | For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. | Spiritual betrothal |
| 1 Cor 10:13 | No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. | God provides escape |
| 1 Cor 7:37 | He who stands firm in his inner conviction, and who does not yield to necessity but has the authority over his own will, and has decided this as a gift in his own heart, to keep his own virginity, is doing well. | Authority over one's will |
1 Corinthians 7 verses
1 Corinthians 7 7 Meaning
This verse expresses Paul's desire for all believers, including himself, to possess the spiritual gift of singleness. He states that while marriage is a godly institution, those who are able to live in singleness without temptation should embrace it as a preferable state, offering greater devotion to God.
1 Corinthians 7 7 Context
This verse is part of a larger discussion in 1 Corinthians 7 concerning marriage and singleness. The Corinthian church had questions about these matters, likely influenced by certain teachings or their specific circumstances. Paul addresses the issue of marital status, advocating for singleness as a spiritually advantageous position in light of the "present distress" (v. 26), a likely reference to impending persecution or the general turmoil of the times before Christ's return. He differentiates between those who are married and those who are not, offering counsel to each group. Within this framework, Paul shares his personal preference for remaining unmarried.
1 Corinthians 7 7 Word Analysis
- καὶ (kai): and. A conjunction used for joining clauses, ideas, or words. It connects Paul's statement to the preceding discussion or his own example.
- θέλω (thelō): I wish, I want. Expresses a strong desire or will. Paul conveys a personal inclination.
- δὲ (de): but. A postpositive adversative or conjunctive particle. It introduces a contrast or qualification, setting Paul's desire apart from absolute commands.
- πάντας (pantas): all. The accusative plural masculine of πᾶς (pas), meaning "all" or "every." Refers to all believers.
- ἀνθρώπους (anthrōpous): men, human beings. The accusative plural of ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos). Paul includes both men and women in his statement.
- εἶναι (einai): to be. The present infinitive of εἰμί (eimi), "to be." Expresses a state or condition of being.
- ὡς (hōs): as. A comparative particle. Used here to introduce the condition Paul desires for all, "as I am" (i.e., unmarried).
- καὶ (kai): and. Another conjunction.
- ἐμαυτόν (emauton): myself. The accusative reflexive pronoun of the first person. Paul refers to his own state of being unmarried.
Group analysis:
- "θέλω δὲ πάντας ἀνθρώπους εἶναι ὡς καὶ ἐμαυτόν" (thelō de pantas anthrōpous einai hōs kai emauton): "But I wish all men to be as I myself am." This entire phrase captures Paul's deep desire for all believers to experience the spiritual benefits of singleness, paralleling his own voluntary commitment to it. The use of "pantas anthrōpous" (all men) signifies his broad hope, while "hōs kai emauton" (as I myself am) grounds this desire in his personal experience and the rationale he shares in this chapter.
1 Corinthians 7 7 Bonus Section
The Greek word translated as "wish" or "desire" is thelō. While it expresses a strong inclination, it is not presented as an imperative command. This is crucial because the spiritual gift of singleness is not granted to everyone. Paul later elaborates on this in verse 9, stating that if individuals cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. This highlights the principle that spiritual direction and personal circumstances play a significant role in these matters. The phrase "as I myself am" points to Paul's own life choices and the perceived advantages he experiences in his ministry by remaining unmarried, a position he voluntarily adopted for the sake of his apostolic calling and the gospel.
1 Corinthians 7 7 Commentary
Paul expresses a personal preference for the state of singleness, advocating that it is generally better for believers to remain unmarried. He believes this state allows for undivided devotion to the Lord. While he acknowledges the sanctity and purpose of marriage, particularly in preventing immorality (1 Cor 7:2, 9), his own experience, influenced by the challenging times, leads him to find singleness more conducive to ministry and spiritual focus. This is not a universal command, as indicated by his later statements that marriage is permissible and even necessary for some. It’s a counsel rooted in spiritual gifting and the recognition of specific life circumstances. Paul doesn't demand this, but he commends it as a beneficial pathway for those who are enabled to embrace it, sharing in the same spirit as Christ's teachings on singleness for the Kingdom of Heaven.