1 Corinthians 7:40 - Printer Friendly

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.

NIV: In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

NASB: But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

CSB: But she is happier if she remains as she is, in my opinion. And I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

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.

KJV: But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

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.

Paul has written in the previous verse that a woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. He has been clear that most Christian marriages should be ended only by death. If her husband dies, however, a Christian widow is free to marry anyone she chooses, so long as he is a believer. Paul is clear that God does not forbid her to marry.

Paul, though, adds his judgment that the widow will be happier if she remains unmarried, likely for the reasons he has already given in this chapter. Marriage is good, but it also difficult, bringing worldly troubles (1 Corinthians 7:28). In addition, unmarried believers can give their full and undivided attention to serving Christ (1 Corinthians 7:34). Paul concludes here, according to his own non-binding preference (1 Corinthians 7:25) that, as a result, remaining unmarried will lead to a happier life for a widow than getting married again.

The apostle has repeatedly insisted that getting married is good and that nobody sins in doing so. Still, he does not want his readers to dismiss his views on marriage as mere opinion. He adds that he thinks he has the Spirit of God, too. Perhaps this last line is in response to someone in Corinth who has challenged his authority. That person might have claimed spiritual power or authority in their own declarations about sex and marriage.

First Corinthians 7:25–40 explores Paul's response to a question about those who are engaged to be married. Should they go through with it, considering his teaching that singleness provides opportunity to serve Christ undivided? Both are permitted, Paul insists, and you do well in either case. Paul's unique, personal view is that unmarried Christians can serve without the troubles that come with even the best marriages; they can remain fully focused on living for Christ. That is neither a command nor a judgment binding on anyone.

Paul rejects an idea concerning the Corinthian believers: that married Christians should not have sex. Perhaps some even thought marriages should be dissolved and avoided. On the contrary, Scripture says married Christians should have regular sex in order to avoid temptation. Those who are married ought to remain married. Unmarried believers with the gift of celibacy, however, should consider remaining single in order to avoid the troubles of marriage. That is Paul's personal preference, though that gift is not given to all others. Single believers can devote themselves to serving Christ without distraction. The time is short. All believers should live and serve Christ now as if this world is passing away.

First Corinthians 7 follows Paul's teaching in the previous chapter, which focused mostly on avoiding sexual immorality. Here he commands married husbands and wives not to deprive each other of sex, or get divorced, in a misguided attempt to be more spiritual. Unmarried people who can live contentedly without sex, however, should consider remaining single in order to serve Christ undivided. Getting married is good, but the time is short. The form of this world is passing away. Unmarried people should think about the opportunities to avoid trouble and serve Christ that come with staying single.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.