1 Corinthians 7:7 - Printer Friendly

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.

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.

NASB: Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each has his own gift from God, one in this way, and another in that.

CSB: I wish that all people were as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one person has this gift, another has that.

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.

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.

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.

Paul has made clear in the previous verses that celibacy—life without sex—is not meant for every Christian. Paul finds great benefit in it, wishing others could be blessed in the same way. However, this variation in sexual interest is by God's design. Paul states honestly that he wishes, personally—not as God's command—that everyone was like him. Paul was apparently unmarried and celibate, and he saw the absence of a driving need for marriage and sex as a gift from God.

In the following verses, Paul will describe the advantages of being single for those who are in Christ. Primarily, it frees them up to focus more of their time and energy on serving Christ (1 Corinthians 7:32–34).

It's important to notice that Paul calls this a gift, however. In no way does the Bible suggest unmarried and celibate Christians are more spiritual than married Christians. In fact, this passage will discourage those who "burn with passion" (1 Corinthians 7:9) from remaining single. Paul does not want anyone to try to overcome a God-given desire for sexuality out of a mistaken idea that lifelong abstinence is the best path for every person, in all cases. God has simply given the celibate and the married different gifts, not a lesser purpose.

First Corinthians 7:1–16 includes Paul's teaching about sex and marriage for Christians. Some in Corinth apparently thought even married believers should not have sex. Paul rejects that idea, insisting that married Christians belong to each other and should not deprive each other in this way because of the temptation to sexual sin. Also, married believers should not divorce in order to somehow be closer to God. The Lord intends marriage to be for life. Those married to unbelievers may, by staying in the marriage, help lead the other person to Christ.

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.