1 Corinthians 7:8

8 Now to the unmarried^[a] and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.

1 Corinthians 7:8 in Other Translations

8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am.

8 So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows—it’s better to stay unmarried, just as I am.

8 I do, though, tell the unmarried and widows that singleness might well be the best thing for them, as it has been for me.

8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

8 I say to those who are not married, especially to widows: It is good for you to stay single like me.

8 I say to the unmarried and to widows: It is good for them if they remain as I am.

8 I speak to those who are not married. I also speak to widows. It is good for you to stay single like me.

1 Corinthians 7:8 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 7:8

I say therefore to the unmarried and widows
Not by way of command, but advice: by the "unmarried" he means, either such men who never were in a married state, or else such who had been married, but their wives were dead; which latter sense seems more agreeable, since they are joined with "widows", who had lost their husbands:

it is good for them if they abide;
unmarried, and do not change their condition any more; not that it was sinful to marry again, for he allows of it in the next verse, in case they have not the gift of continence; and therefore "good" here, is not opposed to evil, only signifies that it would be better for them, more expedient and profitable for them; they would be more free from the cares of life, have less trouble, and be more at leisure to serve the Lord; and which he knew by experience, and therefore, proposes himself as an example:

even as I;
that is, as he was then; for at that time it seems certain that he had no wife; though whether he had had one, and she was now dead, or whether he had never been married, may be matter of dispute; the former seems most agreeable, since he proposes himself as an example to widowers and widows; and having known what a married and single state both were, was better able to give his judgment of both, and proper advice to such persons which must come with more force and strength, and a better grace, from such an one.

1 Corinthians 7:8 In-Context

6 I say this as a concession, not as a command.

7 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.

8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.

9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.

Cross References

• 1. ver 1,26

Footnotes

• [a] Or "widowers"