1 Corinthians 7:26

1 Corinthians 7:26 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
• New International Version (NIV)Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is.
• New King James Version (NKJV)I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—that it is good for a man to remain as he is:

Context of 1 Corinthians 7:26

24Brothers, let each one remain with God in that condition in which he was [when he was] called. 25Now concerning the virgins [of marriageable age] I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. I think then that because of the impending distress [that is, the pressure of the current trouble], it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you unmarried? Do not seek a wife. 28But if you do marry, you have not sinned [in doing so]; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned [in doing so]. Yet those [who marry] will have troubles (special challenges) in this life, and I am trying to spare you that.

1 Corinthians 7:26 word by word

νομίζω οὖν τοῦτο καλὸν ὑπάρχειν διὰ τὴν ἐνεστῶσαν ἀνάγκην, ὅτι καλὸν ἀνθρώπῳ τὸ οὕτως εἶναι.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• I supposeνομίζωnomizō · to thinkG3543
• thereforeοὖνoun · therefore/thenG3767
• that thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• isὑπάρχωhuparchō · be alreadyG5225
• goodκαλόςkalos · goodG2570
• forδιάdia · through/because ofG1223
• the presentἐνίστημιenistēmi · be presentG1764
• distressἀνάγκηanagkē · necessityG318
• thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• for a manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• soοὕτωςhoutō · thus(-ly)G3779
• to beεἰμίeimi · to beG1510

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 7:26

• 1 Corinthians 7:1Now as to the matters of which you wrote: It is good (beneficial, advantageous) for a man not to touch a woman [outside marriage].
• Jeremiah 16:2“You shall not take a wife or have sons and daughters in this place (Jerusalem).”
• Matthew 24:19And woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!
• Luke 21:23Woe to those women who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For great trouble and anguish will be on the land, and wrath and retribution on this people [Israel].
• Luke 23:28But Jesus, turning toward them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.
• 1 Peter 4:17For it is the time [destined] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not respect or believe or obey the gospel of God?

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7:26

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 26This is good for the present distress - There was no period in the heathen times when the Church was not under persecutions and afflictions; on some occasions these were more oppressive than at others. The word signifies, necessity, distress, tribulation, and calamity; as it does in Luke 21:23; 2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 12:10. In such times, when the people of God had no certain dwelling-place, when they were lying at the mercy of their enemies…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 26I suppose - I think; I give the following advice. For the present distress - In the present state of trial. The word “distress” ( ̓́ anagkēnnecessity) denotes calamity, persecution, trial, etc.; see Luke 21:23. The word rendered “present” ( ̓͂ enestōsan) denotes that which “urges on,” or that which at that time presses on, or afflicts. Here it is implied: (1)That at that time they were subject to trials so severe as to render the advice which he was…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 25-35Verses 25-35 Considering the distress of those times, the unmarried state was best. Notwithstanding, the apostle does not condemn marriage. How opposite are those to the apostle Paul who forbid many to marry, and entangle them with vows to remain single, whether they ought to do so or not! He exhorts all Christians to holy indifference toward the world. As to relations; they must not set their hearts on the comforts of the state. As to afflictions; they…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 25-35Paul provides three reasons why it is often better for single people to stay unmarried. First, single people face fewer daily problems than married people. Second, since the end is near, Christians should not let marriage and worldly matters be their main focus. Their main focus should be Christ and eternity. Third, marriage involves earthly responsibilities and divided interests, so those who stay single can dedicate their lives more fully to serving…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2626. I suppose--"I consider." this--namely, "for a man so to be," that is, in the same state in which he is (1Co 7:27). for--by reason of. the present distress--the distresses to which believers were then beginning to be subjected, making the married state less desirable than the single; and which would prevail throughout the world before the destruction of Jerusalem, according to Christ's prophecy (Mt 24:8-21; compare Ac 11:28).Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 7:26

• Celibacy
• Chastity
• Continence
• Marriage
• Stoicism

In the dictionaries

• Abuse
• Attend
• Consent
• Contain
• Distraction
• Loose
• Mercy
• Revelation of Christ
• Snare
• Sorrow

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings