1 Corinthians 7:38

1 Corinthians 7:38 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
• New International Version (NIV)So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.
• English Standard Version (ESV)So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.
• New King James Version (NKJV)So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.

Context of 1 Corinthians 7:38

36But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin daughter, if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requireth, let him do what he will; he sinneth not; let them marry. 37But he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power as touching his own will, and hath determined this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, shall do well. So then both he that giveth his own virgin daughter in marriage doeth well; and he that giveth her not in marriage shall do better. 39A wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. 40But she is happier if she abide as she is, after my judgment: and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 7:38 word by word

ὥστε καὶ ὁ γαμίζων τὴν ἑαυτοῦ παρθένον καλῶς ποιεῖ, καὶ ὁ μὴ γαμίζων κρεῖσσον ποιήσει.¶Read the interlinear

• ownἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
• virginπαρθένοςparthenos · virginG3933
• wellκαλῶςkalōs · wellG2573

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 7:38

• 1 Corinthians 7:28But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you.
• 1 Corinthians 7:2But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
• Hebrews 13:4Let marriage be had in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
• 1 Corinthians 7:1Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7:38

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 38Doeth well - Does right; violates no law in it, and is not to be blamed for it. Doeth better - Does that which is on the whole to be preferred, if it can be done. He more certainly, in the present circumstances, consults her happiness by withholding her from the marriage connection than he could by allowing her to enter it.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 36-40Verses 36-40 The apostle is thought to give advice here about the disposal of children in marriage. In this view, the general meaning is plain. Children should seek and follow the directions of their parents as to marriage. And parents should consult their children's wishes; and not reckon they have power to do with them, and dictate just as they please, without reason. The whole is closed with advice to widows. Second marriages are not unlawful, so that…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 36-38Paul suggests choosing a celibate life over marriage. However, he permits marriage if sexual desires become too tempting. Those who can control their desires well should consider celibacy.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3838. her--The oldest manuscripts have "his own virgin daughter." but--The oldest manuscripts have "and."Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 7:38

• Celibacy
• Continence
• Marriage
• Wife

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