English Standard Version
1 Corinthians 7:37
37But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well.
1 Corinthians 7:37 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
- New International Version (NIV)But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well.
- New Living Translation (NLT)But if he has decided firmly not to marry and there is no urgency and he can control his passion, he does well not to marry.
Context of 1 Corinthians 7:37
35I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord. 36If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. 38So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better. 39A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 71 Corinthians 7:37 word by word
ὃς δὲ ἕστηκεν ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ ἑδραῖος μὴ ἔχων ἀνάγκην, ἐξουσίαν δὲ ἔχει περὶ τοῦ ἰδίου θελήματος, καὶ τοῦτο κέκρικεν ἐν τῇ ἰδίᾳ καρδίᾳ τηρεῖν τὴν ἑαυτοῦ παρθένον, καλῶς ποιήσει.Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Neverthelessδέde · thenG1161
- he thatὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- standethἵστημιhistēmi · to standG2476
- stedfastἑδραῖοςhedraios · steadfastG1476
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- his heartὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- his heartκαρδίαkardia · heartG2588
- havingἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
- noμήmē · notG3361
- necessityἀνάγκηanagkē · necessityG318
- powerἐξουσίαexousia · authorityG1849
- overπερίperi · aboutG4012
- his ownἴδιοςidios · one's own/privateG2398
- willθέλημαthelēma · will/desireG2307
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- hathκρίνωkrinō · to judgeG2919
- soοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
- hisαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- that he will keepτηρέωtēreō · to keep: protectG5083
- hisἑαυτοῦheautou · themselfG1438
- virginπαρθένοςparthenos · virginG3933
- doethποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
- wellκαλῶςkalōs · wellG2573
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7:37
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 37Nevertheless - But. The apostle in this verse states some instances where it would not be proper to give a daughter in marriage; and the verse is a kind of summing up of all that be had said on the subject. That standeth steadfast in his heart - Most commentators have understood this of the father of the virgin, and suppose that it refers to his purpose of keeping her from the marriage connection. The phrase to stand steadfast, is opposed to a…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. 3737. steadfast--not to be turned from his purpose by the obloquy of the world. having no necessity--arising from the natural inclinations of the daughter. power over his ... will--when, owing to his daughter's will not opposing his will, he has power to carry into effect his will or wish. decreed--determined.Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Corinthians 7:37
In the dictionaries
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
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Commentaries