God’s Word Translation
1 Corinthians 7:33
33But the married man is concerned about earthly things, ⌞that is,⌟ about how he can please his wife.
1 Corinthians 7:33 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
- New International Version (NIV)But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—
- English Standard Version (ESV)But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife,
- New King James Version (NKJV)But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife.
Context of 1 Corinthians 7:33
31Those who use the things in this world should do so but not depend on them. It is clear that this world in its present form is passing away. 32So I don’t want you to have any concerns. An unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord, ⌞that is,⌟ about how he can please the Lord. But the married man is concerned about earthly things, ⌞that is,⌟ about how he can please his wife. 34His attention is divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is concerned about the Lord’s things so that she may be holy in body and in spirit. But the married woman is concerned about earthly things, ⌞that is,⌟ about how she can please her husband. 35I’m saying this for your benefit, not to restrict you. I’m showing you how to live a noble life of devotion to the Lord without being distracted by other things.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 71 Corinthians 7:33 word by word
ὁ δὲ γαμήσας μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ κόσμου, πῶς ἀρέσῃ τῇ γυναικί,Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 7:33
- Nehemiah 5:1Then some of the people, the men and their wives, complained publicly about their Jewish relatives.
- Luke 12:22Then Jesus said to his disciples, “So I tell you to stop worrying about what you will eat or wear.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:11Also, make it your goal to live quietly, do your work, and earn your own living, as we ordered you.
- 1 Timothy 5:8If anyone doesn’t take care of his own relatives, especially his immediate family, he has denied the Christian faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
- 1 Corinthians 7:3Husbands and wives should satisfy each other’s ⌞sexual⌟ needs.
- 1 Samuel 1:4Whenever Elkanah offered a sacrifice, he would give portions of it to his wife Peninnah and all her sons and daughters.
- Ephesians 5:25Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it.
- Colossians 3:19Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be harsh with them.
- 1 Peter 3:7Husbands, in a similar way, live with your wives with understanding since they are weaker than you are. Honor your wives as those who share God’s life-giving kindness so that nothing will interfere with your prayers.
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7:33
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 33But he that is married - He has a family to provide for, and his wife to please, as well as to fulfill his duty to God, and attend to the concerns of his own soul. The single man has nothing to attend to but what concerns his own salvation: the married man has all this to attend to, and besides to provide for his wife and family, and take care of their eternal interests also. The single man has very little trouble comparatively; the married man has a…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 33careth for the things of the world - Is under a necessity of giving attention to the things of the world; or cannot give his undivided attention and interest to the things of religion. This would be especially true in times of persecution. How he may please his wife - How he may gratify her; how he may accommodate himself to her temper and wishes, to make her happy. The apostle here plainly intimates that there would be danger that the man would be so…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. 1-401Co 7:1-40. Reply to Their Inquiries as to Marriage; the General Principle in Other Things Is, Abide in Your Station, for the Time Is Short. 1. The Corinthians in their letter had probably asked questions which tended to disparage marriage, and had implied that it was better to break it off when contracted with an unbeliever. good--that is, "expedient," because of "the present distress"; that is, the unsettled state of the world, and the likelihood of…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Corinthians 7:33
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries