God’s Word Translation
1 Corinthians 7:38
38So it’s fine for a father to give his daughter in marriage, but the father who doesn’t give his daughter in marriage does even better.
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
36No father would want to do the wrong thing when his virgin daughter is old enough to get married. If she wants to get married, he isn’t sinning by letting her get married. 37However, a father may have come to a decision about his daughter. If his decision is to keep her ⌞at home⌟ because she doesn’t want to get married, that’s fine. So it’s fine for a father to give his daughter in marriage, but the father who doesn’t give his daughter in marriage does even better. 39A married woman must remain with her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if the man is a Christian. 40However, she will be more blessed if she stays as she is. That is my opinion, and I think that I, too, have God’s Spirit.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 71 Corinthians 7:38 word by word
ὥστε καὶ ὁ γαμίζων τὴν ἑαυτοῦ παρθένον καλῶς ποιεῖ, καὶ ὁ μὴ γαμίζων κρεῖσσον ποιήσει.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 7:38
- 1 Corinthians 7:28But if you do get married, you have not sinned. If a virgin gets married, she has not sinned. However, these people will have trouble, and I would like to spare them from that.
- 1 Corinthians 7:2But in order to avoid sexual sins, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband.
- Hebrews 13:4Marriage is honorable in every way, so husbands and wives should be faithful to each other. God will judge those who commit sexual sins, especially those who commit adultery.
- 1 Corinthians 7:1Now, concerning the things that you wrote about: It’s good for men not to get married.
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
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
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