1 Corinthians 7:40

1 Corinthians 7:40 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment—and I think I also have the Spirit of God.
• New Living Translation (NLT)But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God’s Spirit when I say this.

Context of 1 Corinthians 7:40

38So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better. 39A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 7:40 word by word

μακαριωτέρα δέ ἐστιν ἐὰν οὕτως μείνῃ, κατὰ τὴν ἐμὴν γνώμην· δοκῶ δὲ κἀγὼ πνεῦμα θεοῦ ἔχειν.¶Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Butδέde · thenG1161
• she isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• happierμακάριοςmakarios · blessedG3107
• ifἐάνean · ifG1437
• sheμένωmenō · to stayG3306
• soοὕτωςhoutō · thus(-ly)G3779
• afterκατάkata · according toG2596
• myἐμόςemos · mineG1699
• judgmentγνώμηgnōmē · resolutionG1106
• Iκἀγώkagō kamoi kame · and IG2504
• thinkδοκέωdokeō · to thinkG1380
• that I haveἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• the Spiritπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
• of Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 7:40

• 1 Corinthians 7:1Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”
• 1 Corinthians 7:25Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
• 1 Corinthians 9:1Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?
• 1 Corinthians 14:36Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?
• 2 Corinthians 10:8So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it.
• 2 Corinthians 12:11I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:8Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.
• 2 Peter 3:15Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7:40

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 40But she is happier if she so abide - If she continue in her widowhood because of the present distress; for this must always be taken in, that consistency in the apostle's reasoning may be preserved. If this were not understood, how could St. Paul tell the widow that it would be more happy for her to continue in her widowhood than to remarry? She who had tried both the state of celibacy and the state of marriage could certainly best tell which was most for…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 40If she so abide - If she remain a widow even if she could be married to a Christian. After my judgment - In my opinion; 1 Corinthians 7:25. And I think also that I have the Spirit of God - Macknight and others suppose that this phrase implies entire certainty; and that Paul means to affirm that in this he was clear that he was under the influence of inspiration. He appeals for the use of the term ( ͂ dōkō) to Mark 10:32; Luke 8:18; 1 Corinthians 4:9; 1…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. 1-40Paul often says that true Christians, as servants of Christ, belong completely to Christ for his service. Because of this, he suggests Christians stay single. However, he admits that getting married is not a sin.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 4040. happier--(1Co 7:1, 28, 34, 35). I think also--"I also think"; just as you Corinthians and your teachers think much of your opinions, so I also give my opinion by inspiration; so in 1Co 7:25, "my judgment" or opinion. Think does not imply doubt, but often a matter of well-grounded assurance (Joh 5:39).Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 7:40

• Celibacy
• Marriage
• Stoicism
• Wife

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Abuse
• Attend
• Consent
• Contain
• Distraction
• Loose
• Mercy
• Revelation of Christ

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