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.
• New International Version (NIV)In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too 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.

Context of 1 Corinthians 7:40

38So the person who marries his fiancée does well, and the person who doesn’t marry does even better. 39A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord. 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.

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 regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to abstain from sexual relations.
• 1 Corinthians 7:25Now regarding your question about the young women who are not yet married. I do not have a command from the Lord for them. But the Lord in his mercy has given me wisdom that can be trusted, and I will share it with you.
• 1 Corinthians 9:1Am I not as free as anyone else? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? Isn’t it because of my work that you belong to the Lord?
• 1 Corinthians 14:36Or do you think God’s word originated with you Corinthians? Are you the only ones to whom it was given?
• 2 Corinthians 10:8I may seem to be boasting too much about the authority given to us by the Lord. But our authority builds you up; it doesn’t tear you down. So I will not be ashamed of using my authority.
• 2 Corinthians 12:11You have made me act like a fool. You ought to be writing commendations for me, for I am not at all inferior to these “super apostles,” even though I am nothing at all.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:8Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
• 2 Peter 3:15And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom 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