1 Corinthians 7:32

1 Corinthians 7:32 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
• New International Version (NIV)I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord.
• English Standard Version (ESV)I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord.

Context of 1 Corinthians 7:32

30and those who weep, as though not weeping; and those who rejoice, as though not rejoicing; and those who buy, as though not possessing; 31and those who use the world, as though not using it to the fullest. For the present form of this world is passing away. But I want you to be free from cares. An unmarried man cares about the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord; 33but the married man cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife— 34and he is divided. The unmarried woman, as well as the virgin, cares about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But the married woman cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.

1 Corinthians 7:32 word by word

θέλω δὲ ὑμᾶς ἀμερίμνους εἶναι. ὁ ἄγαμος μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ κυρίου, πῶς ἀρέσῃ τῷ κυρίῳ·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• I would haveθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• youσύsu · youG4771
• without carefulnessἀμέριμνοςamerimnos · untroubledG275
• Heὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• that isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• unmarriedἄγαμοςagamos · unmarriedG22
• careth forμεριμνάωmerimnaō · to worryG3309
• that belong to the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• howπῶςpōs · how?!G4459
• he may pleaseἀρέσκωareskō · to pleaseG700

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 7:32

• Psalms 55:22Smoother than butter was his speech, yet war was in his heart. His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
• Matthew 6:25“So I say to you, do not worry about your life—what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing?
• Matthew 13:22“But the one sown among the thorns, this is the one who hears the word; and the worries of the world and the seduction of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
• Philippians 4:6Do not be anxious about anything—but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
• 1 Timothy 5:5Now she who is really a widow and has been left alone, has put her hope in God and continues in petitions and prayers night and day.
• 1 Corinthians 7:34and he is divided. The unmarried woman, as well as the virgin, cares about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But the married woman cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7:32

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 32Without carefulness - Though all these things will shortly come to pass, yet do not be anxious about them. Every occurrence is under the direction and management of God. The wrath of man shall praise him, and the remainder of it he shall restrain, and none can harm you if ye be followers of that which is good. We should all take the advice of the poet: - "With patient mind thy course of duty run; God nothing does, nor suffers to be done, But thou wouldst…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 32But I would have you - I would advise you to such a course of life as should leave you without carefulness My advice is regulated by that wish, and that wish guides me in giving it. Without carefulness - ( ̓́ amerimnous). Without anxiety, solicitude, care; without such a necessary attention to the things of this life as to take off your thoughts and affections from heavenly objects; see the notes on Matthew 6:25-31. careth for the things that belong to…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. 3232. without carefulness--I would have you to be not merely "without trouble," but "without distracting cares" (so the Greek). careth--if he uses aright the advantages of his condition.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 7:32

• Care
• Celibacy
• Marriage
• Stoicism
• Wife
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• Abuse
• Attend
• Consent
• Contain
• Distraction
• Loose
• Mercy
• Revelation of Christ
• Snare
• Sorrow

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