1 Coríntios 7

1 Coríntios 7

Morgan - Without Distraction According to 1 Corinthians 7, there are many advantages to remaining single, for “He who is unmarried cares about the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord … without distraction.” Evangelist John Berridge offers living proof. (Read my short biography account of John Berridge truly one of the unsung heroes of God and one of my favorite old saints). Had John lived in London or Edinburgh, he would have been famous for his powerful preaching, but the Lord placed him in out-of-the-way villages where he became the “Whitefield of the countryside.” John was quaint and eccentric, but his strange ways merely added to the appeal and power of his ministry. He preached to great crowds in rural England, in one year alone leading over 4,000 people to Christ—and he evangelized nonstop for 30 years. He insisted he could best minister unmarried, and he worried that the Wesley brothers and George Whitefield didn’t do likewise. George Whitefield had married a woman with whom he had spent less than a week; she died in 1768. And poor John Wesley had marital woes. Writing to Lady Huntingdon, patron of the English evangelists, Berridge observed: No trap [is] so mischievous to the field-preacher as wedlock; and it is laid for him at every hedge corner. Matrimony has quite maimed poor Charles [Wesley], and might have spoiled John [Wesley] and George [Whitefield], if a wise Master had not graciously sent them a brace [pair] of ferrets. Dear George has his liberty again; and he will escape well if he is not caught by another tenterhook. Eight or nine years ago, having been grievously tormented with housekeeping, I thought of looking out for a Jezebel myself. But it seemed highly needful to ask advice of the Lord. So, kneeling down before the table, with a Bible between my hands, I besought the Lord to give me direction. The Lord gave John Berridge Jeremiah 16:2—“ You shall not take a wife, nor shall you have sons and daughters in this place” Thus he relinquished all thoughts of marriage and gave himself to pleasing the Lord “without distraction." (From This Verse) Nancy Leigh DeMoss - The Whole of Our Lives I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.—1 Corinthians 7:35 I RECALL ONE OF MY FORMER PASTORS challenging us as members of his congregation to “go for broke with God.” I like that. Tireless, wholehearted abandon to the will and work of the Lord ought to characterize our lives. But does it? Many years ago, Communist leader Vladimir Lenin issued a similar challenge, though regarding a much different aim and objective, when he declared, “We must train men and women who will devote to the revolution not merely their spare evenings but the whole of their lives.” If the Communist revolution could call its followers to that kind of 24/7 devotion to its cause, what does it say when we as Christians model the idea of measured, “part-time Christian service,” while being careful to protect plenty of time to fulfill our own pursuits? Is Jesus not worthy of the “whole of our lives”? This doesn’t mean, of course, that a man or woman devoted to Christ can never relax or take a vacation without feeling guilty about it. But the older I get, the more I find myself evaluating my activities, my hobbies, and my leisure time in light of the price they will bring in eternity. From time to time, I sense the Lord directing me to cut back on, or even eliminate altogether, certain legitimate activities that are robbing me of time to pursue Him, things that are keeping me from making an eternal investment in the lives of people. To be devoted to doing what pleases God, to live in the light of eternity, to be His willing bond servants—this is to fulfill the purpose for which we were created and to know the greatest possible joy in this life and the next. Are you giving God merely your “spare evenings,” or the whole of your life? 1 Corinthians 7:36 But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry. Amplified But if any man thinks that he is not acting properly toward and in regard to his virgin [that he is preparing disgrace for her or incurring reproach], in case she is passing the bloom of her youth and if there is need for it, let him do what to him seems right; he does not sin; let them marry. Wuest But, assuming that a certain man thinks that he is acting in an unseemly manner in the case of his virgin daughter, if she be past the bloom of youth, and it [a marriage] thus ought to take place, whatever he desires, let him be doing. He is not sinning. Let them [the daughter and the man she loves] marry. (Eerdmans Publishing - used by permission) NET 1 Corinthians 7:36 If anyone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the bloom of youth and it seems necessary, he should do what he wishes; he does not sin. Let them marry. NLT 1 Corinthians 7:36 But if a man thinks that he's treating his fiancée improperly and will inevitably give in to his passion, let him marry her as he wishes. It is not a sin. ESV 1 Corinthians 7:36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry-- it is no sin. NIV 1 Corinthians 7:36 If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if she is getting along in years and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. GNT 1 Corinthians 7:36 Εἰ δέ τις ἀσχημονεῖν ἐπὶ τὴν παρθένον αὐτοῦ νομίζει, ἐὰν ᾖ ὑπέρακμος καὶ οὕτως ὀφείλει γίνεσθαι, ὃ θέλει ποιείτω, οὐχ ἁμαρτάνει, γαμείτωσαν. KJV 1 Corinthians 7:36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. YLT 1 Corinthians 7:36 and if any one doth think it to be unseemly to his virgin, if she may be beyond the bloom of age, and it ought so to be, what he willeth let him do; he doth not sin -- let him marry. ASV 1 Corinthians 7:36 But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin daughter, if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requireth, let him do what he will; he sinneth not; let them marry. CSB 1 Corinthians 7:36 But if any man thinks he is acting improperly toward his virgin, if she is past marriageable age, and so it must be, he can do what he wants. He is not sinning; they can get married. NKJ 1 Corinthians 7:36 But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. NRS 1 Corinthians 7:36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his fiancee, if his passions are strong, and so it has to be, let him marry as he wishes; it is no sin. Let them marry. NAB 1 Corinthians 7:36 If anyone thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, and if a critical moment has come and so it has to be, let him do as he wishes. He is committing no sin; let them get married. NJB 1 Corinthians 7:36 If someone with strong passions thinks that he is behaving badly towards his fiance'e and that things should take their due course, he should follow his desires. There is no sin in it; they should marry. GWN 1 Corinthians 7:36 No 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. BBE 1 Corinthians 7:36 But if, in any man's opinion, he is not doing what is right for his virgin, if she is past her best years, and there is need for it, let him do what seems right to him; it is no sin; let them be married. past her youth: 1Sa 2:33 must be so 1Co 7:9,37 sin: 1Co 7:28 1 Corinthians 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A COMPLICATED SECTION VERSES 36-38 Note: There is a significant difference in the way translations render parthenos in verses 36-38 as the ESV has "betrothed" and NAS "virgin [daughter]." The other variations are highlighted in yellow. 1 Corinthians 7:36-38ESV If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry-- it is no sin. 37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. 38 So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better. (1Co 7:36-38 ESV) ESV Study Bible Comment - If his passions are strong translates a difficult word (Gk. hyperakmos) that can also mean “past one’s prime” when used in reference to a woman. The ESV translation is preferable, however, because it is consistent with Paul’s reasoning in vv. 2–3 and 9, and it would be strange for Paul to give permission to marry only when women are “past their prime.” And it has to be probably refers to a sense of both moral and physical necessity to get married. Paul’s comment is not intended as a disapproval of marriage (cf. vv. 28, 38; Eph. 5:22–33; 1 Tim. 4:1–4). 1 Cor 7:37–38 keep her as his betrothed. Paul now turns to the person who has the gift of celibacy and is able to refrain from marrying. Does well and even better illustrate the general principle that among choices that are morally good and not sinful, God can still give different opportunities for service, which will have different consequences. 1 Corinthians 7:36-38 But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry. 37 But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, he will do well. 38 So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better. EXPLANATORY NOTE FROM NET BIBLE - Greek "virgin," either a fiancée, a daughter, or the ward of a guardian. 1 Cor 7:36–38. There are two common approaches to understanding the situation addressed in these verses. One view involves a father or male guardian deciding whether to give his daughter or female ward in marriage (cf. NASB, NIV margin). The evidence for this view is: (1) the phrase in v. 37 (Grk) “to keep his own virgin” fits this view well (“keep his own virgin [in his household]” rather than give her in marriage), but it does not fit the second view (there is little warrant for adding “her” in the way the second view translates it: “to keep her as a virgin”). (2) The verb used twice in v. 38 (γαμίζω, gamizō) normally means “to give in marriage” not “to get married.” The latter is usually expressed by γαμέω (gameō), as in v. 36b. (3) The father deciding what is best regarding his daughter’s marriage reflects the more likely cultural situation in ancient Corinth, though it does not fit modern Western customs. While Paul gives his advice in such a situation, he does not command that marriages be arranged in this way universally. If this view is taken, the translation will read as follows: “7:36 If anyone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his unmarried daughter, if she is past the bloom of youth and it seems necessary, he should do what he wishes; he does not sin. Let them marry. 7:37 But the man who is firm in his commitment, and is under no necessity but has control over his will, and has decided in his own mind to keep his daughter unmarried, does well. 7:38 So then the one who gives his daughter in marriage does well, but the one who does not give her does better.” The other view is taken by NRSV, NIV text, NJB, REB: a single man deciding whether to marry the woman to whom he is engaged. The evidence for this view is: (1) it seems odd to use the word “virgin” (vv. 36, 37, 38) if “daughter” or “ward” is intended. (2) The other view requires some difficult shifting of subjects in v. 36, whereas this view manages a more consistent subject for the various verbs used. (3) The phrases in these verses are used consistently elsewhere in this chapter to describe considerations appropriate to the engaged couple themselves (cf. vv. 9, 28, 39). It seems odd not to change the phrasing in speaking about a father or guardian. If this second view is taken, the translation will read as follows: “7:36 If anyone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his fiancée, if his passions are too strong and it seems necessary, he should do what he wishes; he does not sin. Let them marry. 7:37 But the man who is firm in his commitment, and is under no necessity but has control over his will, and has decided in his own mind to keep her as his fiancée, does well. 7:38 So then, the one who marries his fiancée does well, but the one who does not marry her does better.” Moody Bible Commentary on 1 Cor 7:36-38 - These verses refer to a hypothetical situation in which a betrothed man was considering remaining single (so RSV; TNIV; NIV; ESV), not to a father who was debating marrying off his daughter (NASB). Several points support this view. First, any man, in the context of the instructions to those who are single in 1 Cor 7:25-35, is probably someone who is unmarried. Second, acting unbecomingly, when used in the ancient world for relationships between men and women, overwhelmingly referred to sexual misconduct, making it unlikely that 1 Cor 7:36 refers to a father's deliberations. Third, the NASB's if she is past her youth is better translated "If he is sexually awakened" (RSV, "if his passions are strong"). The adjective huperakmos, translated wrongly by the NASB as past her youth, actually meant "sexually enlivened," or "to be sexually mature and feel the effects of it," and does not refer to old age in either gender. Consequently, fourth, the subject of the verb is in the phrase "if he is sexually enlivened" (once again, mistranslated by the NASB as if she is past her youth) should be understood as "he" and not "she." Paul was addressing the betrothed man in v. 36 (he is acting... his virgin) so that "he" is the more likely subject of "is" than "she." Fifth, if it must be so, if the betrothed man cannot control himself and sexual impropriety is imminent, then he should do what he wishes, and apparently what he wishes is to have sexual relations with his fiancée, for which marriage is a happy prerequisite. Sixth, let her marry is based on an inferior manuscript tradition, and the better reading is "let them marry" (RSV; TNIV; NIV; ESV). This fits the "betrothed young man" view better, as Paul might have written "let her marry" if he were addressing a father mulling over allowing his daughter to wed. Seventh, v. 37 reflects this man's resolve to remain single, a resolve not coerced by the anti-marriage advocates or by Paul (for the Greco-Roman background on this passage, see Winter, After Paul Left Corinth, 243-49). Eighth, to keep his own virgin was a phrase that meant "to safeguard a woman's virginity," and expresses the decision not to marry and have relations (cf. Fee, 1 Corinthians, 353-54). The verb gamizo (NASB gives... in marriage) has a causative sense ("to give in marriage," "to have someone marry") elsewhere (Mt 24:38), but verbs with "—izo" endings were losing their causative force in Hellenistic Greek, and gamizo probably is synonymous with gameo, "to marry, take in marriage" (BDAG, 188). But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly (aschemoneo) toward his virgin (parthenos) daughter, if she is past her youth (huperakmos) - NAS adds the word "daughter" (not in the original Greek) and is probably not the best translation. Most other modern translations do not interpret this as the man's actual daughter, BUT as the man's fiancee as shown below in the translations below. NRS If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his fiancee, if his passions are strong, and so it has to be, let him marry as he wishes; it is no sin. Let them marry. RSV If any one thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry -- it is no sin. 🙏 THOUGHT - The difficulty in interpretation of this section by the "experts" is clearly demonstrated by the marked difference in the translations. The NASB is literal but has added "daughter" whereas the RSV/NRSV which is also generally literal has "fiancee" (or betrothed) which is a significant difference! Here is the takeaway -- Be aware that every Bible translation is to some degree an interpretation (usually a group of language experts decided on the best English words for the Greek or Hebrew), so that if you encounter a passage that is difficult to understand, first ask the Spirit for His enablement and second read the passage in other versions (remembering of course to read the passage in its context) to help you discern God's intended meaning of the passage. Arnold - If anyone thinks be is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if she is getting along in years and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. If a couple is engaged, usually betrothed by parents in New Testament times, and she is getting older with the possibility of missing her best child bearing years, they should many. Neither the man or woman is sinning by getting married. “Acting improperly" most likely refers to sexual temptations and acts short of intercourse. 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 Meaningful Singlehood