1 Corinthians 7:26
I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
1 Corinthians 7:26 in other translations
| BSB | Because of the present crisis, I think it is good for a man to remain as he is. |
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| WEB | Therefore I think that because of the distress that is on us, it’s good for a man to remain as he is. |
| ASV | I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is upon us, namely, that it is good for a man to be as he is. |
| YLT | I suppose, therefore, this to be good because of the present necessity, that it is good for a man that the matter be thus: -- |
| DARBY | I think then that this is good, on account of the present necessity, that it is good for a man to remain so as he is. |
| BBE | In my opinion then, because of the present trouble, it is good for a man to keep as he is. |
| Webster | I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. |
What does 1 Corinthians 7:26 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Barnes' Notes
For the present distress. In the present state of trial. The word distress, αναγκην, necessity, denotes calamity, persecution, trial, etc. See Lk 21:23. The word rendered present, (ενεστωσαν,) denotes that which urges on, or that which at that time presses on, or afflicts. Here it is implied,
(1.) that at that time they were subject to trials so severe as to render the advice which he was about to give proper; and,
(2.) that he by no means meant that this should be a permanent arrangement in the church, and of course it cannot be urged as an argument for the monastic system. What the urgent distress of this time was, is not certainly known. If the epistle was written about A.D. 59, (see the Introduction,) it was in the time of Nero; and probably he had already begun to oppress and persecute Christians. At all events, it is evident that the Christians at Corinth were subject to some trials which rendered the cares of the marriage life undesirable.
It is good for a man so to be. The emphasis here is on the word so, (ουτως;) that is, it is best for a man to conduct [himself] in the following manner; the word so referring to the advice which follows. "I advise that he conduct [himself] in the following manner, to wit." Most commentators suppose that it means, as he is; i.e., unmarried; but the interpretation proposed above best suits the connexion. The advice given is in the following verses.
(f) "that it is good" 1Cor 7:1,8
Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:25-35
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…
1 Corinthians 7:26 in the original Greek
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Cross references for 1 Corinthians 7:26
- 1 Corinthians 7:1
Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
- 1 Corinthians 7:8
I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
- Luke 23:28-29
But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children. For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
- 1 Peter 4:17
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
- 1 Corinthians 7:28
But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
- 1 Corinthians 7:35-38
And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. 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. Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
- Matthew 24:19
And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
- Jeremiah 16:2-4
Thou shalt not take thee a wife, neither shalt thou have sons or daughters in this place. For thus saith the Lord concerning the sons and concerning the daughters that are born in this place, and concerning their mothers that bare them, and concerning their fathers that begat them in this land; They shall die of grievous deaths; they shall not be lamented; neither shall they be buried; but they shall be as dung upon the face of the earth: and they shall be consumed by the sword, and by famine; and their carcases shall be meat for the fowls of heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.
- Luke 21:23
But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Context
- 1 Corinthians 7:25
Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
- 1 Corinthians 7:26
I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
- 1 Corinthians 7:27
Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
1 Corinthians 7:26 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Tengo, pues, esto por bueno á causa de la necesidad que apremia, que bueno es al hombre estarse así. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | J’estime donc que ceci est bon, à cause de la nécessité présente, qu’il est bon, dis-je, à l’homme d’être tel qu’il est. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Ich meine nun, daß dies gut sei um der gegenwärtigen Not willen, daß es einem Menschen gut sei, also zu sein. |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Existimo ergo hoc bonum esse propter instantem necessitatem, quoniam bonum est homini sic esse. |