Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 7:29
What I am saying, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none;
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian believers as he navigates practical questions about marriage and singleness in his letter. He delivers this instruction during a pastoral discussion about enduring present hardships without compromising eternal priorities.
The words — καιρὸς (kairos) denotes a decisive season or appointed time, and συνεσταλμένος (sunestalmenos) literally means shortened or compressed. These terms frame the present era as a brief window demanding altered priorities.
The thread — The concept of a compressed timeframe appears in 1 Corinthians 7:31, which extends the instruction to weeping, rejoicing, and buying as if unattached. Similar urgency marks Romans 13:11, which urges believers to wake from slumber because salvation is near, and 1 John 2:17, which notes the world and its desires are passing away.
Why it lands — The text commands married believers to engage in marital life without letting it dominate their ultimate allegiance. Readers must recognize that present circumstances require detached participation rather than permanent attachment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
Cross-references
- 1 John 2:17 The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.
- Romans 13:11 And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
- 1 Corinthians 7:31 and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
- Hebrews 13:13 Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore.
- James 4:13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.”
- Ecclesiastes 12:13 When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man.
- 1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so that you can pray.
- 2 Peter 3:8 Beloved, do not let this one thing escape your notice: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.
- Psalms 39:4 “Show me, O LORD, my end and the measure of my days. Let me know how fleeting my life is.
- Psalms 103:15 As for man, his days are like grass—he blooms like a flower of the field;