Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 7:30
those who weep, as if they did not; those who are joyful, as if they were not; those who make a purchase, as if they had nothing;
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church regarding the brevity of the present age. He speaks to believers navigating ordinary human experiences while anticipating the imminent passing of the current world order.
The words — The Greek κλαίοντες (klaiontes) translates literally to "weeping," modified by ὡς (hōs) "as if" and μὴ (mē) "not." This syntactic structure frames emotional states as temporary conditions that should not dictate a believer's functional engagement with life.
The thread — This posture of detached participation aligns with Ecclesiastes 3:4's division of appointed times for mourning and dancing, Luke 6:21's reversal of present weeping into future laughter, and John 16:22's movement from temporary sorrow to permanent joy.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to participate in normal human experiences without granting them ultimate authority over one's identity or security. Believers must maintain functional detachment from grief, joy, and material acquisition while awaiting the end of the present age.
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
And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
Cross-references
- Ecclesiastes 3:4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
- Luke 6:21 Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
- John 16:22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
- Psalms 30:5 For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.
- Psalms 126:5 Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy.
- Luke 6:25 Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
- Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”
- Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face and remove the disgrace of His people from the whole earth. For the LORD has spoken.
- Isaiah 30:19 O people in Zion who dwell in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will surely be gracious when you cry for help; when He hears, He will answer you.
- Luke 16:25 But Abraham answered, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, while you are in agony.