Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 7:32
I want you to be free from concern. The unmarried man is concerned about the work of the Lord, how he can please the Lord.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church, addressing believers regarding marital status while the present world order passes away. He speaks as an apostle offering practical counsel to those navigating domestic life.
The words — The text uses ἀμερίμνους (amerimnous), literally "without concern," and μεριμνᾷ (merimna), literally "cares for" or "is concerned about." These terms establish a direct lexical contrast between undivided spiritual focus and divided worldly attention.
The thread — The text's command against anxiety runs alongside Matthew 6:25, Philippians 4:6, and 1 Timothy 5:5. These passages collectively emphasize single-minded reliance on God rather than divided attention to earthly matters.
Why it lands — The text states that the unmarried man focuses on the work of the Lord and how to please Him. It asks the reader to identify and remove unnecessary concerns that compete with that singular devotion.
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 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:
Cross-references
- Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
- 1 Timothy 5:5 The widow who is truly in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers.
- Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
- Psalms 55:22 Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
- Matthew 13:22 The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.