Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 7:33
But the married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church to address the practical realities of marriage and singleness. He contrasts the undivided spiritual focus of the unmarried with the divided attention required of married believers.
The words — μεριμνᾷ (merimna) means "he cares for" or "is concerned about," and κόσμου (kosmou) translates to "world." These terms describe the married man's necessary attention to earthly responsibilities.
The thread — The theme of marital duty appears in 1 Peter 3:7, which commands husbands to honor their wives, and 1 Timothy 5:8, which requires providers to care for their households. Colossians 3:19 further instructs husbands to love their wives without harshness.
Why it lands — The text states that married believers will naturally divide their attention between pleasing their spouse and serving God. It requires them to manage these earthly obligations without allowing them to eclipse their primary devotion to the Lord.
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 he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 3:7 Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
- Colossians 3:19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
- 1 Timothy 5:8 If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
- Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her
- 1 Samuel 1:4 And whenever the day came for Elkanah to present his sacrifice, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters.
- Nehemiah 5:1 About that time there was a great outcry from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews.
- Luke 12:22 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear.
- 1 Corinthians 7:3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:11 and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.