Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 7:38
So then, he who marries the virgin does well, but he who does not marry her does even better.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church while addressing their written questions about marriage and celibacy. He speaks at a moment of pastoral instruction regarding the voluntary commitment of a guardian or father to a virgin.
The words — The Greek γαμίζων (gamizōn) literally means "giving in marriage," and παρθένον (parthenon) means "virgin." These terms anchor the instruction to the specific act of marrying off a virgin rather than a general command on personal marriage.
The thread — This theme of voluntary singleness appearing as a superior option appears in 1 Corinthians 7:1 and 1 Corinthians 7:8. The surrounding context in 1 Corinthians 7:37 and 1 Corinthians 7:39 frames it within broader instructions on marital bonds and widowhood.
Why it lands — The text states that marrying a virgin is good, but remaining unmarried is better, without prescribing a universal rule. It asks the reader to evaluate personal calling and circumstances without imposing a single standard on all believers.
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
So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
- 1 Corinthians 7:1 Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good to abstain from sexual relations.
- 1 Corinthians 7:8 Now to the unmarried and widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am.
- 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.
- 1 Corinthians 7:37 But the man who is firmly established in his heart and under no constraint, with control over his will and resolve in his heart not to marry the virgin, he will do well.
- 1 Corinthians 7:26 Because of the present crisis, I think it is good for a man to remain as he is.