Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 7:40
In my judgment, however, she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses widows in the Corinthian church immediately after noting their freedom to remarry a believer in 1 Corinthians 7:39. He delivers personal counsel regarding their continued singleness.
The words — The Greek μακαριωτέρα (makariōtera) literally means "more blessed" or "happier," while δέ (de) functions as "however" to mark a transition. The text states that remaining in her current state brings greater happiness, followed by a claim of apostolic spiritual discernment.
The thread — This judgment echoes Paul’s repeated preference for singleness in 1 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Corinthians 7:8, and 1 Corinthians 7:25. Each passage grounds his advice in personal discernment rather than a direct divine command.
Why it lands — The text presents singleness as a practical advantage for undivided service, not a mandatory spiritual ideal. It requires the reader to evaluate personal circumstances against apostolic counsel without elevating either state to universal law.
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 she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
Cross-references
- 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 7:25 Now about virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
- 1 Corinthians 7:6 I say this as a concession, not as a command.
- 1 Corinthians 7:35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but in order to promote proper decorum and undivided devotion to the Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 9:1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord?
- 1 Corinthians 14:36 Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones it has reached?
- 2 Corinthians 10:8 For even if I boast somewhat excessively about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed.
- 2 Corinthians 12:11 I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:8 Anyone, then, who rejects this command does not reject man but God, the very One who gives you His Holy Spirit.