Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 7:8
Now to the unmarried and widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church, speaking directly to the unmarried and widows after establishing celibacy as a personal divine gift (1 Corinthians 7:7).
The words — The text employs ἀγάμοις (agamois) for "unmarried" and χῆραις (chērais) for "widows," paired with καλόν (kalón) meaning "good."
The thread — This instruction aligns with the theme of undivided devotion found in 1 Corinthians 7:32 and 1 Corinthians 7:34, which contrast the focused concerns of the unmarried with the divided interests of the married.
Why it lands — The verse presents remaining unmarried as a beneficial state, while 1 Corinthians 7:9 immediately permits marriage for those who lack self-control, framing the choice as practical rather than absolute.
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
I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
Cross-references
- 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 7:34 and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the work of the Lord, how she can be holy in both body and spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, how she can please her husband.
- 1 Corinthians 7:7 I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
- 1 Corinthians 7:26 Because of the present crisis, I think it is good for a man to remain as he is.
- 1 Corinthians 7:1 Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good to abstain from sexual relations.