1 Corinthians 7:31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

◄ 1 Corinthians 7:31 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

English Standard Version
and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

New American Standard Bible
and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.

King James Bible
And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and those who use the world as though they did not make full use of it. For this world in its current form is passing away.

International Standard Version
and those who use the things in the world as though they were not dependent on them. For the world in its present form is passing away.

American Standard Version
and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And they that use this world, as if they used it not: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

Darby Bible Translation
and they that use the world, as not disposing of it as their own; for the fashion of this world passes.

Young's Literal Translation
and those using this world, as not using it up; for passing away is the fashion of this world.

Cross References

Psalm 39:6
Surely every man walks in a vain show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heaps up riches, and knows not who shall gather them.

1 Corinthians 7:29
But this I say, brothers, the time is short: it remains, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;

1 Corinthians 7:30
And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;

1 Corinthians 9:18
What is my reward then? Truly that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

Hebrews 12:27
And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

James 1:10
But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

1 John 2:17
And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God stays for ever.

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Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

7:25-35 Considering the distress of those times, the unmarried state was best. Notwithstanding, the apostle does not condemn marriage. How opposite are those to the apostle Paul who forbid many to marry, and entangle them with vows to remain single, whether they ought to do so or not! He exhorts all Christians to holy indifference toward the world. As to relations; they must not set their hearts on the comforts of the state. As to afflictions; they must not indulge the sorrow of the world: even in sorrow the heart may be joyful. As to worldly enjoyments; here is not their rest. As to worldly employment; those that prosper in trade, and increase in wealth, should hold their possessions as though they held them not. As to all worldly concerns; they must keep the world out of their hearts, that they may not abuse it when they have it in their hands. All worldly things are show; nothing solid. All will be quickly gone. Wise concern about worldly interests is a duty; but to be full of care, to have anxious and perplexing care, is a sin. By this maxim the apostle solves the case whether it were advisable to marry. That condition of life is best for every man, which is best for his soul, and keeps him most clear of the cares and snares of the world. Let us reflect on the advantages and snares of our own condition in life; that we may improve the one, and escape as far as possible all injury from the other. And whatever cares press upon the mind, let time still be kept for the things of the Lord.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

31. not abusing it—not abusing it by an overmuch using of it. The meaning of "abusing" here is, not so much perverting, as using it to the full [Bengel]. We are to use it, "not to take our fill" of its pursuits as our chief aim (compare Lu 10:40-42). As the planets while turning on their own axis, yet revolve round the sun; so while we do our part in our own worldly sphere, God is to be the center of all our desires.

fashion—the present fleeting form. Compare Ps 39:6, "vain show"; Ps 73:20, "a dream"; Jas 4:14, "a vapor."

passeth away—not merely shall pass away, but is now actually passing away. The image is drawn from a shifting scene in a play represented on the stage (1Jo 2:17). Paul inculcates not so much the outward denial of earthly things, as the inward spirit whereby the married and the rich, as well as the unmarried and the poor, would be ready to sacrifice all for Christ's sake.