1 Corinthians 7:38
So then, he who marries the virgin does well, but he who does not marry her does even better.
So then
This phrase serves as a conclusion or summation of the preceding arguments. In the context of 1 Corinthians 7, Paul has been discussing marriage and singleness, providing guidance to the Corinthian church. The Greek phrase "ὥστε" (hōste) indicates a logical conclusion, suggesting that what follows is a reasoned outcome of the previous discourse. Paul is drawing a conclusion based on the principles he has laid out regarding marriage and celibacy.

he who marries the virgin
The term "marries" comes from the Greek "γαμίζων" (gamizōn), which implies entering into a covenant relationship. Marriage in the biblical context is a sacred union, reflecting Christ's relationship with the Church. The "virgin" refers to an unmarried woman, emphasizing purity and the traditional view of marriage as the proper context for sexual relations. Historically, marriage was seen as a duty and a means of preserving family lineage and social stability.

does well
The phrase "does well" translates from the Greek "καλῶς ποιεῖ" (kalōs poiei), meaning to act rightly or commendably. Paul acknowledges that marriage is honorable and good, aligning with God's design for companionship and procreation. This affirmation supports the sanctity of marriage, recognizing it as a positive and God-ordained institution.

but he who does not marry her
Here, Paul introduces an alternative perspective. The phrase "does not marry" is from the Greek "μὴ γαμίζων" (mē gamizōn), indicating a choice to remain single. This reflects Paul's earlier discussions in the chapter about the benefits of singleness, particularly in terms of undivided devotion to the Lord. In the historical context, singleness allowed for greater flexibility in ministry and service.

does even better
The phrase "does even better" is translated from "κρεῖσσον ποιεῖ" (kreisson poiei), suggesting a superior choice. Paul is not devaluing marriage but highlighting the advantages of singleness for those who are called to it. This perspective is rooted in the belief that single individuals can focus more fully on spiritual matters without the distractions of marital responsibilities. It reflects a counter-cultural view, especially in a society that often prioritized marriage.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth with guidance on marriage and singleness.

2. The Church in Corinth
A diverse and often troubled early Christian community dealing with issues of morality, spiritual gifts, and church order.

3. The Virgin
Refers to an unmarried woman, often highlighting the cultural and religious expectations of purity and marriage in the early Christian context.
Teaching Points
Understanding Contextual Advice
Paul’s advice is specific to the Corinthian context, where persecution and distress were prevalent. His counsel is not a universal command but a situational recommendation.

The Gift of Singleness
Singleness is presented as a gift that allows for undivided attention to the Lord’s work. It should be embraced by those who feel called to it.

Marriage as a Good Choice
While singleness is praised, marriage is also affirmed as a good and honorable choice. Both states are valid and can be lived out in faithfulness to God.

Prioritizing Devotion to God
Whether married or single, the primary focus should be on serving God wholeheartedly. Our relationship status should not hinder our spiritual growth or service.

Cultural and Personal Considerations
Decisions about marriage should consider personal calling, cultural context, and the current circumstances of life, always seeking God’s guidance.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians 7:38 reflect the cultural and historical context of the Corinthian church?

2. In what ways can singleness be considered a gift, and how can individuals embrace this calling in today’s society?

3. How does the teaching in 1 Corinthians 7:38 align with or differ from the creation account in Genesis 2:18?

4. What are some practical ways to prioritize devotion to God, whether married or single, in our daily lives?

5. How can we discern God’s calling for us regarding marriage or singleness, and what role does community play in this discernment process?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 19:10-12
Jesus discusses the value of celibacy for the sake of the kingdom of heaven, providing a broader context for Paul's teaching on singleness.

1 Corinthians 7:7-9
Earlier in the chapter, Paul expresses his personal preference for singleness, emphasizing the benefits of undivided devotion to the Lord.

Genesis 2:18
The creation account where God declares it is not good for man to be alone, providing a foundational understanding of marriage.

Ephesians 5:31-32
Paul describes marriage as a profound mystery, symbolizing the relationship between Christ and the church.
Concerning Virgins and WidowsH. Bremner, B. D.1 Corinthians 7:25-40
Concerning Virgins and WidowsH. Bremner 1 Corinthians 7:25-40
How to Give AdviceJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 7:25-40
How to Judge in Difficult MattersJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 7:25-40
Works of Supererogation and Counsels of PerfectionPrincipal Edwards.1 Corinthians 7:25-40
An Argument from the Shortness of the TimeR. Tuck 1 Corinthians 7:29-40
Apostolic Counsels for the TimesC. Lipscomb 1 Corinthians 7:29-40
Advice Should be GivenJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 7:32-40
Against CarefulnessC. Simeon, M. A.1 Corinthians 7:32-40
Characteristics of ChristianityJ. W. Burn.1 Corinthians 7:32-40
Free from CaresClerical World1 Corinthians 7:32-40
The Cares of Married LifeJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 7:32-40
Torment of Little CaresClerical Library1 Corinthians 7:32-40
Will-PowerBishop Thorold.1 Corinthians 7:32-40
Without CarefulnessC. H. Spurgeon.1 Corinthians 7:32-40
Duties of Parents to Children as to MarriageE. Hurndall 1 Corinthians 7:36-40
People
Corinthians, Paul
Places
Corinth
Topics
Betrothed, Better, Daughter, Doesn't, Gets, Gives, Giveth, Giving, Keeps, Marriage, Married, Marries, Marry, Refrains, Unmarried, Virgin, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Corinthians 7:24-38

     5736   singleness

1 Corinthians 7:32-38

     5740   virgin

1 Corinthians 7:36-38

     5654   betrothal
     5710   marriage, customs

1 Corinthians 7:36-39

     5709   marriage, purpose

Library
Forms Versus Character
'Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.'--1 COR. vii. 19. 'For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by love.'--GAL. v. 6. 'For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.'--GAL. vi. 16 (R.V.). The great controversy which embittered so much of Paul's life, and marred so much of his activity, turned upon the question whether a heathen man could come
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Slaves and Free
'He that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's free man: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.'--1 COR. vii. 22. This remarkable saying occurs in a remarkable connection, and is used for a remarkable purpose. The Apostle has been laying down the principle, that the effect of true Christianity is greatly to diminish the importance of outward circumstance. And on that principle he bases an advice, dead in the teeth of all the maxims recognised by worldly
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Christian Life
'Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.'--1 COR. vii. 24. You find that three times within the compass of a very few verses this injunction is repeated. 'As God hath distributed to every man,' says the Apostle in the seventeenth verse, 'as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches.' Then again in the twentieth verse, 'Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he is called.' And then finally in our text. The reason for
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Marriage and Celibacy.
Preached January II, 1852. MARRIAGE AND CELIBACY. "But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 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; and they that use this world as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away."--1 Corinthians vii. 29-31. The subject of our exposition last Sunday was an essential portion
Frederick W. Robertson—Sermons Preached at Brighton

A Drama in Five Acts
Dear brethren, the important lesson which we endeavor to teach this morning is just this--that because time is so short, and the things of this world so frail and fleeting, it becomes us always to look at the things which are seen in their true character, and never to build substantial hopes on unsubstantial comforts, nor seek for solid joy from unreal things. In order that I may make this matter very plain, and may be the more likely to enlist your attention, and to secure the friendship of your
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 8: 1863

How to Use the Present Life, and the Comforts of It.
The divisions of this chapter are,--I. The necessity and usefulness of this doctrine. Extremes to be avoided, if we would rightly use the present life and its comforts, sec. 1, 2. II. One of these extremes, viz, the intemperance of the flesh, to be carefully avoided. Four methods of doing so described in order, sec. 3-6. 1. BY such rudiments we are at the same time well instructed by Scripture in the proper use of earthly blessings, a subject which, in forming a scheme of life, is by no mean to be
Archpriest John Iliytch Sergieff—On the Christian Life

Family Religion.
"Lo! where yon cottage whitens through the green, The loveliest feature of a matchless scene; Beneath its shading elm, with pious fear, An aged mother draws her children near, While from the Holy Word, with earnest air, She teaches them the privilege of prayer. Look! how their infant eyes with rapture speak; Mark the flushed lily on the dimpled cheek; Their hearts are filled with gratitude and love, Their hopes are centered in a world above!" The Christian home demands a family religion. This makes
Samuel Philips—The Christian Home

The Apostolic Scriptures.
"And I think that I also have the Spirit of God."--1 Cor. vii. 40. We have seen that the apostolate has an extraordinary significance and occupies a unique position. This position is twofold, viz., temporary, with reference to the founding of the first churches, and permanent, with regard to the churches of all ages. The first must necessarily be temporary, for what was then accomplished can not be repeated. A tree can be planted only once; an organism can be born only once; the planting or founding
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

It Is, Therefore, the Present Necessity that we are to Avoid...
14. It is, therefore, the present necessity that we are to avoid, but yet such as is a hindrance to somewhat of the good things to come; by which necessity the married life is forced to have thought of the things of the world, how to please, the husband the wife or the wife the husband. Not that these separate from the kingdom of God, as there are sins, which are restrained by command, not by counsel, on this account, because it is matter of condemnation not to obey the Lord when He commands: but
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

But Lest any Should Think that of Two Works...
19. But lest any should think that of two works, the good and the better, the rewards will be equal, on this account it was necessary to treat against those, who have so interpreted that saying of the Apostle, "But I think that this is good by reason of the present necessity," [2056] as to say that virginity is of use not in order to the kingdom of heaven, but in order to this present time: as though in that eternal life, they, who had chosen this better part, would have nothing more than the rest
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

After that the Same Apostle Adds, and Says...
15. After that the same Apostle adds, and says, "Thou art bound to a wife, seek not loosening: thou art loosed from a wife, seek not a wife." [2050] Of these two, that, which be set first, pertains unto command, against which it is not lawful to do. For it is not lawful to put away a wife, save because of fornication, [2051] as the Lord Himself saith in the Gospel. But that, which he added, "Thou art loosed from a wife, seek not a wife," is a sentence of counsel, not of command; therefore it is lawful
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Yet He Added, "But Such Shall have Tribulation of the Flesh...
16. Yet he added, "But such shall have tribulation of the flesh, but I spare you:" [2053] in this manner exhorting unto virginity, and continual continence, so as some little to alarm also from marriage, with all modesty, not as from a matter evil and unlawful, but as from one burdensome and troublesome. For it is one thing to incur dishonor of the flesh, and another to have tribulation of the flesh: the one is matter of crime to do, the other of labor to suffer, which for the most part men refuse
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Far be It, Therefore, that the Apostle So Said...
20. Far be it, therefore, that the Apostle so said, unto such as are married or are about to marry, "But I spare you," as if he were unwilling to say what punishment is due to the married in another life. Far be it that she, whom Daniel set free from temporal judgment, be cast by Paul into hell! Far be it that her husband's bed be unto her punishment before the judgment seat of Christ, keeping faith to which she chose, under false charge of adultery, to meet either danger, or death! To what effect
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

For not Even Herein Ought Such as are Married to Compare Themselves with The...
10. For not even herein ought such as are married to compare themselves with the deserts of the continent, in that of them virgins are born: for this is not a good of marriage, but of nature: which was so ordered of God, as that of every sexual intercourse whatever of the two sexes of human kind, whether in due order and honest, or base and unlawful, there is born no female save a virgin, yet is none born a sacred virgin: so it is brought to pass that a virgin is born even of fornication, but a sacred
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Here Some one Will Say, what Has this to do with Holy virginity...
21. Here some one will say, What has this to do with holy virginity, or perpetual continence, the setting forth of which was undertaken in this discourse? To whom I make answer in the first place, what I mentioned above, that the glory of that greater good is greater from the fact that, in order to obtain it, the good of married life is surmounted, not the sin of marriage shunned. Otherwise it would be enough for perpetual continence, not to be specially praised, but only not to be blamed: if it
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Let Marriages Possess their Own Good, not that they Beget Sons...
12. Let marriages possess their own good, not that they beget sons, but that honestly, that lawfully, that modestly, that in a spirit of fellowship they beget them, and educate them, after they have been begotten, with cooperation, with wholesome teaching, and earnest purpose: in that they keep the faith of the couch one with another; in that they violate not the sacrament of wedlock. All these, however, are offices of human duty: but virginal chastity and freedom through pious continence from all
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

And Now by Plainest Witnesses of Divine Scriptures...
22. And now by plainest witnesses of divine Scriptures, such as according to the small measure of our memory we shall be able to remember, let it more clearly appear, that, not on account of the present life of this world, but on account of that future life which is promised in the kingdom of heaven, we are to choose perpetual continence. But who but must observe this in that which the same Apostle says a little after, "Whoso is without a wife has thought of the things of the Lord, how to please
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

And not Without Just Cause a Doubt is Raised...
14. And not without just cause a doubt is raised, whether he said this of all married women, or of such as so many are, as that nearly all may be thought so to be. For neither doth that, which he saith of unmarried women, "She, that is unmarried, thinkest of the things of the Lord, to be holy both in body and spirit:" [1973] pertain unto all unmarried women: whereas there are certain widows who are dead, who live in delights. However, so far as regards a certain distinction and, as it were, character
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

And yet not to These Themselves is Marriage a Sin...
11. And yet not to these themselves is marriage a sin; which, if it were chosen in comparison of fornication, would be a less sin than fornication, and yet would be a sin. But now what shall we say against the most plain speech of the Apostle, saying, "Let her do what she will; she sinneth not, if she be married;" [1966] and, "If thou shalt have taken a wife, thou hast not sinned: and, if a virgin shall have been married, she sinneth not." [1967] Hence surely it is not lawful now to doubt that marriage
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

There is this Further, that in that Very Debt which Married Persons Pay One...
4. There is this further, that in that very debt which married persons pay one to another, even if they demand it with somewhat too great intemperance and incontinence, yet they owe faith alike one to another. Unto which faith the Apostle allows so great right, as to call it "power," saying, "The woman hath not power of her own body, but the man; again in like manner also the man hath not power of his own body, but the woman." [1943] But the violation of this faith is called adultery, when either
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

Further, in the Very Case of the More Immoderate Requirement of the Due Of...
6. Further, in the very case of the more immoderate requirement of the due of the flesh, which the Apostle enjoins not on them by way of command, but allows to them by way of leave, that they have intercourse also beside the cause of begetting children; although evil habits impel them to such intercourse, yet marriage guards them from adultery or fornication. For neither is that committed because of marriage, but is pardoned because of marriage. Therefore married persons owe one another not only
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

Therefore the Good of Marriage Throughout all Nations and all Men Stands in The...
32. Therefore the good of marriage throughout all nations and all men stands in the occasion of begetting, and faith of chastity: but, so far as pertains unto the People of God, also in the sanctity of the Sacrament, by reason of which it is unlawful for one who leaves her husband, even when she has been put away, to be married to another, so long as her husband lives, no not even for the sake of bearing children: and, whereas this is the alone cause, wherefore marriage takes place, not even where
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

Therefore as Many Women as There are Now...
19. Therefore as many women as there are now, unto whom it is said, "if they contain not, let them be married, [1986] ^" are not to be compared to the holy women then, even when they married. Marriage itself indeed in all nations is for the same cause of begetting sons, and of what character soever these may be afterward, yet was marriage for this purpose instituted, that they may be born in due and honest order. But men, who contain not, as it were ascend unto marriage by a step of honesty: but
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

But I Marvel, If, as it is Allowed to Put Away a Wife Who...
7. But I marvel, if, as it is allowed to put away a wife who is an adulteress, so it be allowed, having put her away, to marry another. For holy Scripture causes a hard knot in this matter, in that the Apostle says, that, by commandment of the Lord, the wife ought not to depart from her husband, but, in case she shall have departed, to remain unmarried, or to be reconciled to her husband; [1950] whereas surely she ought not to depart and remain unmarried, save from an husband that is an adulterer,
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

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