But I would have you without carefulness. In these words he reverts to 1 Corinthians 7:28 , after the digression about the transiency of earthly relations. If they were "overcharged... with cares of this life," the day of the Lord might easily "come upon them unawares" ( Luke 21:34 ). read more
Free from cares. I. NOTE THE PRECISE MEANING AND DRIFT OF THIS SHORT SENTENCE . It refers to the anxieties of married life. Neither in Old Testament nor New is any disrespect shown to the state of matrimony. St. Paul himself, when writing of the reciprocal duties of life, gives most sympathetic counsels to husbands and wives; and, far from placing marriage in an unfavourable light as compared with celibacy, describes it as a sign of the sacred union of Christ and the... read more
But I would have you - I would advise you to such a course of life as should leave you without carefulness My advice is regulated by that wish, and that wish guides me in giving it.Without carefulness - (ἀμερίμνους amerimnous). Without anxiety, solicitude, care; without such a necessary attention to the things of this life as to take off your thoughts and affections from heavenly objects; see the notes on Matthew 6:25-31.careth for the things that belong to the Lord - Margin, “The things of... read more
1 Corinthians 7:32-35. But Or now; I would have you During this flying moment; without carefulness Or anxiety, amidst all these uncertainties: without any encumbrance or distraction of your thoughts, about the affairs of this short uncertain life, in order that you may freely and cheerfully wait on God in a due attendance on all his ordinances, and may serve him according to his will; and therefore, for the present, I advise you to remain single as you are. For he that is unmarried If... read more
The unmarried and widows (7:25-40)Corinth was at that time troubled by some unusually distressing circumstances. In view of this, Paul felt it best for people, whether married or single, to stay as they were for the time being. The responsibilities that go with marriage and a family would only add to the current difficulties (25-28). This was not the time for people to create further problems for themselves by making changes or becoming more involved in worldly affairs. It was a time to remain... read more
have you = that you should be. without carefulness = free from anxiety. Greek. amerimnos. Only here and Matthew 28:14 . careth . Gr merimnao. Occurs twelve times in the Gospels translated "take thought", save Luke 10:41 (be careful); four times in this chapter; 1 Corinthians 12:25 .Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:20 ; Philippians 4:6 . that belong to = of. App-17 . read more
But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord.This was the basis of Paul's recommendation of the single status for those whose self-restraint made it possible, the unencumbered being able more wholeheartedly to serve the interests of true religion than those pressed down with cares and obligations. read more
32. without carefulness—I would have you to be not merely "without trouble," but "without distracting cares" (so the Greek). careth—if he uses aright the advantages of his condition. read more
3. Advice concerning virgins 7:25-40The second occurrence of the phrase peri de ("now concerning") occurs in 1 Corinthians 7:25 and indicates another subject about which the Corinthians had written Paul (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:1). This was the subject of single women. This section belongs with the rest of chapter 7 because this subject relates closely to what immediately precedes. Paul continued to deal with questions about marriage that the Corinthians’ asceticism raised. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:29-40
An argument from the shortness of the time. It is impossible to understand a large number of the apostolic allusions unless we recognize the early Church conception that the Christian dispensation would be very brief, and in all probability closed and completed in the first century, by the expected reappearance of the Lord Jesus Christ. This idea certainly prevailed among the disciples. To some extent at least it was shared by the apostles; but it is evident that they found it necessary to... read more