Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 7:28

What does 1 Corinthians 7:28 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 7:28 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 7:28 means

Paul clarifies that if someone marries, they have not sinned, nor has a virgin who marries sinned. Yet he candidly notes that marriage brings worldly troubles—added cares, pressures, and sorrows. He wishes to spare them unnecessary distress in a hard season. This frank realism honors marriage while refusing to idealize it. The point is not to frighten people away from marriage but to ensure they count the cost and consider their calling. Wise disciples weigh not only what is lawful but what is beneficial for serving Christ well in their circumstances. Marriage is good; in some contexts, singleness may be more expedient for undistracted devotion.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

If you get married it is not a sin; and if an unmarried woman gets married it is not a sin. But those who do so will have trouble in the flesh. But I will not be hard on you.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

But and if thou mayest marry, thou didst not sin; and if the virgin may marry, she did not sin; and such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I spare you.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But if thou take a wife, thou hast not sinned. And if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned: nevertheless, such shall have tribulation of the flesh. But I spare you.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But if thou shouldest also marry, thou hast not sinned; and if the virgin marry, they have not sinned: but such shall have tribulation in the flesh; but I spare you.

Context

This verse balances verse 27’s counsel not to seek change by affirming the moral goodness of marriage. It acknowledges the additional burdens marriage can bring, which Paul wants to spare them amid “distress.” The next verses (29–31) will frame all such decisions in light of the shortness of time and the transient nature of this world. That perspective undergirds Paul’s preference for minimizing entanglements but keeps him from forbidding marriage. The flow maintains generosity and realism side by side.

v.27Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

v.28This passage

v.29But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:32

    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:

  • 1 Corinthians 7:26

    I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is upon us, namely, that it is good for a man to be as he is.

  • Hebrews 13:4

    Let marriage be had in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled: for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:23

    But I call God for a witness upon my soul, that to spare you I forbare to come unto Corinth.

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