Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 7:34

What does 1 Corinthians 7:34 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 7:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 7:34 means

Paul parallels the comparison for women: the unmarried woman and the virgin can focus on the things of the Lord, pursuing holiness in body and spirit; the married woman is concerned with worldly matters—how to please her husband. Again, this is descriptive, not dismissive. Marriage brings obligations that naturally divide attention. Singleness can provide room for specialized service and deeper consecration in some respects. Paul values this for the sake of holy living and ministry. Yet he neither idolizes singleness nor denigrates marriage; he straightforwardly presents the differing burdens and opportunities. Each woman, like each man, should steward her condition unto the Lord with integrity and joy.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and is divided. So also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and is divided. So also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the wife is not the same as the virgin. The virgin gives her mind to the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in body and in spirit: but the married woman takes thought for the things of the world, how she may give pleasure to her husband.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

The wife and the virgin have been distinguished: the unmarried is anxious for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit, and the married is anxious for the things of the world, how she shall please the husband.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And the unmarried woman and the virgin thinketh on the things of the Lord: that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she that is married thinketh on the things of the world: how she may please her husband.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

There is a difference between the wife and the virgin. The unmarried cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but she that has married cares for the things of the world, how she shall please her husband.

Context

This verse mirrors verses 32–33 for women, reinforcing the pattern of balanced contrast. It undergirds Paul’s subsequent statement in verse 35 that his goal is their advantage and undistracted devotion, not to trap them. This prepares the ground for the practical, culturally specific instructions in verses 36–38 about fathers or guardians deciding regarding their virgin daughters. The flow moves from general principles to particular cases, maintaining the central aim of holy, focused service to the Lord.

v.33but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife,

v.34This passage

v.35And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Corinthians 11:28

    Besides those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me daily, anxiety for all the churches.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:20

    for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.

  • Luke 2:36

    And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity,

  • 2 Corinthians 7:11

    For behold, this selfsame thing, that ye were made sorry after a godly sort, what earnest care it wrought in you, yea what clearing of yourselves, yea what indignation, yea what fear, yea what longing, yea what zeal, yea what avenging! In everything ye approved yourselves to be pure in the matter.

  • Romans 6:13

    neither present your members unto sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

  • Philippians 1:20

    according to my earnest expectation and hope, that in nothing shall I be put to shame, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.

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