Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 7:35

What does 1 Corinthians 7:35 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 7:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 7:35 means

Paul assures them that he speaks for their benefit, not to lay a snare. His aim is propriety and undistracted devotion to the Lord. He wants believers to live in a seemly, fitting way that promotes sustained, focused worship and service. Rules for their own sake are not his interest; spiritual freedom unencumbered by avoidable anxieties is. He respects conscience and circumstance while urging choices that maximize availability to God. This pastoral heart guards against misunderstanding his counsel as restrictive. Instead, it is meant to free them from needless burdens so they may walk in simplicity, holiness, and purpose, whether single or married.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now I say this for your profit; not to make things hard for you, but because of what is right, and so that you may be able to give all your attention to the things of the Lord.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And this for your own profit I say: not that I may cast a noose upon you, but for the seemliness and devotedness to the Lord, undistractedly,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And this I speak for your profit, not to cast a snare upon you, but for that which is decent and which may give you power to attend upon the Lord, without impediment.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But I say this for your own profit; not that I may set a snare before you, but for what [is] seemly, and waiting on the Lord without distraction.

Context

This verse concludes the rationale presented in verses 32–34 about the comparative freedoms and cares of the unmarried and married. It functions as a summary statement before Paul turns to a specific application in verses 36–38 concerning decisions about virgin daughters. By clarifying his intent, Paul keeps the church from treating his advice as a legalistic trap and cues them to read the next instructions with the same goal in mind: what arrangement best serves undistracted devotion to the Lord in their present distress.

v.34and 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.

v.35This passage

v.36But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin daughter, if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requireth, let him do what he will; he sinneth not; let them marry.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 7:28

    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.

  • Luke 8:14

    And that which fell among the thorns, these are they that have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.

  • Titus 2:3

    that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;

  • Philippians 4:8

    Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:33

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

  • 1 Corinthians 7:36

    But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin daughter, if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requireth, let him do what he will; he sinneth not; let them marry.

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