1 Corinthians 7:26

THE MESSAGE

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
This is a time of trouble. So I think it is good for you to stay the way you are.

Revised Standard Version
I think that in view of the present distress it is well for a person to remain as he is.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
I suppose that it is good for the present necessite. For it is good for a ma so to be.

Hebrew Names Version
I think that it is good therefore, because of the distress that is on us, that it is good for a man to be as he is.

International Standard Version
In view of the present crisis, I think it is prudent for a man to stay as he is.1 Corinthians 7:1,8;">[xr]

New American Standard Bible
I think, then, that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is.

New Century Version
The present time is a time of trouble, so I think it is good for you to stay the way you are.

Update Bible Version
I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is on us, [namely,] that it is good for a man to be as he is.

Webster's Bible Translation
I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, [I say], that [it is] good for a man so to be.

English Standard Version
I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is.

World English Bible
I think that it is good therefore, because of the distress that is on us, that it is good for a man to be as he is.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
I apprehend therefore, that this is good for the present distress, that it is good for a man to continue as he is.

Weymouth's New Testament
I think then that, taking into consideration the distress which is now upon us, it is well for a man to remain as he is.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Therfor Y gesse, that this thing is good for the present nede; for it is good to a man to be so.

English Revised Version
I think therefore that this is good by reason of the present distress, [namely], that it is good for a man to be as he is.

Berean Standard Bible
Because of the present crisis, I think it is good for a man to remain as he is.

Contemporary English Version
We are now going through hard times, and I think it is best for you to stay as you are.

Amplified Bible
I think then that because of the impending distress [that is, the pressure of the current trouble], it is good for a man to remain as he is.

American Standard Version
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.

Bible in Basic English
In my opinion then, because of the present trouble, it is good for a man to keep as he is.

Complete Jewish Bible
I suppose that in a time of stress like the present it is good for a person to stay as he is.

Darby Translation
I think then that this is good, on account of the present necessity, that [it is] good for a man to remain so as he is.

Etheridge Translation
26 And I consider that this is good [fn] , on account of the necessity of the time, that it is expedient for a man so to be.

Murdock Translation
And I think this is suitable, on account of the necessity of the times; it is advantageous for a man to remain as he is.

King James Version (1611)
I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distresse, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.

New Living Translation
Because of the present crisis, I think it is best to remain as you are.

New Life Bible
I think, because of the troubles that are coming, it is a good thing for a person not to get married.

New Revised Standard
I think that, in view of the impending crisis, it is well for you to remain as you are.

Geneva Bible (1587)
I suppose then this to bee good for the present necessitie: I meane that it is good for a man so to be.

George Lamsa Translation
And I suppose that this is good for the present necessity, therefore I say, It is better for a man to remain as he is.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
I consider this, then, to be, good, in the circumstances, by reason of the existing distress, - that it is, good for a man, so, to be:

Douay-Rheims Bible
I think therefore that this is good for the present necessity: that it is good for a man so to be.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
I suppose therfore that it is good for the present necessitie: for [I say] it is good for a man so to be.

Good News Translation
Considering the present distress, I think it is better for a man to stay as he is.

Christian Standard Bible®
Because of the present distress, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.

King James Version
I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.

Lexham English Bible
Therefore, I consider this to be good because of the impending distress, that it is good for a man to be thus.

Literal Translation
Then I think this to be good, because of the present necessity: that it is good for a man to be thus.

Young's Literal Translation
I suppose, therefore, this to be good because of the present necessity, that [it is] good for a man that the matter be thus: --

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
I suppose it is good for ye present necessite: for it is good for a man so to be.

Mace New Testament (1729)
I think therefore it is best, considering the present distress, I say, it is best, for a single person to continue so still.

New English Translation
Because of the impending crisis I think it best for you to remain as you are.

New King James Version
I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress--that it is good for a man to remain as he is:

Simplified Cowboy Version
Because life is so hard and temptations are so strong, I think it is best to remain a virgin your entire life.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
I think then that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is.

Legacy Standard Bible
I think then that this is good because of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is.

Contextual Overview

²⁵The Master did not give explicit direction regarding virgins, but as one much experienced in the mercy of the Master and loyal to him all the way, you can trust my counsel. Because of the current pressures on us from all sides, I think it would probably be best to stay just as you are. Are you married? Stay married. Are you unmarried? Don't get married. But there's certainly no sin in getting married, whether you're a virgin or not. All I am saying is that when you marry, you take on additional stress in an already stressful time, and I want to spare you if possible. ²⁹I do want to point out, friends, that time is of the essence. There is no time to waste, so don't complicate your lives unnecessarily. Keep it simple—in marriage, grief, joy, whatever. Even in ordinary things—your daily routines of shopping, and so on. Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out. ³²I want you to live as free of complications as possible. When you're unmarried, you're free to concentrate on simply pleasing the Master. Marriage involves you in all the nuts and bolts of domestic life and in wanting to please your spouse, leading to so many more demands on your attention. The time and energy that married people spend on caring for and nurturing each other, the unmarried can spend in becoming whole and holy instruments of God. I'm trying to be helpful and make it as easy as possible for you, not make things harder. All I want is for you to be able to develop a way of life in which you can spend plenty of time together with the Master without a lot of distractions.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

that: 1 Corinthians 7:1, 1 Corinthians 7:8, 1 Corinthians 7:28, 1 Corinthians 7:35-38, Jeremiah 16:2-4, Matthew 24:19, Luke 21:23, Luke 23:28, Luke 23:29, 1 Peter 4:17

distress: or, necessity

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 35:6 - Ye shall Jeremiah 45:5 - seekest Hosea 9:14 - what Matthew 19:10 - General 1 Corinthians 7:7 - I would 1 Corinthians 7:38 - doeth better 1 Corinthians 7:40 - she Ephesians 5:16 - the days Revelation 14:4 - for

Gill's Notes on the Bible

I suppose, therefore, that this is good,.... The opinion of the apostle, the sentiment of his mind, his judgment in this case were, that it was better, more advisable and eligible, for persons that were single to continue so; his reason for it follows,

for the present necessity; by which is meant not the shortness of life, and the necessity of dying, when husband and wife must part, upon which trouble ensues; nor the various sorrows, cares, encumbrances, trials, and exercises that attend a conjugal state, as bearing and bringing forth, and bringing up children, provision for the family, c. which are common to all, and at all times more or less but the present time of persecution, under which the churches of Christ were; agreeably the Syriac version reads it,

מטל אעקא דזבנא, "because of the necessity of the time", or season: using the very Greek word in text; as the Targumists q also have frequently adopted it into their language, and use the phrase

שעת אעקי, "an hour, or time of necessity", for a time of great affliction and distress, just as the apostle does here; because this was the present case of the Christians, he thought it most prudent for such as were single to remain so; since as they were often obliged to move from place to place, to fly from one city to another, this would be very incommodious for married persons, who might have young children to take care of, and provide for; see Matthew 24:19 upon a like account, the Jewish doctors advise to the same the apostle here does r;

"from the day that the empire is extended, which decrees hard decrees upon us, and causes the law and the commandments to cease from us, and does not suffer us to circumcise children; it is right that we agree among ourselves, שלא לישא אשה, not to marry, and beget children:''

I say it is good for a man so to be; to remain unmarried, to live a single life, to be a virgin; for the word "virgin", as here used, relates to men as well as maidens, and denotes the single state of either. The apostle does not add, "even as I"; as he does in 1 Corinthians 7:8 which seems to confirm the conjecture already made, that he was not a bachelor, but a widower; otherwise he would doubtless have enforced this advice by his own example, as before.

q Targum Jon. & Hieros. in Gen. xxii. 14. & xxxviii. 25. & Targum Sheni in Esth. v. 1. r T. Bab. Bava Bathra, fol. 60. 2.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

I suppose - I think; I give the following advice.

For the present distress - In the present state of trial. The word “distress” (ἀνάγκην anagkēn, necessity) denotes calamity, persecution, trial, etc.; see Luke 21:23. The word rendered “present” (ἐνεστῶσαν enestōsan) denotes that which “urges on,” or that which at that time presses on, or afflicts. Here it is implied:

1. That at that time they were subject to trials so severe as to render the advice which he was about to give proper; and,
2. That he by no means meant that this should be a “permanent arrangement” in the church, and of course it cannot be urged as an argument for the monastic system.

What the “urgent distress” of this time was, is not certainly known. If the Epistle was written about 59 a.d. (see the introduction), it was in the time of Nero; and probably he had already begun to oppress and persecute Christians. At all events, it is evident that the Christians at Corinth were subject to some trials which rendered the cares of the marriage life undesirable.

It is good for a man so to be - The emphasis here is on the word “so” οὕτως houtōs; that is, it is best for a man to conduct “in the following manner;” the word so referring to the advice which follows. “I advise that he conduct in the following manner, to wit.” Most commentators suppose that it means “as he is:” that is, unmarried; but the interpretation proposed above best suits the connection. The advice given is in the following verses.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 26. This is good for the present distress — There was no period in the heathen times when the Church was not under persecutions and afflictions; on some occasions these were more oppressive than at others.

The word αναγκη signifies, necessity, distress, tribulation, and calamity; as it does in Luke 21:23; 2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 12:10. In such times, when the people of God had no certain dwelling-place, when they were lying at the mercy of their enemies without any protection from the state-the state itself often among the persecutors-he who had a family to care for, would find himself in very embarrassed circumstances, as it would be much more easy to provide for his personal safety than to have the care of a wife and children. On this account it was much better for unmarried persons to continue for the present in their celibacy.