1 Corinthians 7:31

THE MESSAGE

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
You should use the things of the world without letting them become important to you. This is how you should live, because this world, the way it is now, will soon be gone.

Revised Standard Version
and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the form of this world is passing away.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
and they yt vse this worlde be as though they vsed it not. For the fassion of this worlde goeth awaye.

Hebrew Names Version
and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away.

International Standard Version
and those who use the things in the world as though they were not dependent on them. For the world in its present form is passing away.Psalm 39:6; 1 Corinthians 9:18; James 1:10; 4:14; 1 Peter 1:24; 4:7; 1 John 2:17;">[xr]

New American Standard Bible
and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the present form of this world is passing away.

New Century Version
Those who use the things of the world should live as if they were not using them, because this world in its present form will soon be gone.

Update Bible Version
and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passes away.

Webster's Bible Translation
And they that use this world, as not abusing [it]. For the fashion of this world passeth away.

English Standard Version
and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

World English Bible
and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
and they that buy, as if they possessed not; And they that use this world, as not abusing it; for the fashion of this world passeth away: Now I would have you without carefulness.

Weymouth's New Testament
and those who use the world as not using it to the full. For the world as it now exists is passing away.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
and thei that vsen this world, as thei that vsen not. For whi the figure of this world passith.

English Revised Version
and those that use the world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

Berean Standard Bible
and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

Contemporary English Version
It won't make any difference how much good you are getting from this world or how much you like it. This world as we know it is now passing away.

Amplified Bible
and those who use the world [taking advantage of its opportunities], as though they did not make full use of it. For the outward form of this world [its present social and material nature] is passing away.

American Standard Version
and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

Bible in Basic English
And for those who make use of the world, not to be using it fully; for this world's way of life will quickly come to an end.

Complete Jewish Bible
and those who deal in worldly affairs as if not engrossed in them — because the present scheme of things in this world won't last much longer.

Darby Translation
and they that use the world, as not disposing of it as their own; for the fashion of this world passes.

Etheridge Translation
31 and they who use this world should not exceed the just use [fn] ; for the fashion of this world passeth away.

Murdock Translation
and those occupied with this world, not going beyond the just using: for the fashion of this world is passing away.

King James Version (1611)
And they that vse this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

New Living Translation
Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.

New Life Bible
While you live in this world, live as if the world has no hold on you. The way of this world will soon be gone.

New Revised Standard
and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

Geneva Bible (1587)
And they that vse this worlde, as though they vsed it not: for the fashion of this worlde goeth away.

George Lamsa Translation
And those who make use of this world should not abuse it, for the fashion of this world is passing away.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, they who use the world, as though they used it not to the full, - for the fashion of this world passeth away;

Douay-Rheims Bible
And they that use this world, as if they used it not. For the fashion of this world passeth away.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
And they that vse this worlde, as though they vsed it not: For the fashion of this worlde goeth away.

Good News Translation
those who deal in material goods, as though they were not fully occupied with them. For this world, as it is now, will not last much longer.

Christian Standard Bible®
and those who use the world as though they did not make full use of it. For this world in its current form is passing away.

King James Version
And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

Lexham English Bible
and those who make use of the world as if they do not make full use of it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

Literal Translation
and those using this world as not abusing it ; for the mode of this world is passing away.

Young's Literal Translation
and those using this world, as not using [it] up; for passing away is the fashion of this world.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
& they that vse this worlde, be as though they vsed it not. For the fasshion off this worlde passeth awaye.

Mace New Testament (1729)
and they that possess this world, as those that can't make an ill use of it. for the scene of this world is continually shifting. I would have you free from anxiety.

New English Translation
those who use the world as though they were not using it to the full. For the present shape of this world is passing away.

New King James Version
and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.

Simplified Cowboy Version
This world and the things in it will not be here much longer. Don't complicate your life with temporary thoughts, feelings, and actions.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away.

Legacy Standard Bible
and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it. For the form of this world is passing away.

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

use: 1 Corinthians 9:18, Ecclesiastes 2:24, Ecclesiastes 2:25, Ecclesiastes 3:12, Ecclesiastes 3:13, Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, Ecclesiastes 9:7-10, Ecclesiastes 11:2, Ecclesiastes 11:9, Ecclesiastes 11:10, Matthew 24:48-50, Matthew 25:14-29, Luke 12:15-21, Luke 16:1, Luke 16:2, Luke 19:17-26, Luke 21:34, 1 Timothy 6:17, 1 Timothy 6:18, James 5:1-5

for: Psalms 39:6, Psalms 73:20, Ecclesiastes 1:4, James 1:10, James 1:11, James 4:14, 1 Peter 1:24, 1 Peter 4:7, 1 John 2:17

the fashion: ן [Strong's G3588], ףקחלב [Strong's G4976], the form or appearance. Grotius remarks that the apostle's expression is borrowed from the theatre, where פן [Strong's G3588], ףקחלב [Strong's G4976], פחע ףךחםחע [Strong's G4633], נבסבדוי means that the scene changes, and presents an appearance entirely new.

Reciprocal: Luke 4:5 - taking Acts 25:23 - with Revelation 21:4 - the former

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And they that use this world, as not abusing it,.... Such as have a large affluence of the things of this world, should use them in a moderate and temperate manner; should not squander them away extravagantly, or spend them on their lusts, and use them intemperately, which is to abuse them:

for the fashion of this world passeth away; not the nature, matter, and substance, but the figure and form of it; for after this world is burnt up, a new one, as to form and fashion, will arise, in much more beauty and glory; all that looks glorious and beautiful in the present world, as riches, honour, c. are all mere show and appearance, having nothing solid and substantial in them and are all fluid and transitory, are passing away; there is nothing firm and permanent; in a little time, all will be at an end, the world itself, as to its present form, and all that is in it; when there will be no more marrying, nor giving in marriage, no more buying and selling, no more of the present changes and vicissitudes of prosperity and adversity, of joy and sorrow; these scenes will be all removed, and quite a new face of things appear: wherefore what the apostle exhorts unto, with respect to present conduct and behaviour, must be right and good.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And they that use this world - That make a necessary and proper use of it to furnish raiment, food, clothing, medicine, protection, etc. It is right so to use the world, for it was made for these purposes. The word using here refers to the lawful use of it (χρώμενοι chrōmenoi).

As not abusing it - καταχρώμενοι katachrōmenoi. The preposition κατα kata, in composition here has the sense of “too much, too freely,” and is taken not merely in an intensive sense, but to denote evil, the abuse of the world. It means that we are not to use it to EXCesS; we are not to make it a mere matter of indulgences, or to make that the main object and purpose of our living. We are not to give our appetites to indulgence; our bodies to riot; our days and nights to feasting and revelry.

For the fashion of this world - (τὸ σχῆμα to schēma.) The form, the appearance. In 1 John 2:17, it is said that “the world passeth away and the lust thereof.” The worst “fashion” here is probably taken from the shifting scenes of the drama where, when the scene changes, the imposing and splendid pageantry passes off. The form, the fashion of the world is like a splendid, gilded pageant. It is unreal and illusive. It continues but a little time; and soon the scene changes, and the fashion that allured and enticed us now passes away, and we pass to other scenes.

Passeth away - (παράγει paragei). Passes off like the splendid, gaudy, shifting scenes of the stage. What a striking description of the changing, unstable, and unreal pageantry of this world! Now it is frivilous, splendid, gorgeous, lovely; tomorrow it is gone, and is succeeded by new actors and new scenes. Now all is busy with one set of actors; tomorrow a new company appears, and again they are succeeded by another, and all are engaged in scenes that are equally changing, vain, gorgeous, and delusive. A simliar idea is presented in the well known and beautiful description of the great British dramatist:

“All the world’s a stage,

And all the men and women merely players.

They have their exits and their entrances,

And one man in his time plays many parts.”

If such be the character of the scenes in which we are engaged, how little should we fix our affections on them, and how anxious should we be to be prepared for the “real and unchanging” scenes of another world!

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 31. And they that use this world — Let them who have earthly property or employments discharge conscientiously their duties, from a conviction of the instability of earthly things. Make a right use of every thing, and pervert nothing from its use. To use a thing is to employ it properly in order to accomplish the end to which it refers. To abuse a thing signifies to pervert it from that use. Pass through things temporal, so as not to lose those which are eternal.

For the fashion of this world — Το σχημα του κοσμον τουτου signifies properly the present state or constitution of things; the frame of the world, that is, the world itself. But often the term κοσμος, world, is taken to signify the Jewish state and polity; the destruction of this was then at hand, and this the Holy Spirit might then signify to the apostle.