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Sunday, October 20th, 2024
the Week of Proper 24 / Ordinary 29
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THE MESSAGE

1 Corinthians 7:7

Sometimes I wish everyone were single like me—a simpler life in many ways! But celibacy is not for everyone any more than marriage is. God gives the gift of the single life to some, the gift of the married life to others.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Celibacy;   Chastity;   Continence;   Example;   Gifts from God;   Marriage;   Stoicism;   Scofield Reference Index - Holy Spirit;   Thompson Chain Reference - Example;   Paul's;   The Topic Concordance - Marriage;   Sexual Activities;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Gifts of God, the;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Wife;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Marriage;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Polygamy;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Adultery;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Sex, Biblical Teaching on;   1 Corinthians;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Marriage;   Spiritual Gifts;   Woman;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Abstinence;   Eunuch ;   Example;   Gifts;   Marriage;   Marriage (Ii.);   Woman;   Worldliness;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - 11 To Desire, Will, Purpose;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Corinthians;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Gift;   Proper;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
I wish everyone could be like me. But God has given each person a different ability. He makes some able to live one way, others to live a different way.
Revised Standard Version
I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own special gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
For I wolde that all men were as I my selfe am: but every man hath his proper gyfte of God one after this maner another after that.
Hebrew Names Version
Yet I wish that all men were like me. However each man has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind.
International Standard Version
I would like everyone to be like me. However, each person has a special gift from God, one this and another that.Matthew 19:12; Acts 26:29; 1 Corinthians 9:5; 12:11;">[xr]
New American Standard Bible
Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each has his own gift from God, one in this way, and another in that.
New Century Version
I wish that everyone were like me, but each person has his own gift from God. One has one gift, another has another gift.
Update Bible Version
Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Nevertheless each man has his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.
Webster's Bible Translation
For I would that all men were as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.
English Standard Version
I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
World English Bible
Yet I wish that all men were like me. However each man has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
but every one hath his proper gift from God, one after this manner, another after that.
Weymouth's New Testament
Yet I would that everybody lived as I do; but each of us has his own special gift from God--one in one direction and one in another.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For Y wole, that alle men be as my silf. But eche man hath his propre yifte of God; oon thus, and another thus.
English Revised Version
Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.
Berean Standard Bible
I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
Contemporary English Version
I wish that all of you were like me, but God has given different gifts to each of us.
Amplified Bible
I wish that all the people were as I am; but each person has his own gift from God, one of this kind and one of that.
American Standard Version
Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.
Bible in Basic English
It is my desire that all men might be even as I am. But every man has the power of his special way of life given him by God, one in this way and one in that.
Complete Jewish Bible
Actually, I wish everyone were like me; but each has his own gift from God, one this, another that.
Darby Translation
Now I wish all men to be even as myself: but every one has his own gift of God: one man thus, and another thus.
Etheridge Translation
For I would that all men were as I am, in chastity. But every man hath the gift given to him from Aloha, this one thus, and the other thus.
Murdock Translation
For I would that all men might be like me in purity. But every man is endowed with his gift of God; one thus, and another so.
King James Version (1611)
For I would that all men were euen as I my selfe: but euery man hath his proper gift of God, one after this maner, and another after that.
New Living Translation
But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another.
New Life Bible
I wish everyone were as I am, but each has his own gift from God. One has one gift. Another has another gift.
New Revised Standard
I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has a particular gift from God, one having one kind and another a different kind.
Geneva Bible (1587)
For I woulde that all men were euen as I my selfe am: but euery man hath his proper gift of God, one after this maner, and another after that.
George Lamsa Translation
For I would that all men were like myself in purity. But every man has his proper gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Besides, I desire all men to be, even as myself, - but, each one, hath his, personal, gift from God, one, after this manner, and, another, after that.
Douay-Rheims Bible
For I would that all men were even as myself. But every one hath his proper gift from God: one after this manner, and another after that.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For I woulde that all men were as I my selfe [am:] but euery man hath his proper gift of God, one after this maner, another after that.
Good News Translation
Actually I would prefer that all of you were as I am; but each one has a special gift from God, one person this gift, another one that gift.
Christian Standard Bible®
I wish that all people were as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one person has this gift, another has that.
King James Version
For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
Lexham English Bible
I wish all people could be like myself, but each one has his own gift from God, one in this way and another in that way.
Literal Translation
But I desire all men also to be as myself. But each has his own gift from God, one this way, and one that way.
Young's Literal Translation
for I wish all men to be even as I myself [am]; but each his own gift hath of God, one indeed thus, and one thus.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Howbeit I wolde rather yt all me were as I am. Neuertheles euery one hath his proper gifte of God: one thus, another so.
Mace New Testament (1729)
for I wish that all men were as I myself am: but every man hath his proper gift from God, some one way, and some another.
New English Translation
I wish that everyone was as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one this way, another that.
New King James Version
For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.
Simplified Cowboy Version
But I'm telling you the truth, it'd be better if y'all were just single like me. It'd save you a whole lot of discomfort. But being single is a special gift from God, no more or less than the other gifts he gives.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.
Legacy Standard Bible
Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one this way, and another that.

Contextual Overview

1 Now, getting down to the questions you asked in your letter to me. First, Is it a good thing to have sexual relations? 2Certainly—but only within a certain context. It's good for a man to have a wife, and for a woman to have a husband. Sexual drives are strong, but marriage is strong enough to contain them and provide for a balanced and fulfilling sexual life in a world of sexual disorder. The marriage bed must be a place of mutuality—the husband seeking to satisfy his wife, the wife seeking to satisfy her husband. Marriage is not a place to "stand up for your rights." Marriage is a decision to serve the other, whether in bed or out. Abstaining from sex is permissible for a period of time if you both agree to it, and if it's for the purposes of prayer and fasting—but only for such times. Then come back together again. Satan has an ingenious way of tempting us when we least expect it. I'm not, understand, commanding these periods of abstinence—only providing my best counsel if you should choose them. 7 Sometimes I wish everyone were single like me—a simpler life in many ways! But celibacy is not for everyone any more than marriage is. God gives the gift of the single life to some, the gift of the married life to others. 8I do, though, tell the unmarried and widows that singleness might well be the best thing for them, as it has been for me. But if they can't manage their desires and emotions, they should by all means go ahead and get married. The difficulties of marriage are preferable by far to a sexually tortured life as a single.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

I would: St. Paul evidently gave this advice in reference to the necessities of the church, or what he calls - 1 Corinthians 7:26 the present distress; for it would be perfectly absurd to imagine that an inspired apostle would in the general, discountenance marriage, since it was of the greatest importance to the existence and happiness of future generations, and expressly agreeable to a Divine institution. 1 Corinthians 9:5, 1 Corinthians 9:15, Acts 26:29

But: 1 Corinthians 12:11, Matthew 19:11, Matthew 19:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 30:34 - General 1 Corinthians 4:7 - and what 1 Corinthians 7:17 - as God 1 Timothy 2:8 - I will

Cross-References

Genesis 6:18
"But I'm going to establish a covenant with you: You'll board the ship, and your sons, your wife and your sons' wives will come on board with you. You are also to take two of each living creature, a male and a female, on board the ship, to preserve their lives with you: two of every species of bird, mammal, and reptile—two of everything so as to preserve their lives along with yours. Also get all the food you'll need and store it up for you and them."
Genesis 7:1
Next God said to Noah, "Now board the ship, you and all your family—out of everyone in this generation, you're the righteous one.
Genesis 7:13
That's the day Noah and his sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth, accompanied by his wife and his sons' wives, boarded the ship. And with them every kind of wild and domestic animal, right down to all the kinds of creatures that crawl and all kinds of birds and anything that flies. They came to Noah and to the ship in pairs—everything and anything that had the breath of life in it, male and female of every creature came just as God had commanded Noah. Then God shut the door behind him.
Proverbs 22:3
A prudent person sees trouble coming and ducks; a simpleton walks in blindly and is clobbered.
Hebrews 11:7
By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn't see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For I would that all men were even as I myself,.... The apostle speaks not of his state and condition, as married or unmarried, for it is not certain which he was; some think he had a wife, others not: it looks, however, as if he had not at this time, as appears from 1 Corinthians 7:8 but be it which it will, it can hardly be thought he should wish all men to be in either state, either all married, or all unmarried; but he speaks of the gift of continency, which he had, as the following words show; and this he desires for all men, that they might not be in any danger from Satan's temptations, and that they might be more fit for and intent upon the service of Christ. The Syriac version adds, בדכיותא in "purity", or "chastity"; which may be preserved in a marriage state, as well as in single life:

but every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that: all the gifts of nature and grace which men have, they have of God, and not of themselves; and every man has a gift proper to himself; no one man has all gifts, but some one, and some another; and with respect to the case in hand, one man has the gift of continency, another the gift of marriage; all cannot contain themselves, only to whom it is given: and all are not disposed to marriage; some are inclined to a single life, and some to a marriage state; and of those that are married, some can abstain from the use of the marriage bed longer than others, without being in danger of being tempted by Satan for their incontinency; and such a disposition is desirable.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For I would ... - I would prefer.

That all men ... - That Paul was unmarried is evident from 1 Corinthians 9:5. But he does not refer to this fact here. When he wishes that all people were like himself, he evidently does not intend that he would prefer that all should be unmarried, for this would be against the divine institution, and against his own precepts elsewhere. But he would be glad if all people had control over their passions and propensities as he had; had the gift of continence, and could abstain from marriage when circumstances of trial, etc., would make it proper. We may add, that when Paul wishes to exhort to anything that is difficult, he usually adduces “his own example” to show that “it may be done;” an example which it would be well for all ministers to be able to follow.

But every man hath his proper gift - Every man has his own special talent, or excellence. One man excels in one thing, and another in another. One may not have this particular virtue, but he maybe distinguished for another virtue quite as valuable. The doctrine here is, therefore, that we are not to judge of others by ourselves, or measure their virtue by ours. We may excel in some one thing, they in another. And because they have not our special virtue, or capability, we are not to condemn or denounce them; compare Matthew 19:11, Matthew 19:12.

Of God - Bestowed by God either in the original endowments and faculties of body or mind, or by his grace. In either case it is the gift of God. The virtue of continence is his gift as well as any other; and Paul had reason, as any other man must have, to be thankful that God had conferred it on him. So if a man is naturally amiable, kind, gentle, large-hearted, tender, and affectionate, he should regard it as the gift of God, and be thankful that he has not to contend with the evils of a morose, proud, haughty, and severe temper. It is true, however, that all these virtues may be greatly strengthened by discipline, and that religion gives vigor and comeliness to them all. Paul’s virtue in this was strengthened by his resolution; by his manner of life; by his frequent fastings and trials, and “by the abundant employment” which God gave him in the apostleship. And it is true still, that if a man is desirous to overcome the lusts of the flesh, industry, and hardship, and trial, and self-denial will enable him, by the grace of God, to do it. idleness is the cause of no small part of the corrupt desires of people; and God kept Paul from these:

  1. By giving him enough to do; and,
  2. By giving him enough to suffer.



Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Corinthians 7:7. For I would that all men, c.] He wished that all that were then in the Church were, like him self, unmarried but this was in reference to the necessities of the Church, or what he calls, 1 Corinthians 7:26, the present distress: for it never could be his wish that marriage should cease among men, and that human beings should no longer be propagated upon earth; nor could he wish that the Church of Christ should always be composed of single persons; this would have been equally absurd; but as the Church was then in straits and difficulties, it was much better for its single members not to encumber themselves with domestic embarrassments.

Every man hath his proper gift of God — Continence is a state that cannot be acquired by human art or industry; a man has it from God, or not at all: and if he have it from God, he has it from him as the author of his nature; for where it does not exist naturally, it never can exist, but either by miraculous interference, which should never be expected, or by chirurgical operation, which is a shocking abomination in the sight of God. Matthew 19:12.


 
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