1 Corinthians 7:33 BSB

1 Corinthians 7:33

But the married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife,

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

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

KJV

But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

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Commentary

1 voice

Basil of Caesarea

THE LONG RULES 5 (379)

Paul allows marriage and considers it worthy of blessing, but he contrasts it with his own preoccupation with the concerns of God and hints that the two things are incompatible.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

John Wesley

1703–1791

Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament (1755)

But the married careth for the things of the world - And it in his duty so to do, so far as becomes a Christian. How he may please his wife - And provide all things needful for her and his family.

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

This is the general rule, which every one's discretion must apply to his own particular case; and by it should he endeavour to determine, whether it be for marriage or against. That condition of life should be chosen by the Christian in which it is most likely he will have the best helps, and the fewest hindrances, in the service of God and the affairs of his own salvation.

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

Albert Barnes

1798–1870

Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)

careth for the things of the world - Is under a necessity of giving attention to the things of the world; or cannot give his undivided attention and interest to the things of religion. This would be especially true in times of persecution. How he may please his wife - How he may gratify her; how he may accommodate himself to her temper and wishes, to make her happy. The apostle here plainly intimates that there would be danger that the man would be so anxious to gratify his wife, as to interfere with his direct religious duties.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

11 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
ὁ	ho	the [one]	G3588 →
δὲ	de	however	G1161 →
γαμήσας	gamēsas	having been married	G1060 →
μεριμνᾷ	merimna	he cares for	G3309 →
τὰ	ta	the [things]	G3588 →
τοῦ	tou	of the	G3588 →
κόσμου,	kosmou	world,	G2889 →
πῶς	pōs	how	G4459 →
ἀρέσῃ	aresē	he may please	G700 →
τῇ	tēa	the	G3588 →
γυναικί,	gunaiki	wife,	G1135 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
1 Peter 3:7
Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
leads to
- Genesis 2:23–24
  And the man said: “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for out of man she was taken.”
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
- Colossians 3:19
  Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
- Matthew 19:3–9
  Then some Pharisees came and tested Him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”
- Ephesians 5:25–28
  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her
Through
Colossians 3:19
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
leads to
- 1 Peter 3:7
  Husbands, in the same way, treat your wives with consideration as a delicate vessel, and with honor as fellow heirs of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
- Colossians 3:21
  Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.
- Ephesians 5:25
  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her
Through
1 Timothy 5:8
If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
leads to
- Galatians 6:10
  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

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About 1 Corinthians

The Crucifixion — 'Christ crucified' (1 Cor 2:2) — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

1 Corinthians: the study guide →Read chapter 7 →The featured study →

Continue: 1 Corinthians 7 →

01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About 1 Corinthians

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About 1 Corinthians