King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 7:37 Mean?

1 Corinthians 7:37 in the King James Version says “Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so ... — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.

1 Corinthians 7:37 · KJV


Context

35

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.

36

But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age , and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.

37

Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.

38

So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.

39

The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart—the phrase hos de hestēken hedraios en tē kardia (ὃς δὲ ἕστηκεν ἑδραῖος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ, "but whoever stands firm in his heart") describes resolute conviction. Having no necessity, but hath power over his own willmē echōn anankēn, exousian de echei peri tou idiou thelēmatos (μὴ ἔχων ἀνάγκην, ἐξουσίαν δὲ ἔχει περὶ τοῦ ἰδίου θελήματος). There is no external pressure (cultural expectation, sexual temptation) compelling marriage.

The man who hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. The phrase tērein tēn heautou parthenon (τηρεῖν τὴν ἑαυτοῦ παρθένον, "keep his own virgin") means allowing her to remain unmarried. Kalōs poiei (καλῶς ποιεῖ, "does well") indicates this is a good choice. Paul affirms that remaining single (whether for oneself or one's daughter) is advantageous for ministry.

The conditions are crucial: (1) firm conviction, (2) no necessity, (3) self-control. If these are met, choosing singleness is "good." This reflects Paul's consistent teaching that singleness is advantageous but requires the corresponding gift (v. 7). Without gift and conviction, marriage is better (v. 9).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Paul's teaching freed fathers from obligatory marriage arrangements and honored women who chose celibacy for Christ's service. This was countercultural in societies where women's value centered on marriage and childbearing. Christian women could pursue devoted service without social shame.

Reflection Questions

  1. What conditions must be met for singleness to be the wise choice—how can these be discerned?
  2. How does this verse honor women's calling to singleness rather than viewing unmarried women as shameful?
  3. In what ways does modern culture pressure marriage in ways similar to ancient culture?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
ὃς1 of 31

he

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

δὲ2 of 31

Nevertheless

G1161

but, and, etc

ἕστηκεν3 of 31

that standeth

G2476

to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)

ἑδραῖος4 of 31

stedfast

G1476

sedentary, i.e., (by implication) immovable

ἐν5 of 31

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ6 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίᾳ7 of 31

heart

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

μὴ8 of 31

no

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἔχει9 of 31

hath

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

ἀνάγκην10 of 31

necessity

G318

constraint (literally or figuratively); by implication, distress

ἐξουσίαν11 of 31

power

G1849

privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o

δὲ12 of 31

Nevertheless

G1161

but, and, etc

ἔχει13 of 31

hath

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

περὶ14 of 31

over

G4012

properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas

τοῦ15 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἰδίου16 of 31

his own

G2398

pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate

θελήματος17 of 31

will

G2307

a determination (properly, the thing), i.e., (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination

καὶ18 of 31

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῦτο19 of 31

so

G5124

that thing

κέκρικεν20 of 31

decreed

G2919

by implication, to try, condemn, punish

ἐν21 of 31

in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τῇ22 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καρδίᾳ23 of 31

heart

G2588

the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle

αὐτοῦ24 of 31
G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

τοῦ25 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τηρεῖν26 of 31

that he will keep

G5083

to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892

τὴν27 of 31
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἑαυτοῦ28 of 31

his

G1438

(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc

παρθένον29 of 31

virgin

G3933

a maiden; by implication, an unmarried daughter

καλῶς30 of 31

well

G2573

well (usually morally)

ποιεῖ·31 of 31

doeth

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 7:37 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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