But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
Parallel translations
- WEB But she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have God’s Spirit.
- BSB In my judgment, however, she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
- NKJV But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment—and I think I also have the Spirit of God.
- NASB But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God.
- NLT But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God’s Spirit when I say this.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
In Paul's judgment a widow is happier if she remains as she is, and he believes he too has God's Spirit in giving this counsel. His advice, though not a command, carries Spirit-given authority.
Overview
Paul closes the chapter by gently recommending that widows remain single for the freedom and contentment it can bring, consistent with his earlier counsel. His closing words, "I think that I also have God's Spirit," are not doubt but a confident (perhaps mildly ironic) claim to apostolic, Spirit-led wisdom. Thus even his "judgment" is offered as trustworthy guidance for the church.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- 1 Cor 7:8I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
- 1 Cor 7:1Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
- 1 Cor 7:25–26Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
- 2 Cor 10:8–10For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed:
- 1 Cor 14:36–37What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
- 1 Th 4:8He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.
- 1 Cor 7:35And 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.
- 2 Pet 3:15–16And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
- 2 Cor 12:11I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
- 1 Cor 7:6But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
- 1 Cor 9:1–3Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 7:40 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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