7 I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
7 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.
7 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.
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.
7 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.
7 But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another.
8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am.
8 I do, though, tell the unmarried and widows that singleness might well be the best thing for them, as it has been for me.
8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am;
8 So I say to those who aren't married and to widows-it's better to stay unmarried, just as I am.
(Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-9)
The apostle tells the Corinthians that it was good, in that juncture of time, for Christians to keep themselves single. Yet he says that marriage, and the comforts of that state, are settled by Divine wisdom. Though none may break the law of God, yet that perfect rule leaves men at liberty to serve him in the way most suited to their powers and circumstances, of which others often are very unfit judges. All must determine for themselves, seeking counsel from God how they ought to act.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:7
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:1-9
(Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-9)
The apostle tells the Corinthians that it was good, in that juncture of time, for Christians to keep themselves single. Yet he says that marriage, and the comforts of that state, are settled by Divine wisdom. Though none may break the law of God, yet that perfect rule leaves men at liberty to serve him in the way most suited to their powers and circumstances, of which others often are very unfit judges. All must determine for themselves, seeking counsel from God how they ought to act.