1CO 7

1 Corinthians 7:40

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.

KJV

But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

Matthew Henry

Verses 39–40

1 Corinthians 7:39–40

The whole is here closed up with advice to widows: As long as the husband liveth the wife is bound by the law, confined to one husband, and bound to continue and cohabit with him. Note, The marriage - contract is for life; death only can annul the bond. But, the husband being dead, she is at liberty to marry whom she will. There is no limitation by God's law to be married only for such a number of times. It is certain, from this passage, that second marriages are not unlawful; for then the widow could not be at liberty to marry whom she pleased, nor to marry a second time at all. But the apostle asserts she has such a liberty, when her husband is dead, only with a limitation that she marry in the Lord. In our choice of relations, and change of conditions, we should always have an eye to God. Note, Marriages are likely to have God's blessing only when they are made in the Lord, when persons are guided by the fear of God, and the laws of God, and act in dependence on the providence of God, in the change and choice of a mate - when they can look up to God, and sincerely seek his direction, and humbly hope for his blessing upon their conduct. But she is happier, says the apostle, if she so abide (that is, continue a widow) in my judgment; and I think I have the Spirit of God, Co1 7:40. At this juncture, at least, if not ordinarily, it will be much more for the peace and quiet of such, and give them less hindrance in the service of God, to continue unmarried. And this, he tells them, was by inspiration of the Spirit. "Whatever your false apostles may think of me, I think, and have reason to know, that I have the Spirit of God." Note, Change of condition in marriage is so important a matter that it ought not to be made but upon due deliberation, after careful consideration of circumstances, and upon very probable grounds, at least, that it will be a change to advantage in our spiritual concerns.

Cross-references: 1Cor 7:40

Greek interlinear

οὕτωςohutōsadverb

G3107

μακάριοςmakários/mak-ar'-ee-os/

blessed, happy(X -ier)

Derivation: a prolonged form of the poetical μάκαρ (meaning the same);

supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off

KJV: blessed, happy(X -ier).

G1161

δέ/deh/

also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English)

Derivation: a primary particle (adversative or continuative);

but, and, etc.

KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).

G1510

εἰμίeimí/i-mee'/

am, have been, X it is I, was

Derivation: the first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb;

I exist (used only when emphatic)

KJV: am, have been, X it is I, was.

See also G1488, G1498, G1511, G1527, G2258, G2071, G2070, G2075, G2076, G2771, G2468, G5600.

See also: G1488, G1498, G1511, G1527, G2258, G2071, G2070, G2075, G2076, G2771, G2468, G5600.

G1437

ἐάνeán/eh-an'/

before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever)

Derivation: from G1487 and G302;

a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty

KJV: before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever).

See G3361.

See also: G1487, G302, G3361.

G3306

μένωménō/men'-o/

abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own

Derivation: a primary verb;

to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)

KJV: abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own.

G2596

κατάkatá/kat-ah'/

about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from … to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), … by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with

Derivation: a primary particle;

(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)

KJV: about, according as (to), after, against, (when they were) X alone, among, and, X apart, (even, like) as (concerning, pertaining to touching), X aside, at, before, beyond, by, to the charge of, (charita-)bly, concerning, + covered, (dai-)ly, down, every, (+ far more) exceeding, X more excellent, for, from … to, godly, in(-asmuch, divers, every, -to, respect of), … by, after the manner of, + by any means, beyond (out of) measure, X mightily, more, X natural, of (up-)on (X part), out (of every), over against, (+ your) X own, + particularly, so, through(-oughout, -oughout every), thus, (un-)to(-gether, -ward), X uttermost, where(-by), with.

In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes opposition, distribution, or intensity.

G3588

ho/ho/

the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc

, including the feminine , and the neuter τό in all their inflections;

Derivation: the definite article;

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

KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

G1699

ἐμόςemós/em-os'/

of me, mine (own), my

Derivation: from the oblique cases of G1473 (G1698, G1700, G1691);

my

KJV: of me, mine (own), my.

See also: G1473, G1698, G1700, G1691.

G1106

γνώμηgnṓmē/gno'-may/

advice, + agree, judgment, mind, purpose, will

Derivation: from G1097;

cognition, i.e. (subjectively) opinion, or (objectively) resolve (counsel, consent, etc.)

KJV: advice, + agree, judgment, mind, purpose, will.

See also: G1097.

G1380

δοκέωdokéō/dok-eh'-o/

be accounted, (of own) please(-ure), be of reputation, seem (good), suppose, think, trow

Derivation: a prolonged form of a primary verb, δόκω (used only in an alternate in certain tenses;

compare the base of G1166) of the same meaning; to think; by implication, to seem (truthfully or uncertainly)

KJV: be accounted, (of own) please(-ure), be of reputation, seem (good), suppose, think, trow.

See also: G1166.

G2504

κἀγώkagṓ/kag-o'/

(and, even, even so, so) I (also, in like wise), both me, me also

Derivation: from G2532 and G1473;

so also the dative case κἀμοί , and accusative case κἀμέ and (or also, even, etc.) I, (to) me

KJV: (and, even, even so, so) I (also, in like wise), both me, me also.

See also: G2532, G1473.

G4151

πνεῦμαpneûma/pnyoo'-mah/

ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind

Derivation: from G4154;

a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit

KJV: ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind.

Compare G5590.

See also: G4154, G5590.

G2316

θεόςtheós/theh'-os/

X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward)

Derivation: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity;

figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very

KJV: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).

See also: G3588.

G2192

ἔχωéchō/ekh'-o/

be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use

, including an alternate form σχέω ; (used in certain tenses only)

Derivation: a primary verb;

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

KJV: be (able, X hold, possessed with), accompany, + begin to amend, can(+ -not), X conceive, count, diseased, do + eat, + enjoy, + fear, following, have, hold, keep, + lack, + go to law, lie, + must needs, + of necessity, + need, next, + recover, + reign, + rest, + return, X sick, take for, + tremble, + uncircumcised, use.

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