OET interlinear 1 COR 7:30

Section 7:1–40: Paul answered questions about marriage

In an earlier letter to Paul, the Corinthians had mentioned some problems and asked him some questions. There are no longer any copies of this letter, so we can only guess what they wrote by reading Paul’s answers. Apparently some of the questions the Corinthians had asked were about marriage and sex. In this section Paul discussed these topics. He wrote about sexual intercourse, divorce, marrying again after a person’s husband or wife dies, and never marrying.

From the way Paul talked, it appears that the Corinthians were thinking that if believers want to be holy, they should abstain from sexual relations. The Corinthians were wondering if married people should sleep together, if Christians who were married to non-Christians should divorce them, and if Christians should get married. Paul gave them some wise teaching on each of these topics. In 7:1–16 he addressed Christians who were married. In 7:17–24 he wrote about his general rule for Christians: Remain as you are. In 7:25–38 he taught Christians who were not married. In 7:39–40 he addressed women whose husbands had died.

Other possible section headings include:

Paul gave/wrote instructions about Christian marriage

Paul’s teaching on marriage

Paragraph 7:29–31

Paul addressed the whole group of believers. He told them that the present way of life in this world would not last much longer. He instructed them as to how they should think and live when all will soon change.

those who weep, as if they did not;

• Likewise, believers who are mourning/grieving over some sadness/loss should not be too/overly concerned about it.

• If you are weeping now, remember that your sadness/grief is not the most important thing in your life and soon it will be gone.

• And even if you are weeping/crying and being sad, you should go on serving the Lord, since you know that soon you will no longer be sad.

those who are joyful, as if they were not;

• Likewise, believers who are happy should not think only about being happy.

• If you are happy, remember that your happiness/joy is not the most important thing in your life, and what is making you happy will soon be gone.

• And even if you are laughing and feeling happy, you should not let your happiness make you forget about serving the Lord.

those who make a purchase, as if they had nothing;

• Likewise believers who buy things should not be too/overly concerned with the things they own.

• If you buy things, remember that having/owning things is not the most important thing in your life, and some day you will no longer own those things.

• And when you buy things, you should consider that they are not yours to possess/enjoy for ever.

General Comment on 7:30a-c

In some languages it may help to make Paul’s main point clear if you combine these verse parts by using the same verb. For example:

Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. (NLT)