1 COR 7:7 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) and I wish everyone could be like me. But each person has their own gift from God—one has such-and-such a gift while someone else has a different one.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT But I wish for all men to be even as myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one indeed this way, and another that way.

UST If it were up to me, all people would be like me and remain unmarried. However, God gives each person his or her own way to live. Some people live in one way, while other people live in another way.

BSB I wish that all men were as I am. But each [man] has his own gift from God; one [has] this [gift], another [has] that.

MSB For[fn] I wish that all men were as I [am]. But each [man] has his own gift from God, one [in] this [way] and another [in] that.[fn]

7:7 CT does not include For.

7:7 CT one has this gift and another has that

BLB And I wish all men to be even like myself. But each has his own gift from God; for one has this, but one that.

AICNT I wish that all men were as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.

OEB I should wish everyone to be just what I am myself. But everyone has his own gift from God – one in one way, and one in another.

WEBBE Yet I wish that all men were like me. However, each man has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET I wish that everyone was as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one this way, another that.

LSV for I wish all men to be even as I myself [am]; but each has his own gift of God, one indeed thus and one thus.

FBV However, I wish that everyone was like me, but each person has their own gift from God—one has this gift, one has another.

TCNT [fn]For I wish that all people were as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one person [fn]in this manner and another in that manner.

7:7 For ¦ — CT

7:7 in this manner and another in that manner 94% ¦ has this gift and another has that gift CT 4%

T4T I myself wish that all people would stay unmarried/single, as I am. But God has enabled each person to live in ways that seem right for them. He has enabled some people to live without getting married, and he has enabled other people to get married.

LEB I wish all people could be like myself, but each one has his own gift from God, one in this way and another in that way.

BBE It is my desire that all men might be even as I am. But every man has the power of his special way of life given him by God, one in this way and one in that.

Moff I would like all men to be as I am. However, everyone is endowed by God in his own way; he has a gift for the one life or the other.

Wymth Yet I would that everybody lived as I do; but each of us has his own special gift from God—one in one direction and one in another.

ASV Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.

DRA For I would that all men were even as myself: but every one hath his proper gift from God; one after this manner, and another after that.

YLT for I wish all men to be even as I myself [am]; but each his own gift hath of God, one indeed thus, and one thus.

Drby Now I wish all men to be even as myself: but every one has his own gift of [fn]God: one man thus, and another thus.

7.7 Elohim

RV Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.
(Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man hath/has his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that. )

SLT For I will all men to be as also myself. But each has his own favor of God, the one truly thus, and the other thus.

Wbstr For I would that all men were as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.

KJB-1769 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.
(For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath/has his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. )

KJB-1611 For I would that all men were euen as I my selfe: but euery man hath his proper gift of God, one after this maner, and another after that.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation)

Bshps For I woulde that all men were as I my selfe am: but euery man hath his proper gift of God, one after this maner, another after that.
(For I would that all men were as I myself am: but every man hath/has his proper gift of God, one after this manner, another after that.)

Gnva For I woulde that all men were euen as I my selfe am: but euery man hath his proper gift of God, one after this maner, and another after that.
(For I would that all men were even as I myself am: but every man hath/has his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. )

Cvdl Howbeit I wolde rather yt all me were as I am. Neuertheles euery one hath his proper gifte of God: one thus, another so.
(Howbeit I would rather it all me were as I am. Nevertheless every one hath/has his proper gift of God: one thus, another so.)

TNT For I wolde that all men were as I my selfe am: but every man hath his proper gyfte of God one after this maner another after that.
(For I would that all men were as I myself am: but every man hath/has his proper gifte of God one after this manner another after that. )

Wycl For Y wole, that alle men be as my silf. But eche man hath his propre yifte of God; oon thus, and another thus.
(For I will, that all men be as myself. But each man hath/has his propre gift of God; one thus, and another thus.)

Luth Ich wollte aber lieber, alle Menschen wären, wie ich bin; aber ein jeglicher hat seine eigene Gabe von GOtt, einer so, der andere so.
(I wanted but love(v), all people would_be, as/like I bin; but a any/each has his own gift/present from God, one/a so, the/of_the other/different so.)

ClVg Volo enim omnes vos esse sicut meipsum: sed unusquisque proprium donum habet ex Deo: alius quidem sic, alius vero sic.[fn]
(I_want because everyone you(pl) to_be like meipsum: but each_one/everybody own a_gift/present/donation has from to_God: another indeed so, another indeed/however sic. )

7.7 Unusquisque, etc. Non debet quis constringi, ne prohibitus a licitis admittat illicita, sed ipse quid sequatur eligat, attamen in hoc propensiorem esse melius est.

7.7 Everyone, etc. Not/No must who/any constringi, not prohibitus from licitis admittat thereita, but exactly_that/himself what follow eligat, attamen in/into/on this propensiorem to_be better it_is.

UGNT θέλω δὲ πάντας ἀνθρώπους εἶναι ὡς καὶ ἐμαυτόν. ἀλλὰ ἕκαστος ἴδιον ἔχει χάρισμα ἐκ Θεοῦ; ὁ μὲν οὕτως, ὁ δὲ οὕτως.
(thelō de pantas anthrōpous einai hōs kai emauton. alla hekastos idion eⱪei ⱪarisma ek Theou; ho men houtōs, ho de houtōs.)

SBL-GNT θέλω ⸀δὲ πάντας ἀνθρώπους εἶναι ὡς καὶ ἐμαυτόν· ἀλλὰ ἕκαστος ἴδιον ⸂ἔχει χάρισμα⸃ ἐκ θεοῦ, ⸀ὁ μὲν οὕτως, ⸁ὁ δὲ οὕτως.
(thelō ⸀de pantas anthrōpous einai hōs kai emauton; alla hekastos idion ⸂eⱪei ⱪarisma⸃ ek theou, ⸀ho men houtōs, ⸁ho de houtōs.)

RP-GNT Θέλω γὰρ πάντας ἀνθρώπους εἶναι ὡς καὶ ἐμαυτόν· ἀλλ' ἕκαστος ἴδιον χάρισμα ἔχει ἐκ θεοῦ, ὃς μὲν οὕτως, ὃς δὲ οὕτως.
(Thelō gar pantas anthrōpous einai hōs kai emauton; all' hekastos idion ⱪarisma eⱪei ek theou, hos men houtōs, hos de houtōs.)

TC-GNT Θέλω [fn]γὰρ πάντας ἀνθρώπους εἶναι ὡς καὶ ἐμαυτόν· [fn]ἀλλ᾽ ἕκαστος ἴδιον [fn]χάρισμα ἔχει ἐκ Θεοῦ, [fn]ὃς μὲν οὕτως, ὃς δὲ οὕτως.
(Thelō gar pantas anthrōpous einai hōs kai emauton; all hekastos idion ⱪarisma eⱪei ek Theou, hos men houtōs, hos de houtōs. )

7:7 γαρ ¦ δε CT

7:7 αλλ ¦ αλλα CT

7:7 χαρισμα εχει ¦ εχει χαρισμα CT

7:7 ος μεν ουτως ος 94% ¦ ο μεν ουτως ο CT 4%

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

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 7:1–7

Paul began to discuss the subjects the Corinthians had written to him about. It seems that some believers were thinking that sexual intercourse was not good. Those people even said that married Christians should not have sexual intercourse with each other. Paul said that it was good for married believers to live together normally as man and wife. This would help them avoid being tempted to commit sex sins.

7:7a

I wish that all men were as I am.

I would like it if all believers were not married, as I am not married.
Actually I think/say that it would be good if all Christians were like me, that is, were happy to live without being married.
I do not need to get married, and I wish all Christians were like me in this way.

I wish that all men were as I am: Paul’s readers knew that Paul was unmarried at this time. He may have been widowed, or he may have never married. We do not know. In some languages it may be necessary to include here the implied information that Paul was unmarried:

I wish that all men were unmarried/celibate, as I am.

I wish that: Paul was not saying that this was what he actually wanted. He knew that this was not practical or even desirable. But this is a way of saying that he liked something himself and was content. It would have been fine by him if everyone was content to be single. In your translation, make sure that Paul was not indicating that this was what he actually wanted or expected to happen. Use a very mild or moderate expression. For example:

I would be perfectly happy if…

I would have no objections if…

all men: The Greek word that the BSB translates as all men can also be translated as “all people.” Paul was likely referring to both male and female believers.

7:7b

But each man has his own gift from God;

But each person/believer has received his own gift from God.
But God gives different abilities to each Christian.
Yet God is the one who makes it possible for each Christian/person to live in the way that is best for him or her to live.

7:7c

one has this gift,

To one person/believer he gives the gift of living a single/celibate life,
He gives to some the ability to live as a married person,

7:7d

another has that.

and to another person/believer he gives the gift of living a married life.
and to some he gives the ability to live as a single/celibate person.

7:7b-d

But: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as But introduces the contrast between what Paul desired for other people and what God actually wanted for them.

each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that: The word that Paul translates as gift refers to any special ability that God gives believers. To some believers God gives the gift of living without being married and without having sexual intercourse. To others God gives the gift of being married. God causes one person to be able to live as an unmarried person. He causes another person to be able to live as a married person. Other ways to translate this include:

each person has a special gift from God, and these gifts vary from person to person (GW)

each person has the gift God has granted him—one this gift and another that (REB)

each man: The Greek word that the BSB translates as each man is more literally “each one” and can refer to both men and women.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-words-phrases

δὲ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Θέλω δέ πάντας ἀνθρώπους εἶναι ὡς καί ἐμαυτόν Ἀλλά ἕκαστος ἴδιον ἔχει χάρισμα ἐκ Θεοῦ ὁ μέν οὕτως ὁ δέ οὕτως)

Here, But introduces a contrast with everything that Paul has said in [7:1–6](../07/01.md). In those verses, he speaks about how believers should act when they are already married. Now, however, he begins to talk about getting married, and he says that he wishes that people stayed unmarried, like he does. The But introduces a new stage in the argument that deals with getting married. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express But with a word or phrase that introduces a new but related topic. Alternate translation: [Now] or [Moving on,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

εἶναι ὡς καὶ ἐμαυτόν

to_be as (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Θέλω δέ πάντας ἀνθρώπους εἶναι ὡς καί ἐμαυτόν Ἀλλά ἕκαστος ἴδιον ἔχει χάρισμα ἐκ Θεοῦ ὁ μέν οὕτως ὁ δέ οὕτως)

When Paul wrote this letter, he was not married, and as far as we know, he was never married. When Paul says that he wishes that all people were even as myself, he is referring to how he is unmarried. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate to be even as myself to include the fact that Paul is not married. Alternate translation: [to be unmarried as I am]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

ἀνθρώπους & ἴδιον

people & ˓his˒_own

Although men and his are masculine, Paul is using these words to refer to anyone, whether man or woman. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express men and his with non gendered words or refer to both genders. Alternate translation: [men and women … his or her own]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

χάρισμα

gift

Here Paul speaks about the way of life that God has called each person to live as if it were a gift that each person receives from God. By using gift, Paul emphasizes that the person receives the gift freely from God and that the gift is a good thing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea behind gift plainly or with a comparable metaphor. Alternate translation: [blessing] or [calling]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

ὁ μὲν οὕτως, ὁ δὲ οὕτως

the_‹one› the_‹one› (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Θέλω δέ πάντας ἀνθρώπους εἶναι ὡς καί ἐμαυτόν Ἀλλά ἕκαστος ἴδιον ἔχει χάρισμα ἐκ Θεοῦ ὁ μέν οὕτως ὁ δέ οὕτως)

Here Paul omits some words that may be necessary in your language to make a complete thought. If your language needs these words, you could include a phrase such as “acts in” or “live in.” Alternate translation: [one indeed acts in this way, and another acts in that way]

Parallel 1 COR 7:7