1 Corinthians 7:17-40 Each person should live according to what the Lord has given him and in the state he was when God called him. And this is what I require in all the churches.

AUV⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹⁷ Each person should live according to what the Lord has given him and in the state he was when God called him. And this is what I require in all the churches. ¹⁸ Was any man already circumcised when he was called [by God to be a Christian]? Then he should not [try to] become uncircumcised. [Note: Some Jews in that day resorted to a surgical procedure in an attempt to conceal their circumcision]. Was any man uncircumcised when he was called? Then he should not become circumcised. ¹⁹ Being circumcised does not matter [with God], nor does being uncircumcised matter [either]. But observing God’s commands is what matters. ²⁰ Each person should remain in the [same] state he was in when he was called [by God]. ²¹ Were you a slave when you were called? It should not matter to you [i.e., if you still are]. But if, indeed, you can become a free person, then use that freedom instead [i.e., for serving God]. ²² For the person who was a slave when called by the Lord is [now] the Lord’s freed person. In the same way, the person who was free when he was called [by the Lord] is [now] Christ’s slave. ²³ [Since] you people were bought for a price [i.e., the blood of Christ], do not become slaves to [other] people. ²⁴ Brothers, each person should remain [in fellowship] with God in the [same] state he was in when he was called [by God to be a Christian]. ²⁵ Now I have no command from the Lord concerning [what you wrote about] unmarried women. [Note: The word here is “virgins” but some think it includes both males and females]. But I give my advice as someone who has received the Lord’s mercy to be counted trustworthy. ²⁶ So, because of the impending crisis, I think it is a good thing for a man to remain as he is. ²⁷ Are you married? [If so], then do not separate [from your mate]. Are you unmarried? [If so], then do not look for a wife. ²⁸ But if you should marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin girl marries, she has not sinned. Yet those individuals [who do marry] will have troubles in this life, and I want to spare you of that. ²⁹ But I say this, brothers; there is not much time left [i.e., before the crisis arrives in full fury. See verse 26]. From now on those men who are married should live as though they were single. ³⁰ Those who cry [should live] as though they were not sad. Those who rejoice [should live] as though they were not happy. Those who buy things [should live] as though they did not own them. ³¹ And those who make use of the things of the world [should live] as though they were not [really] involved with them. For the world as we know it is passing away. [Note: The five “as though’s” of verses 29-31 are intended to emphasize that Christians should live with eternity in mind and not to become preoccupied with even legitimate earthly circumstances]. ³² But I want you to be free from worry. The man who is not married is concerned about the affairs of the Lord [and] how to please the Lord. ³³ But the person who is married is [also] concerned about the affairs of the world [and] how to please his wife, ³⁴ so his interests are divided. However, the unmarried woman [Note: Possibly this refers to a widow, divorcee or non-virgin] and the virgin are concerned about the affairs of the Lord [and] how to be dedicated [to God] in both body and spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the affairs of the world [and] how to please her husband. ³⁵ Now I am saying this for your own benefit, not in order to put [unreasonable] restrictions on you, but that you may do whatever is proper and devote yourselves to the Lord’s service without distraction. ³⁶ But if any man thinks he is [being tempted to] behave improperly toward his virgin [fiancee], and she is past prime [marriageable] age, and feels the need [to get married] [Note: The Greek says “and so it has to be”], he should do what he wants; they should get married --- that man has not sinned. ³⁷ But [another] man, who has a conviction in his heart [about the matter], and does not feel it is necessary [to get married], but has control over his will [i.e., his sexual passion], and has made up his mind to keep [from marrying] his own virgin [fiancee] --- that man is doing the right thing [also]. ³⁸ So then, the man who marries his virgin [fiancee] is doing the right thing and the man who does not marry her is doing [even] better. ³⁹ A wife is bound [i.e., to stay married] for as long as her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to anyone she wants; [but it must be] only in the Lord [i.e., he must be a faithful Christian]. ⁴⁰ But she will be happier if she remains as she is [i.e., single]. This is my advice and I think that I, too, have God’s Holy Spirit.