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1 Corinthians 7:33

ESV But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife,
NIV But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—
NASB but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife,
CSB But the married man is concerned about the things of the world—how he may please his wife—
NLT But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife.
KJV But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
NKJV But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife.

What does 1 Corinthians 7:33 mean?

The advantage for the unmarried Christian man is freedom to focus his time and energy entirely on pleasing the Lord. Pleasing God is, indeed, the primary goal of our short lives on this side of eternity. Paul has made clear throughout this chapter that marriage is good, but he is making the case that those who are unmarried should consider remaining single.

Christian men who are married are divided between living to please Christ and living to please their wives. Paul does not condemn them for this. Christian marriage binds two people into one. When pursued according to Christian principles, it is a life spent in service to the other (Ephesians 5:22–33). In marriage, a Christian man serves God and represents Christ in the way he loves His wife. It is a high calling.

Paul wants his readers to see, though, that married life is not the only calling we can get from God when it comes to relationships. Those gifted by God with contentment in singleness can lead undivided lives, entirely focused on service to the Lord.
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