1 CORINTHIANS 7:34 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.”
An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit; but a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. — The unmarried woman (and virgin) similarly enjoys singular focus on kyriaka (the Lord's affairs). The phrase 'devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit' (hieros kai soma kai pneumati) suggests wholehearted consecration. The married woman's divided merimna parallels the husband's, establishing complete reciprocity in the marriage's demands.
Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 7:34
“Are you bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife.” These words carry no contradiction to what had been said before but rather the most entire agreement with them. For he says in that place also, “Except it be by consent:” as here he says, “Are you bound unto a wife? Seek not separation.” This is no contradiction. For its being against consent makes a dissolution: but if with consent both live continently, it is no…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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