1 Corinthians 7:34
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.
Original Language Analysis
μεμέρισται
There is difference also between
G3307
μεμέρισται
There is difference also between
Strong's:
G3307
Word #:
1 of 30
to part, i.e., (literally) to apportion, bestow, share, or (figuratively) to disunite, differ
τῷ
for the things
G3588
τῷ
for the things
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῷ
for the things
G3588
τῷ
for the things
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
for the things
G3588
τῷ
for the things
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
for the things
G3588
τῷ
for the things
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
for the things
G3588
τῷ
for the things
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
12 of 30
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ᾖ
she may be
G5600
ᾖ
she may be
Strong's:
G5600
Word #:
14 of 30
(may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with g1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be
ἁγία
holy
G40
ἁγία
holy
Strong's:
G40
Word #:
15 of 30
sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
16 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
σώματι
in body
G4983
σώματι
in body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
17 of 30
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 30
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πνεύματι·
in spirit
G4151
πνεύματι·
in spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
19 of 30
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
τῷ
for the things
G3588
τῷ
for the things
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
for the things
G3588
τῷ
for the things
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
24 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τῷ
for the things
G3588
τῷ
for the things
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 30
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κόσμου
of the world
G2889
κόσμου
of the world
Strong's:
G2889
Word #:
26 of 30
orderly arrangement, i.e., decoration; by implication, the world (including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively (morally))
πῶς
how
G4459
πῶς
how
Strong's:
G4459
Word #:
27 of 30
an interrogative particle of manner; in what way? (sometimes the question is indirect, how?); also as exclamation, how much!
ἀρέσει
she may please
G700
ἀρέσει
she may please
Strong's:
G700
Word #:
28 of 30
to be agreeable (or by implication, to seek to be so)
Historical Context
Single Christian women found unprecedented opportunities for ministry and leadership in the early church (Phoebe, Priscilla, Junia, widows' orders). Unlike Greco-Roman culture where women's value centered on marriage and childbearing, Paul affirms single women's complete devotion to Christ as valid and valuable.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's teaching honor single women's calling and ministry capacity?
- What does it mean for single women to be "holy both in body and in spirit" through undivided devotion?
- How can the church support and utilize single women's unique capacity for focused ministry?
Analysis & Commentary
There is difference also between a wife and a virgin—Paul now addresses women, maintaining complete reciprocity with verse 33's discussion of men. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord (hē agamos merimna ta tou kyriou, ἡ ἄγαμος μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ κυρίου)—her concern is Christ's affairs. That she may be holy both in body and in spirit (hina ē hagia kai tō sōmati kai tō pneumati).
Paul's phrase "holy both in body and in spirit" does not suggest married women are unholy but describes the single woman's complete devotion. She can dedicate both physical energy and spiritual focus entirely to the Lord without competing family obligations. This reflects the biblical concept of holiness as being "set apart" for God's exclusive use.
Conversely, but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. Married women face the same divided attention as married men (v. 33)—legitimate family concerns that compete with ministry focus. Paul's counsel is practical: singleness allows women to pursue ministry, prayer, and service with complete availability.