1 Corinthians 7:37
Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
Original Language Analysis
ὃς
he
G3739
ὃς
he
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
1 of 31
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἕστηκεν
that standeth
G2476
ἕστηκεν
that standeth
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
3 of 31
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίᾳ
heart
G2588
καρδίᾳ
heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
7 of 31
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
μὴ
no
G3361
μὴ
no
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
8 of 31
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ἔχει
hath
G2192
ἔχει
hath
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
9 of 31
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
ἀνάγκην
necessity
G318
ἀνάγκην
necessity
Strong's:
G318
Word #:
10 of 31
constraint (literally or figuratively); by implication, distress
ἐξουσίαν
power
G1849
ἐξουσίαν
power
Strong's:
G1849
Word #:
11 of 31
privilege, i.e., (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely, magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token o
ἔχει
hath
G2192
ἔχει
hath
Strong's:
G2192
Word #:
13 of 31
to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio
περὶ
over
G4012
περὶ
over
Strong's:
G4012
Word #:
14 of 31
properly, through (all over), i.e., around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time (with the genitive cas
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἰδίου
his own
G2398
ἰδίου
his own
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
16 of 31
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
θελήματος
will
G2307
θελήματος
will
Strong's:
G2307
Word #:
17 of 31
a determination (properly, the thing), i.e., (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καρδίᾳ
heart
G2588
καρδίᾳ
heart
Strong's:
G2588
Word #:
23 of 31
the heart, i.e., (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
24 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
25 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τηρεῖν
that he will keep
G5083
τηρεῖν
that he will keep
Strong's:
G5083
Word #:
26 of 31
to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from g5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from g2892
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
27 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἑαυτοῦ
his
G1438
ἑαυτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G1438
Word #:
28 of 31
(him- her-, it-, them-, my-, thy-, our-, your-)self (selves), etc
Historical Context
Paul's teaching freed fathers from obligatory marriage arrangements and honored women who chose celibacy for Christ's service. This was countercultural in societies where women's value centered on marriage and childbearing. Christian women could pursue devoted service without social shame.
Questions for Reflection
- What conditions must be met for singleness to be the wise choice—how can these be discerned?
- How does this verse honor women's calling to singleness rather than viewing unmarried women as shameful?
- In what ways does modern culture pressure marriage in ways similar to ancient culture?
Analysis & Commentary
Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart—the phrase hos de hestēken hedraios en tē kardia (ὃς δὲ ἕστηκεν ἑδραῖος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ, "but whoever stands firm in his heart") describes resolute conviction. Having no necessity, but hath power over his own will—mē echōn anankēn, exousian de echei peri tou idiou thelēmatos (μὴ ἔχων ἀνάγκην, ἐξουσίαν δὲ ἔχει περὶ τοῦ ἰδίου θελήματος). There is no external pressure (cultural expectation, sexual temptation) compelling marriage.
The man who hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. The phrase tērein tēn heautou parthenon (τηρεῖν τὴν ἑαυτοῦ παρθένον, "keep his own virgin") means allowing her to remain unmarried. Kalōs poiei (καλῶς ποιεῖ, "does well") indicates this is a good choice. Paul affirms that remaining single (whether for oneself or one's daughter) is advantageous for ministry.
The conditions are crucial:
If these are met, choosing singleness is "good." This reflects Paul's consistent teaching that singleness is advantageous but requires the corresponding gift (v. 7). Without gift and conviction, marriage is better (v. 9).