1 Corinthians 7:35
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1 Corinthians 7:35
35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
Chapter Context
1 Corinthians 7 is a pastoral epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of obedience, worship, prayer. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 55 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: The church existed in a prosperous, cosmopolitan, morally permissive Roman colony.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-40: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it offers practical wisdom for godly living in a fallen world. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 1 Corinthians and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
1 Corinthians 7:35
35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
Analysis
And this I speak for your own profit—Paul emphasizes his pastoral motive. The phrase pros to hymōn auton sympheron (πρὸς τὸ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν συμφέρον, "toward your own advantage") indicates his counsel aims at their benefit. Not that I may cast a snare upon you (ouch hina brochan hymin epibalō, οὐχ ἵνα βρόχον ὑμῖν ἐπιβάλω, "not to throw a noose on you")—Paul is not trapping them in legalism.
Rather, his purpose is for that which is comely (to euschēmon, τὸ εὔσχημον, "what is proper/fitting") and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. The key phrase is aperispastōs (ἀπερισπάστως, "without distraction")—Paul's ultimate concern throughout verses 25-38. Singleness enables undivided, undistracted devotion to Christ.
Paul's teaching is motivated by love, not legalism. He offers practical wisdom for maximizing focused service to Christ during urgent times. His preference for singleness reflects not disdain for marriage but recognition that competing loyalties create perispasmos (distraction). The goal is euschēmon kai aperispastōs—proper and undistracted devotion to the Lord.
Historical Context
Paul's language of "snare" or "noose" reflects his concern not to impose legalistic requirements beyond God's commands. Unlike later ascetic movements that required celibacy, Paul presents singleness as advantageous but not mandatory. His pastoral care balances principle with freedom.
Reflection
- How does Paul's emphasis on "your own profit" reveal his pastoral heart rather than legalistic control?
- What kinds of "distraction" do married believers face that singles avoid?
- How can married believers pursue faithful service to Christ despite divided attention?
Word Studies
- Lord: Κύριος (Kurios) G2962 - Lord, Master
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: 1 Corinthians 7:2, 7:28, 7:36, Matthew 19:12, Luke 8:14, 21:34