1 Corinthians 7:30

KJV

And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} they that weep {G2799}, as {G5613} though they wept {G2799} not {G3361}; and {G2532} they that rejoice {G5463}, as {G5613} though they rejoiced {G5463} not {G3361}; and {G2532} they that buy {G59}, as {G5613} though they possessed {G2722} not {G3361};

Complete Jewish Bible

and those who are sad should live as if they weren’t, those who are happy as if they weren’t,

Berean Standard Bible

those who weep, as if they did not; those who are joyful, as if they were not; those who make a purchase, as if they had nothing;

American Standard Version

and those that weep, as though they wept not; and those that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and those that buy, as though they possessed not;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 7:30, the Apostle Paul issues a profound call for believers to cultivate a detached and eternal perspective on their earthly experiences, whether joyful or sorrowful, and on their material possessions. This counsel is not an endorsement of emotional suppression or irresponsible living, but rather a radical reorientation of priorities, urging Christians to live in the world without being consumed by its fleeting realities, in light of the imminent return of Christ and the transient nature of the present age.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is nestled within a larger section of Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church, specifically [1 Corinthians 7](/1_corinthians/7 "1 Corinthians 7 - Instructions on Marriage, Singleness, and Christian Living"), where he addresses various practical aspects of Christian living, including marriage, singleness, and slavery. Paul's overarching concern in this chapter is how believers should conduct themselves in light of "the present distress" ([1 Corinthians 7:26](/1_corinthians/7-26 "1 Corinthians 7:26 - The Present Distress")) and the conviction that "the appointed time has grown very short" ([1 Corinthians 7:29](/1_corinthians/7-29 "1 Corinthians 7:29 - The Shortness of Time")). His advice in verse 30, therefore, is not a standalone ethical directive but an urgent call to live with an eschatological awareness, understanding that all earthly circumstances and relationships are temporary and should be held loosely, as the "fashion of this world is passing away" ([1 Corinthians 7:31](/1_corinthians/7-31 "1 Corinthians 7:31 - The World's Passing Fashion")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan port city, known for its commercial prosperity, diverse population, and prevalent immorality. The early Christian community there faced significant pressures to conform to prevailing pagan norms, while also grappling with internal divisions and misunderstandings regarding Christian freedom and eschatological expectations. Paul's emphasis on detachment was particularly pertinent in a culture that often equated material wealth and social status with divine favor or personal fulfillment. Furthermore, the early church lived with a keen expectation of Christ's imminent return, which colored their perspective on earthly commitments and possessions. Paul's teaching here provided a counter-cultural framework for living faithfully in a world that was, from their perspective, rapidly approaching its end.
* **Key Themes:** The primary themes in [1 Corinthians 7](/1_corinthians/7 "1 Corinthians 7 - Christian Conduct in Light of Eternity") that this verse contributes to include **eschatological urgency**, emphasizing that believers should live with an acute awareness of the brevity of time and the impending return of Christ. This urgency informs the theme of **detachment from worldly circumstances**, urging believers to experience life's joys and sorrows, and to engage in its activities, without being utterly defined or consumed by them. This is not apathy but a profound spiritual freedom. Finally, the verse underscores the theme of **stewardship over possession**, particularly in the phrase "as though they possessed not," which challenges the prevailing cultural emphasis on accumulation and encourages a mindset where material goods are viewed as temporary trusts, to be used for God's purposes, rather than as ultimate sources of security or identity. This aligns with the broader biblical call to set one's mind on "things that are above, not on things that are on earth" ([Colossians 3:2](/colossians/3-2 "Colossians 3:2 - Setting Your Mind on Things Above")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **weep (Greek, _klaíō_):** This word signifies a deep, audible expression of sorrow, a wailing aloud. Paul is not suggesting the suppression of genuine grief, but rather that even in profound sorrow, believers should not be utterly overwhelmed or consumed by it, maintaining an underlying hope and perspective that transcends the immediate pain.
* **rejoice (Greek, _chaírō_):** Meaning to be cheerful, calmly happy, or well-off. Just as with sorrow, Paul instructs believers to experience joy without allowing it to become an ultimate source of identity or security. Earthly joys are to be enjoyed, but with a recognition of their temporary nature and without becoming overly attached or complacent.
* **possessed (Greek, _katéchō_):** This term means to hold down, hold fast, or retain. In the context of buying, it speaks to the act of acquiring and holding onto possessions. The instruction "as though they possessed not" challenges the notion of ultimate ownership, encouraging believers to view themselves as stewards of material goods, holding them lightly rather than allowing them to define or control their lives.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they that weep, as though they wept not;":** This clause addresses the experience of sorrow and grief. It does not advocate for emotional stoicism or denial of pain. Instead, it calls for a posture where even in the midst of profound weeping, the believer's identity and hope are not fundamentally defined or consumed by that sorrow. There is an underlying spiritual resilience and an awareness of a greater reality that transcends the present suffering.
* **"and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not;":** Similarly, this clause speaks to the experience of joy and celebration. It encourages believers to enjoy blessings and happy circumstances, but to do so without becoming overly attached to them or allowing them to become the ultimate source of their contentment. Earthly joys are fleeting, and true, lasting joy is found in Christ, independent of external circumstances.
* **"and they that buy, as though they possessed not;":** This final clause extends the principle to material possessions and commercial activity. It challenges the common human tendency to derive security, identity, or status from what one owns. Believers are encouraged to engage in commerce and acquire goods, but to hold them with an open hand, recognizing that they are temporary stewards, not ultimate owners. This fosters generosity, freedom from materialism, and a focus on eternal rather than temporal wealth.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful literary devices in [1 Corinthians 7:30](/1_corinthians/7-30 "1 Corinthians 7:30 - Living with Detachment"). The most prominent is **Paradox**, as he presents seemingly contradictory commands: to weep as if not weeping, to rejoice as if not rejoicing, and to buy as if not possessing. This paradox is not a call to hypocrisy or emotional suppression, but rather a profound spiritual truth about living in the world with an eternal perspective. It highlights the tension between our earthly experiences and our heavenly citizenship. The repeated structure "and they that X, as though they X not;" also demonstrates **Anaphora** and **Parallelism**, creating a rhythmic and memorable pattern that emphasizes the consistent mindset required across various life circumstances. This repetitive structure underscores the universality of the principle Paul is advocating, applying it to both emotional states and material engagement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's instruction in [1 Corinthians 7:30](/1_corinthians/7-30 "1 Corinthians 7:30 - The Transient Nature of Worldly Experiences") is deeply rooted in an eschatological theology that views the present world order as temporary and passing away. It calls believers to live with a radical reorientation of values, prioritizing the eternal over the temporal. This detachment is not indifference, but a spiritual freedom that allows one to engage fully with life's experiences without being enslaved by them. It underscores the sovereignty of God over all circumstances and the ultimate security found only in Christ. This theological perspective liberates believers from the anxieties of accumulation and loss, fostering a spirit of contentment and generosity, and enabling them to live as pilgrims whose true home is not of this world.

* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Laying Up Treasures in Heaven")
* [Philippians 4:11-13](/philippians/4-11-13 "Philippians 4:11-13 - Paul's Contentment in All Circumstances")
* [Colossians 3:1-2](/colossians/3-1-2 "Colossians 3:1-2 - Seeking Things Above")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 7:30 offers timeless wisdom for navigating the complexities of human experience in a fallen world. It challenges us to examine the grip that emotions and possessions have on our hearts. Rather than advocating for a stoic denial of feelings, Paul encourages us to experience life fully—to grieve deeply when loss occurs, to celebrate heartily when joy abounds—but to do so with an underlying peace and hope that transcends our immediate circumstances. This means allowing sorrow to run its course without letting it define our identity, and enjoying blessings without allowing them to become idols that displace God. Similarly, regarding material possessions, the verse calls us to a radical stewardship, reminding us that we are merely temporary managers of God's resources, not ultimate owners. This perspective liberates us from the anxieties of consumerism and accumulation, fostering generosity and a focus on eternal values. Ultimately, living "as though not" means holding everything in this life loosely, with open hands, because our ultimate security, joy, and identity are found in Christ alone, and our true citizenship is in heaven.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge your emotional responses to both joy and sorrow?**
* **In what ways might you be holding onto possessions or achievements too tightly, as if you truly "possessed" them?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a greater sense of detachment from worldly outcomes and a deeper focus on eternal realities?**

### FAQ
**Does "weep, as though they wept not" mean Christians shouldn't grieve or express sorrow?**

Answer: No, Paul is not advocating for the suppression of genuine human emotion or a denial of sorrow. The phrase "as though they wept not" (Greek: _hōs mē_) indicates a mindset or attitude, not a literal absence of feeling. It means to experience grief without being utterly consumed or defined by it, to weep with an underlying hope and an awareness that this world's sorrows are temporary. Believers are called to grieve, as Jesus Himself wept ([John 11:35](/john/11-35 "John 11:35 - Jesus Wept")), but to do so with the hope of the resurrection and the promise that God will one day "wipe away every tear" ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears")). The emphasis is on not allowing sorrow to become an ultimate master or to overshadow the greater reality of God's redemptive plan.

**Is Paul advocating for asceticism or poverty by saying "buy, as though they possessed not"?**

Answer: Paul is not advocating for asceticism (extreme self-denial) or compulsory poverty. Instead, "buy, as though they possessed not" speaks to a principle of stewardship and detachment from materialism. It means that while believers may engage in commerce and acquire possessions, they should hold them lightly, recognizing that they are temporary stewards rather than ultimate owners. Their identity, security, and joy should not be found in what they own, but in Christ. This perspective encourages generosity, freedom from the anxieties of accumulation, and a focus on eternal treasures over earthly ones, aligning with Jesus' teaching in [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19-21 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Do Not Lay Up Treasures on Earth"). It's about a reorientation of the heart's allegiance, not a blanket condemnation of material goods themselves.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 7:30 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the supreme example of one who lived fully *in* the world yet was never *of* it, holding all earthly circumstances with divine detachment. Though "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - Man of Sorrows")), Jesus wept over Jerusalem and at Lazarus's tomb, yet His sorrow never overwhelmed His mission or His perfect obedience to the Father. He experienced profound joy, such as seeing the Spirit's work in His disciples ([Luke 10:21](/luke/10-21 "Luke 10:21 - Jesus Rejoices in the Spirit")), but His joy was rooted in His divine purpose, not fleeting earthly triumphs. Most profoundly, Christ "though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")), demonstrating the ultimate "as though possessed not" by divesting Himself of heavenly glory to take on human form ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5-8 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). His kingdom "is not of this world" ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), and His finished work on the cross and triumphant resurrection provide the ultimate basis for our detachment from earthly outcomes. Because Christ has conquered sin and death, and because our true life is "hidden with Christ in God" ([Colossians 3:3](/colossians/3-3 "Colossians 3:3 - Our Life Hidden in Christ")), we can live with a freedom from the world's grip, knowing that our ultimate hope, security, and joy are found in Him, who makes all things new ([Revelation 21:5](/revelation/21-5 "Revelation 21:5 - God Makes All Things New")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 6:25

Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

Psalms 126:5

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Psalms 126:6

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves [with him].

Luke 6:21

Blessed [are ye] that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed [are ye] that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

Ecclesiastes 3:4

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

John 16:22

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

Psalms 30:5

For his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour [is] life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning.