1 Corinthians 7:7

For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

For {G1063} I would {G2309} that all {G3956} men {G444} were {G1511} even {G2532} as {G5613} I myself {G1683}. But {G235} every man {G1538} hath {G2192} his proper {G2398} gift {G5486} of {G1537} God {G2316}, one {G3739}{G3303} after this manner {G3779}, and {G1161} another {G3739} after that {G3779}.

Actually, I wish everyone were like me; but each has his own gift from God, one this, another that.

I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.

Commentary

1 Corinthians 7:7 KJV offers a profound insight into the Apostle Paul's personal perspective on singleness and his understanding of God's diverse design for individuals within the church.

Context

This verse is situated within 1 Corinthians chapter 7, where Paul addresses various questions from the Corinthian believers concerning marriage, singleness, divorce, and sexual relations. The church in Corinth faced unique challenges, and Paul's advice here aims to provide practical guidance for living a godly life amidst societal pressures and personal inclinations. His preceding verses discuss the marital duties and the permissibility of temporary abstinence, setting the stage for his personal preference and the broader principle of divine gifting.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Paul's Personal Preference for Singleness: When Paul states, "For I would that all men were even as I myself," he expresses a personal conviction. He likely refers to his state of being unmarried or celibate, which he found conducive to undivided devotion to the Lord's service. He saw singleness as a state that allowed for fewer worldly distractions and greater focus on ministry, as further elaborated later in this chapter.
  • Diversity of God's Gifts: The crucial counterpoint is "But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that." Paul immediately clarifies that his personal preference is not a universal mandate. God bestows different "gifts" or endowments upon each person. This refers not just to spiritual gifts for ministry (like teaching or healing), but also to one's disposition and capacity regarding marital status—some are gifted for marriage, others for singleness. This highlights God's sovereignty and the unique path He sets for each individual.
  • Divine Enablement: The phrase "proper gift of God" emphasizes that one's capacity for marriage or singleness is not merely a personal choice or a natural inclination, but a divine enablement. Whether one is called to be married or to remain single, the ability to thrive in that state comes from God.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated as "gift" in this verse is charisma (χάρισμα). While often used for miraculous spiritual abilities (as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:4), here it extends to a broader sense of a divine gracious endowment, specifically concerning one's state in life regarding marriage and singleness. It signifies something freely given by God's grace, enabling a person to fulfill God's purpose for their life in that particular status.

Practical Application

This verse offers several valuable lessons for believers today:

  1. Contentment in Your State: It encourages believers to find contentment and purpose in their current marital status, whether married or single, recognizing it as a "gift of God."
  2. Valuing Diverse Callings: The church should value both marriage and singleness as valid and godly expressions of Christian life, each with its own advantages for service. There is no hierarchical superiority of one state over the other.
  3. Seeking God's Will: Individuals should seek to understand their own "proper gift" from God regarding relationships, rather than feeling pressured to conform to societal or even church expectations that may not align with their divine endowment.
  4. Serving with Your Gift: Whatever one's state, the ultimate purpose of God's gift is to enable individuals to serve Him more effectively and without undue distraction, contributing to the body of Christ.
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Cross-References

  • Matthew 19:11 (9 votes)

    But he said unto them, All [men] cannot receive this saying, save [they] to whom it is given.

  • Matthew 19:12 (9 votes)

    For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from [their] mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive [it], let him receive [it].

  • 1 Corinthians 9:5 (6 votes)

    Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and [as] the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

  • Romans 12:6 (6 votes)

    Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;

  • 1 Corinthians 12:4 (5 votes)

    Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:8 (5 votes)

    I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:11 (4 votes)

    But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.