SEV Biblia, Chapter 7:34
Hay diferencia entre la mujer casada y la virgen, La mujer no casada tiene cuidado de las cosas del Seor, para ser santa así en el cuerpo como en el espíritu; mas la casada tiene cuidado de las cosas que son del mundo, cmo ha de agradar a su marido.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:34
Verse 34. There is a difference also between a wife and a virgin.] That is: There is this difference between a married and an unmarried woman. The unmarried careth (only) for the things of the Lord, having no domestic duties to perform. That she may be holy- separated to Divine employments, both in body and spirit. Whereas she that is married careth (also) for the things of the world, how she may please her husband, having many domestic duties to fulfill, her husband being obliged to leave to her the care of the family, and all other domestic concerns.
On this verse there is a profusion of various readings in MSS., versions, and fathers, for which I must refer to Griesbach, as it would be impossible to introduce them here so as to make them look like sense.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 34. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin , etc.] The word memeristai , translated there is difference, stands in some copies at the end of the last verse, and in the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions, by which it is rendered, and is divided; referring to the married man, whose thoughts are distracted with the cares of the world, and his mind divided between the Lord and his wife, between the things that please the one, and those that please the other; so that he cannot attend upon the Lord without distraction, as the unmarried person may; (see Corinthians 7:35). But the more generally received reading is what we follow; in which words the apostle shows, that there is just the same difference between a married and an unmarried woman, as there is between a married and an unmarried man. There is no difference in their nature, nor sex, but in their state and condition, and in the cares which involve the one and the other. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord ; not everyone that is unmarried, but one that has the grace of God, being in a single state; as such an one is more at leisure, and can more conveniently attend on the service of the Lord, so she ought, and generally speaking does: and her end in so doing is, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit ; not in body only, but in spirit also; for outward chastity, without internal holiness, will be of little avail: but as a close adherence to the Lord, and to his worship and service, may be a means of preserving from external pollutions of the body, so likewise of carrying on the internal work of grace upon the soul; not that it is to be thought that unmarried persons are the only ones that are holy in body and spirit; there are some that are so in neither; and there are many married persons that are chaste in their bodies, and possess their vessels in sanctification and honour, and are blessed with inward spiritual purity. But she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband ; not by beautifying and adorning herself with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; though this is all that some care for; but with good works, taking care of her household and family affairs, bringing up her children in an orderly manner, honouring and obeying her husband, doing everything to oblige him, and to engage his love and affection to her, as becomes her; nor is this said of her by way of criticism, only that such is her state and situation in life, that she has not the opportunities and advantages the unmarried person has of serving the Lord; on which account the single life is represented as most advisable to abide in.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 25-35 - Considering the distress of those times, the unmarried state was best Notwithstanding, the apostle does not condemn marriage. How opposit are those to the apostle Paul who forbid many to marry, and entangl them with vows to remain single, whether they ought to do so or not! He exhorts all Christians to holy indifference toward the world. As to relations; they must not set their hearts on the comforts of the state As to afflictions; they must not indulge the sorrow of the world: eve in sorrow the heart may be joyful. As to worldly enjoyments; here is not their rest. As to worldly employment; those that prosper in trade and increase in wealth, should hold their possessions as though the held them not. As to all worldly concerns; they must keep the world ou of their hearts, that they may not abuse it when they have it in their hands. All worldly things are show; nothing solid. All will be quickl gone. Wise concern about worldly interests is a duty; but to be full of care, to have anxious and perplexing care, is a sin. By this maxim the apostle solves the case whether it were advisable to marry. Tha condition of life is best for every man, which is best for his soul and keeps him most clear of the cares and snares of the world. Let u reflect on the advantages and snares of our own condition in life; tha we may improve the one, and escape as far as possible all injury from the other. And whatever cares press upon the mind, let time still be kept for the things of the Lord.
Greek Textus Receptus
μεμερισται 3307 5769 V-RPI-3S η 3588 T-NSF γυνη 1135 N-NSF και 2532 CONJ η 3588 T-NSF παρθενος 3933 N-NSF η 3588 T-NSF αγαμος 22 N-NSF μεριμνα 3309 5719 V-PAI-3S τα 3588 T-APN του 3588 T-GSM κυριου 2962 N-GSM ινα 2443 CONJ η 5600 5753 V-PXS-3S αγια 40 A-NSF και 2532 CONJ σωματι 4983 N-DSN και 2532 CONJ πνευματι 4151 N-DSN η 3588 T-NSF δε 1161 CONJ γαμησασα 1060 5660 V-AAP-NSF μεριμνα 3309 5719 V-PAI-3S τα 3588 T-APN του 3588 T-GSM κοσμου 2889 N-GSM πως 4459 ADV-I αρεσει 700 5692 V-FAI-3S τω 3588 T-DSM ανδρι 435 N-DSM
Vincent's NT Word Studies
34. There is a difference. The textual question here is very perplexing, and it is well-nigh impossible to explain the differences to the English reader. He must observe, 1st. That gunh wife is also the general term for woman, whether virgin, married, or widow. 2nd. That memeristai A.V., there is a difference, literally means, is divided, so that the literal rendering of the A.V., would be, the wife and the virgin are divided. Some of the best texts insert kai and both before and after is divided, and join that verb with the close of ver. 33, so that it reads: careth for the things of the world how he may please his wife, and he is distracted. This makes gunh and parqenov (A.V., wife and virgin) begin a new sentence connected with the preceding by kai and Gunh is rendered woman, and the words h agamov the unmarried, instead of beginning a sentence as A.V., are placed directly after woman as a qualifying phrase, so that the reading is hJ gunh hJ agamov the unmarried woman, and both this and hJ parqenov the virgin are nominative to merimna careth. The whole, then, from the beginning of ver 33, will read: But he who is married careth for the things of the world how he may please his wife, and he is distracted; and the unmarried woman and the virgin care for the things of the Lord.98
Robertson's NT Word Studies
7:34 {And there is a difference also between the wife and the virgin} (kai memeristai kai he gune kai he parqenos). But the text here is very uncertain, almost hopelessly so. Westcott and Hort put kai memeristai in verse #33 and begin a new sentence with kai he gune and add he agamos after he gune, meaning "the widow and the virgin each is anxious for the things of the Lord" like the unmarried man (ho agamos, bachelor or widow) in verse #32. Possibly so, but the MSS. vary greatly at every point. At any rate Paul's point is that the married woman is more disposed to care for the things of the world. But, alas, how many unmarried women (virgins and widows) are after the things of the world today and lead a fast and giddy life.
