1 Corinthians 7:34
 
1 Corinthians 7:34
(KJV) There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
(1611 KJV) There is difference also between a wife and a virgin: the vnmaried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that shee may be holy, both in body and in spirit: but she that is married, careth for the things of the worlde, how shee may please her husband.
(1568 Bishops Bible) There is difference betweene a virgin and a wyfe: The vnmaryed woman careth for the thinges that are of the Lorde, that she may be holy both in body and in spirite: Againe she that is maryed careth for the thinges that pertayne to the world, how she may please her husbande.
(1526 Tyndale) There is differece bitwene a virgin and a wyfe. The single woman careth for the thinges of the lorde that she maye be pure both in body and also in sprete But she that is maryed careth for the thinges of the worlde how she maye please her husband.
 
Counterfeit Versions
(CSB) and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the things of the world ​— ​how she may please her husband.
(NIV) and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband.
(NASV) and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
(THE MESSAGE) The time and energy that married people spend on caring for and nurturing each other, the unmarried can spend in becoming whole and holy instruments of God.
(AMP) And he is drawn in diverging directions [his interests are divided and he is distracted from his devotion to God]. And the unmarried woman or girl is concerned and anxious about the matters of the Lord, how to be wholly separated and set apart in body and spirit; but the married woman has her cares [centered] in earthly affairs--how she may please her husband.
(NLT) His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband.
(ESV) and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband.
(CEV) So he is pulled in two directions. Unmarried women and women who have never been married worry only about pleasing the Lord, and they keep their bodies and minds pure. But a married woman worries about the things of this world, because she wants to please her husband.
(1901 ASV) and is divided. So also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
(HCSB) and he is divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is concerned about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.
(NCV) He must think about two things -- pleasing his wife and pleasing the Lord. A woman who is not married or a girl who has never married is busy with the Lord's work. She wants to be holy in body and spirit. But a married woman is busy with things of the world, as to how she can please her husband.
(RSV) and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman or girl is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please her husband.
(NAB-Roman Catholic) and he is divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in both body and spirit. A married woman, on the other hand, is anxious about the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
(NWT-Jehovah’s Witnesses) and he is divided. Further, the unmarried woman, and the virgin, is anxious for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in her body and in her spirit. However, the married woman is anxious for the things of the world, how she may gain the approval of her husband.
 
Textus Receptus - Traditional Text
memeristai h gunh kai h parqenoV h agamoV merimna ta tou kuriou ina h agia kai swmati kai pneumati h de gamhsasa merimna ta tou kosmou pwV aresei tw andri
 
Hort-Westcott - Critical Text
kai memeristai kai h gunh h agamoV kai h parqenoV merimna ta tou kuriou ina h agia [kai] tw swmati kai tw pneumati h de gamhsasa merimna ta tou kosmou pwV aresh tw andri
 
Corrupted Manuscripts
This verse is corrupted in the following manuscripts:
Aleph 01 - Sinaiticus - Nineteenth Century Counterfeit
A 02 - Alexandrinus - Fifth century
B 03 - Vaticanus - Fourth century
D 06 - Paris: Claromontanus - Sixth century (original)
K 018 - Ninth century
L 020 - Ninth century
P 025 - Ninth century
P 15 - Third century
P 46 - circa 200 AD
33 (Minuscule) - Ninth Century
 
Published Critical Greek Texts with Corruptions
Greisbach, Johann - 1805
Lachmann, Karl - 1842
Tischendorf, Constantine - 1869
Tregelles, Samuel - 1857
Alford, Henry - 1849 revised in 1871
Wordsworth, Christopher - 1856 revised in 1870
Westcott and Hort - 1881
Weiss, Bernhard - 1894
Nestle - 1927 as revised in seventeenth edition in 1941
Nestle-Aland - 1979 - Twenty Sixth Edition
Nestle-Aland - 1993 - Twenty Seventh Edition
United Bible Societies - 1983 - Fourth Edition
Von Soden, Freiherr - 1902
 
Affected Teaching
Here the Bible is teaching us that there is difference between a married woman and a virgin. What is in view here is the marriage relationship as it relates to ministry. We are being told that those who are unmarried will have more time for ministry and those that are married will have less time for ministry. This is in no way stating that those who are unmarried and are able to spend more hours in ministry are somehow more holier and more obedient to the Lord. The Bible here is stating that there is a difference between the married woman and the unmarried woman concerning the arena of ministry. Why the modern versions left out that leading sentence is a mystery. It gives an introduction into the subject of marriage. Those who want to get married must realize that their ministry time will be cut down. If one chooses not to marry, then they will be able to continue unabated in ministry.
 
The unmarried woman cares more for the things of the Lord. She is able to be holy (separated unto) in both body and spirit in dedication of herself to the work of the Lord without division or diversion in her walk. She is able to dedicate more time and resources for the work of the Lord.
 
She that is married must dedicate herself to her marriage. The married woman must commit herself to her marriage and the responsibilities of that marriage. While her hearts desire is to be fully dedicated unto the Lord, yet because of family responsibilities she is unable to dedicate as much time as a single woman can. However, there is one thing that must be realized that God did not give the family as an excuse to evade ministry. Families can have wonderful ministries if the parents rule the children instead of the other way around.

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