1Cor 7:32-34 | RWP | e4.org | Free from cares ( αμεριμνους ). Old compound adjective ( α privative and μεριμνα , anxiety). In N.T. only here and which see. The things of the Lord ( τα του Κυριου ). The ideal state (so as to the widow and the virgin in verse ), but even the unmarried do let the cares of the world choke the word ( ). How he may please the Lord ( πως αρεση τω Κυριω ). Deliberative subjunctive with πως retained in an indirect question. Dative case of Κυριω . Same construction in verse with πως αρεση τη γυναικ (his wife) and in πως αρεση τω ανδρ (her husband).

‏ 1 Corinthians 7:32-34

Free from cares ( αμεριμνους ). Old compound adjective ( α privative and μεριμνα, anxiety). In N.T. only here and Mt 28:14 which see.

The things of the Lord ( τα του Κυριου ). The ideal state (so as to the widow and the virgin in verse 33), but even the unmarried do let the cares of the world choke the word (Mr 4:19).

How he may please the Lord ( πως αρεση τω Κυριω ). Deliberative subjunctive with πως retained in an indirect question. Dative case of Κυριω. Same construction in verse 33 with πως αρεση τη γυναικ (his wife) and in 34 πως αρεση τω ανδρ (her husband).

And there is a difference also between the wife and the virgin ( κα μεμεριστα κα η γυνη κα η παρθενος ). But the text here is very uncertain, almost hopelessly so. Westcott and Hort put κα μεμεριστα in verse 33 and begin a new sentence with κα η γυνη and add η αγαμος after η γυνη, meaning "the widow and the virgin each is anxious for the things of the Lord" like the unmarried man ( ο αγαμος, 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.