The form of this verse is the same as that of the previous clauses beginning with “those who have wives” in 29b. It can be understood as a summary of the previous statements, making a transition to the conclusion in verse 31b. The Greek is literally “and those who use the world as not making-full-use-of-it,” with the second verb “making-full-use-of-it” being a compound of the first verb “use.” Revised Standard Version‘s more general rendering is probably more accurate than Good News Bible‘s narrow one. Translators should try to use a stronger verb for the second one; for example, “did not spend all their time on these things.” But while attempting to render the idea of “making-full-use-of,” translators should avoid such words as “misuse” or “exploit.” These would be misleading.

The words form and is passing away are not used elsewhere by Paul. The Greek word for form usually applied to a person’s outward appearance, and some translations choose this meaning here (“the figure of the world,” Bible de Jérusalem, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). However, Paul’s statements elsewhere about the last days suggest that even if at this point Paul is quoting older teaching, he understands it to mean more than “this present world will change its form, but will still remain.” Most translations agree with the thinking behind Good News Bible‘s rendering “as it is now,” but they express it in differing ways: “this world and all its affairs” (Translator’s New Testament), “the present world” (Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch), “the whole frame of this world” (New English Bible), “the world as we know it” (New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible), “the present phase of things” (Moffatt; similarly Phillips), “this world in its present changing form” (Barclay). Notice that Good News Bible replaces Revised Standard Version‘s positive expression is passing away by an equivalent negative expression “will not last much longer,” which is clearer and more vivid English. Translators can study the variety of translations given above to decide how best to render this sentence in their own languages.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .