complete verse (1 Corinthians 7:37)

Following are a number of back-translations of 1 Corinthians 7:37:

  • Uma: “But if for instance that unmarried-man says in his heart: ‘It’s better for me not to get-married [wived],’–no one is forcing him, it’s his own desire–and if he is able to withstand the desires of his body, it’s good if they don’t get-married [coupled].” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “But if a person is certain in his liver that his daughter should not marry and there is nothing that forces him not to let his child/daughter marry, it is only from his wish that his daughter does not marry, his doing is also good.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “However, if that girl is not having a hard time, then never mind if he does not allow her to marry because this is better; however, he can do whatever he thinks best.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “But if his mind is firm/made-up that he is doing right if he doesn’t give-her -in-marriage and it’s not mandatory that she be married, that’s also good.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “But if what is in the mind of the man is, he will not now marry that woman he has a (marriage) arrangement with, for he will hold fast to his unmarried state, that is also good. As long as he has really ensured in his mind/inner-being that that is what would be good for him to do, not just being forced into it, and he has been graced with the ability to control himself.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Tenango Otomi: “Concerning the man who firmly thinks that he should not give his daughter in marriage, thinking in his heart that it is not required, then it is good what he does.” (Source: Tenango Otomi Back Translation)
  • Matumbi: “But if a person has himself has decided in his heart not to marry, and is not controlled by anyone, but instead controls himself and his desires to not marry that woman, he does rightly.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific notes in Paratext)

Translation commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:37

Paul’s language here suggests that he is dealing with an actual case at Corinth. This impression is given more clearly here than in verse 36.

Firmly expresses the meaning of the Greek perfect tense of the verbal expression established in his heart, which refers to a state of being rather than to a single past event. The clause firmly established in his heart may be expressed as “has set his heart strongly.”

Being under no necessity uses the word that was translated “distress” in verse 26, but there is no suggestion in this verse of events in the “last days.” This phrase may also be rendered as “nobody is making him do it” or “without anything forcing (or, compelling) him.”

The clause having his desire under control may be rendered as “but if he is able to control his desires (or, will) completely….”

To keep her as his betrothed is literally “to go-on-keeping his own virgin,” certainly implying that she will stay unmarried and still a virgin.

He will do well translates a Greek text that requires expansion in many languages, including English. Well is the adverb that corresponds to the adjective “good” in 5.6, and “well” in 7.1 and 7.8. An expanded translation such as Good News Bible‘s “he does well not to marry the girl” will bring out the meaning clearly here.

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 .