1 Corinthians 7:29

King James Version (KJV)

But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;

Translations

1 Corinthians 7:29 - Amplified Bible

I mean, brethren, the appointed time has been winding down {and} it has grown very short. From now on, let even those who have wives be as if they had none,

1 Corinthians 7:29 - American Standard Version

But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none;

1 Corinthians 7:29 - Bible in Basic English

But I say this, my brothers, the time is short; and from now it will be wise for those who have wives to be as if they had them not;

1 Corinthians 7:29 - Darby Bible

But this I say, brethren, the time is straitened. For the rest, that they who have wives, be as not having [any]:

1 Corinthians 7:29 - English Standard Version

This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none,

1 Corinthians 7:29 - King James Version

But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;

1 Corinthians 7:29 - La Biblia de las Americas

Mas esto digo, hermanos: el tiempo ha sido acortado; de modo que de ahora en adelante los que tienen mujer sean como si no la tuvieran;

1 Corinthians 7:29 - The Message

I do want to point out, friends, that time is of the essence. There is no time to waste, so don’t complicate your lives unnecessarily. Keep it simple —in marriage, grief, joy, whatever. Even in ordinary things—your daily routines of shopping, and so on. Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out.

1 Corinthians 7:29 - New American Standard Bible

But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none;

1 Corinthians 7:29 - Nueva Biblia Latinoamericana de Hoy

Pero esto digo, hermanos: el tiempo ha sido acortado; de modo que de ahora en adelante los que tienen mujer sean como si no la tuvieran;

1 Corinthians 7:29 - World English Bible

But I say this, brothers: the time is short, that from now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none;

1 Corinthians 7:29 - Young's Living Translation

And this I say, brethren, the time henceforth is having been shortened -- that both those having wives may be as not having;

1 Corinthians 7:29 - Additional Comments

Paul warns against putting roots down too deep in a world that is passing away. Some criticize Paul, or even declare him a false prophet, because he says the time is short. But Paul is true to the heart and teaching of Jesus, who told all Christians in all ages to be ready and anticipate His return.
Jesus told us in Matt 24:44, "Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." We are to be ready, and to regard the time as short, not only because Jesus can return at any time, but also because it cultivates a more obedient, on-fire walk with Jesus Christ.
Even without considering the return of Jesus, it is worthwhile and accurate for Christians to live as if the time is short. Psalm 39:5: "Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor."
The Greek word for short is sustello, "contracted and rolled up, as sails used to be by the mariners, when the ship draws nigh to the harbour." (Trapp) "The time (saith he) is short; furled up, like sails when the mariner comes near his port." (Poole) The harbor is near, and the sails are shortened! Get the ship ready for harbor!
Paul is not encouraging the neglect of proper family duties, but encouraging living as if the time is short. It means that we will not live as if our earthly family was all that mattered, but also live with an eye to eternity.
A time is short attitude will also not indulge the feelings and things of this world; weeping, rejoicing, and having possessions must not get in the way of following hard after Jesus. Morris on the form of this world is passing away: "There is nothing solid and lasting in this world system; it is its nature to pass away. It is folly for believers to act as though its values were permanent."
(Mostly from David Guzik)

Comments are closed.