1 Corinthians 7:17

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Each person should live according to what the Lord has given him and in the state he was when God called him. And this is what I require in all the churches.

Cross References

Matthew 19:12

For there are eunuchs [i.e., men who do not have normal sexual activity] who are born that way; then there are eunuchs who were made that way by undergoing a surgical operation; then there are [also] eunuchs who purposely chose to avoid normal sexual activity for the sake of [ministering in] the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept such an arrangement [i.e., of not marrying], should do so.”

1 Corinthians 10:32

Do not [do what could] cause Jews, Greeks [i.e., Gentiles] or the church of God to fall [away from God].

1 Corinthians 11:16

But if anyone is inclined to argue [about this matter], neither we [apostles] nor the churches of God have any [other] custom than this.

1 Corinthians 11:34

If anyone is [too] hungry [i.e., to wait], he should eat at home, so that your assembly does not result in judgment [falling on some of you. See verse 30]. And I will tend to the remaining matters when I come [to you].

1 Corinthians 14:33

because God is not a God of disorder but of peace [i.e., harmony]. As is the practice in all of the churches of the saints [i.e., God’s holy people],

1 Corinthians 16:1

Now concerning the collection for the [needy] saints [whom you wrote me about]: You people also should do what I directed the churches in Galatia to do.

1 Corinthians 4:17

This is the reason that I am sending Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved and faithful [spiritual] son in [the service of] the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways [i.e., my teaching and conduct] which are in [the service of] Christ. I teach these things in every congregation wherever [I go].

1 Corinthians 7:18

Was any man already circumcised when he was called [by God to be a Christian]? Then he should not [try to] become uncircumcised. [Note: Some Jews in that day resorted to a surgical procedure in an attempt to conceal their circumcision]. Was any man uncircumcised when he was called? Then he should not become circumcised.

1 Corinthians 7:24

Brothers, each person should remain [in fellowship] with God in the [same] state he was in when he was called [by God to be a Christian].

1 Corinthians 7:7

Yet I wish that everyone were like me [i.e., with the ability to remain single. See 9:5]. However, each person has his own special gift from God; one has this gift [i.e., being content to remain single. See Matt. 19:12], and another has the other gift [i.e., feeling the need to marry and have a family].

2 Corinthians 11:28

Besides these [kinds of] things [or, “besides these outward things”], there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.

2 Corinthians 8:18

And we have sent [i.e., are sending] with him the brother who is praised throughout all the churches for [his work in] preaching the Gospel [Note: This “brother” cannot be identified with any certainty].

Galatians 1:22

[At this time] I was still unknown personally to churches in [the province of] Judea, which are in [fellowship with] Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:14

For you brothers became imitators of the churches of God in Judea, which are in [fellowship with] Christ, for you people also suffered the same things from your own countrymen that they did from the Jews,

2 Thessalonians 1:4

Therefore, we ourselves speak proudly about you among the churches of God because of your steadfastness and faith amid all the persecutions and afflictions that you are enduring.