Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
I think therefore (nomizw oun). Paul proceeds to express therefore the previously mentioned judgment (gnwmhn) and calls it his opinion, not because he is uncertain, but simply because it is not a command, but advice.
By reason of the present distress (dia thn enestwsan anagkhn). The participle enestwsan is second perfect active of enisthmi and means "standing on" or "present" (cf. Galatians 1:4; Hebrews 9:9). It occurs in II Thessalonians 2:2 of the advent of Christ as not "present." Whether Paul has in mind the hoped for second coming of Jesus in this verse we do not certainly know, though probably so. Jesus had spoken of those calamities which would precede his coming (Matthew 24:8 ff.) though Paul had denied saying that the advent was right at hand (II Thessalonians 2:2). Anagkh is a strong word (old and common), either for external circumstances or inward sense of duty. It occurs elsewhere for the woes preceding the second coming (Luke 21:23) and also for Paul's persecutions (I Thessalonians 3:7; II Corinthians 6:4; II Corinthians 12:10). Perhaps there is a mingling of both ideas here.
Namely. This word is not in the Greek. The infinitive of indirect discourse (uparxein) after nomizw is repeated with recitative oti, "That the being so is good for a man" (oti kalon anqrwpw to outwv einai). The use of the article to with einai compels this translation. Probably Paul means for one (anqrwpw, generic term for man or woman) to remain as he is whether married or unmarried. The copula estin is not expressed. He uses kalon (good) as in I Corinthians 7:1.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing 1 Corinthians 7:26:
1 Corinthians 7:7
1 Corinthians 7:27
1 Corinthians 7:38
1 Corinthians 7:40
1 Corinthians 10:11
Galatians 1:4
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.