I wish is probably better than Good News Bible‘s “I would prefer” or Revised English Bible‘s “I should like.” A strong verb is required here—the equivalent of the English “I really would prefer,” “I want,” or “It would make my heart very happy.”

In the Greek the transition from verse 6 is uncertain. Some manuscripts have “for,” others “but.” The word “but” that Good News Bible translates as “actually” expresses a strong contrast, which is probably the case in this verse. Paul is indicating a change to a fresh aspect of the theme, or more precisely, he is returning in verse 7 to what he said in verse 1. In both verses he is speaking quite generally, so all includes both men and women. Good News Bible‘s “of you” is not in the Greek text, but verse 7b shows that all must refer to Christians.

As I myself am implies “unmarried,” as Revised Standard Version and Good News Bible make explicit in verse 8, where the Greek is the same. As I … am may also be expressed as “were in the same state as I am” or “were in the same condition….”

The but that introduces the second half of the sentence is strong and means almost “nevertheless” or “however”; for example, “However, each one has….”

Each can be rendered as “each person” or “each one of you.”

Translators should consider how to express in their own language the double change of direction that is indicated by the words Good News Bible translates “actually” and “but.” Verse 7a echoes verse 1; verse 7b makes a transition between the previous discussion of marriage and the following advice to the unmarried and widows. The Greek, however, is too general to suggest that the phrase of one kind (Good News Bible‘s “this gift”) should be identified with marriage, and that of another (Good News Bible‘s “that gift”) be identified with celibacy. Good News Bible shows the contrast quite clearly.

In languages that do not use the passive, the clause each has his own special gift from God may be expressed as “God gives a special ability to each one.”

The final two clauses may be rendered “one person has a certain ability, and another one has a different ability.”

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 .