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1 Corinthians 7:35-37
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
1 Corinthians 7:35-37
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
35 I am telling you this for your own benefit, not to impose a restraint upon you, but for the sake of propriety and adherence to the Lord without distraction.(A)
36 [a]If anyone thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, and if a critical moment has come[b] and so it has to be, let him do as he wishes. He is committing no sin; let them get married. 37 The one who stands firm in his resolve, however, who is not under compulsion but has power over his own will, and has made up his mind to keep his virgin, will be doing well.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 7:36–38 The passage is difficult to interpret, because it is unclear whether Paul is thinking of a father and his unmarried daughter (or slave), or of a couple engaged in a betrothal or spiritual marriage. The general principles already enunciated apply: there is no question of sin, even if they should marry, but staying as they are is “better” (for the reasons mentioned in 1 Cor 7:28–35). Once again the charisma of 1 Cor 7:7 which applies also to the unmarried (1 Cor 7:8–9), is to be presupposed.
- 7:36 A critical moment has come: either because the woman will soon be beyond marriageable age, or because their passions are becoming uncontrollable (cf. 1 Cor 7:9).
1 Corinthians 7:35-37
New International Version
1 Corinthians 7:35-37
New International Version
35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided(A) devotion to the Lord.
36 If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong[a] and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning.(B) They should get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 7:36 Or if she is getting beyond the usual age for marriage
New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE)
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