婚姻的原则

关于你们所写[a]的事,你们说[b]“男人不碰女人是好事[c]”; 不过为了避免[d]淫乱的事,每个男人都应当有自己的妻子,每个女人也应当有自己的丈夫。 丈夫对妻子应当尽自己的本分,妻子对丈夫也应当如此。 妻子对自己的身体没有主权,这主权在丈夫;同样,丈夫对自己的身体也没有主权,这主权在妻子。 夫妻同房[e]不可拒绝对方,除非为了有一段时间专心[f]祷告;然后仍要在一起,免得撒旦趁着你们不能自制而试探你们。 不过我说这话是出于容忍,而不是出于命令。 我希望所有的人也都像我一样,但是每个人自己都有从神而来的恩赐:有人是这样,有人是那样。

对未婚者的忠告

我对没有结婚的人和寡妇说,如果他们能像我一样保持现状,对他们来说是好事。 但如果他们不能自制,就应该结婚,因为结婚总比心如火烧更好。

对已婚者的忠告

10 至于对那些已经结婚的人,我吩咐——其实不是我,而是主吩咐:妻子不可离开丈夫; 11 但如果还是离开了,就应当守身不嫁,或者与丈夫和好。丈夫也不可离弃妻子。 12 对其余的人,我说——不是主说:如果某个弟兄有不信的妻子,而妻子情愿与他一起生活,他就不可离弃妻子; 13 同样,如果妻子有不信的丈夫,而丈夫情愿与她一起生活,她也不可离弃丈夫[g] 14 因为那不信的丈夫因着妻子就得以圣洁了;而那不信的妻子也因着丈夫得以圣洁了;否则,你们的儿女就是不洁净的;但如今他们是圣洁的。 15 可是如果那不信的一方要离开,就让他离开吧。在这样的事上,那弟兄或姐妹就不受束缚了。不过神召唤了我们[h],是要我们和睦。 16 做妻子的啊,你到底怎么知道将来是否救你的丈夫呢?做丈夫的啊,你怎么知道将来是否救你的妻子呢?

人生的不同处境

17 只是当照着主[i]所分给每个人的,以及神[j]所召唤每个人的去行事。我在各教会中也是这样吩咐的。 18 如果一个人蒙召的时候已经受了割礼[k],就不应该取消割礼的记号;如果一个人蒙召的时候没有受割礼[l],就不应该受割礼。 19 受割礼不重要,不受割礼也不重要,重要的是遵守神的命令。 20 每个人在蒙了召唤的时候怎样,他就应当保持怎样。 21 你蒙召的时候是做奴仆的吗?你不要介意。但如果你真的能成为自由人,还是要把握机会。[m] 22 要知道,做奴仆时在主里蒙召的,就是主的自由人;同样,做自由人时蒙召的,就是基督的奴仆。 23 你们是被重价赎回来的,不要成为人的奴仆。 24 弟兄们,你们每个人蒙召的时候怎样,在神面前就应当保持怎样。

未婚和寡居

25 关于童贞的女子,我没有从主而来的命令,但是我既然蒙主的怜悯成为忠心的人,我就提供意见。 26 实际上,由于现今的艰难,我认为一个人保持现状是合宜的,这才是好的。 27 你已经有妻子约束着,就不要寻求摆脱;你没有妻子束缚着[n],就不要寻求妻子。 28 不过你如果还是要结婚,并不是犯罪;童贞女子如果结婚,也不是犯罪。不过这样的人在今生[o]将要受患难,而我顾惜你们。 29 弟兄们,我要说这一点:时候不多了[p]!从此有妻子的,要像没有妻子的; 30 哭泣的,要像没有哭泣的;快乐的,要像没有快乐的;买了东西的,要像没有什么的; 31 利用世界的,要像没有充分利用世界的;因为这世界的形态正在消逝。

32 我希望你们一无挂虑。没有结婚的男人所挂虑的是主的事,是要怎样讨主的喜悦; 33 而结了婚的男人所挂虑的是世界的事,是要怎样讨妻子的喜悦, 34 这样他就分心了。未婚女子和童贞女子挂虑主的事,以致身体和心灵都得以圣洁;而结了婚的妇女挂虑世界的事,是要怎样讨丈夫的喜悦。 35 我说这话是为了你们自己的益处,不是要给你们套上牢笼,而是要你们行事合宜,毫无分心地殷勤服事主。

36 但如果有人认为他对待自己的童贞女儿不合宜,而且女儿也过了花期,事情又该如此行,就当按着自己所愿的去做——他并不是犯罪,应当让两个人结婚。 37 但如果一个人自己心里坚定不移,也不出于勉强,又对自己的意愿有主权,并且自己心里已经决定留下自己的童贞女儿,那么他就做得好。 38 所以,那让自己的童贞女儿结婚的,做得好;那没有让她结婚的,做得更好。[q]

39 丈夫活着的时候,妻子是受约束的[r];丈夫如果死了[s],妻子就可以自由地嫁给她所愿意的人,只是要嫁给主里的人。 40 但是照我的意见,如果她能保持现状,就更蒙福了。我想我也有神的灵。

Footnotes

  1. 哥林多前书 7:1 有古抄本附“给我”。
  2. 哥林多前书 7:1 你们说——辅助词语。
  3. 哥林多前书 7:1 男人不碰女人是好事——或译作“男人不结婚就好”。
  4. 哥林多前书 7:2 避免——辅助词语。
  5. 哥林多前书 7:5 同房——辅助词语。
  6. 哥林多前书 7:5 有古抄本附“禁食、”。
  7. 哥林多前书 7:13 丈夫——有古抄本作“他”。
  8. 哥林多前书 7:15 我们——有古抄本作“你们”。
  9. 哥林多前书 7:17 主——有古抄本作“神”。
  10. 哥林多前书 7:17 神——有古抄本作“主”。
  11. 哥林多前书 7:18 一个……已经受了割礼——指“犹太人”。
  12. 哥林多前书 7:18 一个……没有受割礼——指“外邦人”。
  13. 哥林多前书 7:21 但如果你真的能成为自由人,还是要把握机会。——或译作“但是即使你有机会成为自由人,也要宁愿充分发挥你作为奴仆的作用。”
  14. 哥林多前书 7:27 没有妻子束缚着——原文直译“被妻子释放”。
  15. 哥林多前书 7:28 今生——原文直译“肉体上”。
  16. 哥林多前书 7:29 不多了——原文直译“减少了”。
  17. 哥林多前书 7:38 或译作“如果有人认为他对待自己的未婚妻不合宜,而且她也过了花期,事情又该如此行,就当按着自己所愿的去做——他并不是犯罪,他们应当结婚。但如果一个人自己心里坚定不移,也不出于勉强,又能控制自己的意志,并且心里已经决定留下自己的未婚妻,那么他就做得好。所以,那与自己的未婚妻结婚的,做得好;那不结婚的,做得更好。”或“如果有人认为自己守童身不合宜,而且他的意愿超过了极限,事情又该如此行,就当按着自己所愿的去做——他并不是犯罪,他们应当结婚。但如果一个人自己心里坚定不移,也不出于勉强,又能控制自己的意志,并且心里已经决定保持自己的童身,那么他就做得好。所以,那结婚的,做得好;那不结婚的,做得更好。”
  18. 哥林多前书 7:39 妻子是受约束的——有古抄本作“妻子是被律法约束的”。
  19. 哥林多前书 7:39 死了——原文直译“睡了”。

Concerning Married Life

Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”(A) But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife,(B) and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time,(C) so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan(D) will not tempt you(E) because of your lack of self-control. I say this as a concession, not as a command.(F) I wish that all of you were as I am.(G) But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.(H)

Now to the unmarried[a] and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.(I) But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry,(J) for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.(K) 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband.(L) And a husband must not divorce his wife.

12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord):(M) If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.(N)

15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.(O) 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save(P) your husband?(Q) Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Concerning Change of Status

17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.(R) This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.(S) 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised.(T) 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing.(U) Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.(V)

21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person;(W) similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.(X) 23 You were bought at a price;(Y) do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.(Z)

Concerning the Unmarried

25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord,(AA) but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy(AB) is trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.(AC) 27 Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.(AD) 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned;(AE) and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short.(AF) From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.(AG)

32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs(AH)—how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.(AI) But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided(AJ) 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[b] and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning.(AK) 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. 38 So then, he who marries the virgin does right,(AL) but he who does not marry her does better.[c]

39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives.(AM) But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.(AN) 40 In my judgment,(AO) she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:8 Or widowers
  2. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Or if she is getting beyond the usual age for marriage
  3. 1 Corinthians 7:38 Or 36 If anyone thinks he is not treating his daughter properly, and if she is getting along in years (or if her passions are too strong), and he feels she ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. He should let her 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 to keep the virgin unmarried—this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who gives his virgin in marriage does right, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I.

But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.

23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.

26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.

27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

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

30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;

31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.

37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.

38 So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.

39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

Principles of Marriage

Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me:

(A)It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. (B)Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. (C)Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that (D)Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. But I say this as a concession, (E)not as a commandment. For (F)I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.

But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: (G)It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but (H)if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

Keep Your Marriage Vows

10 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the (I)Lord: (J)A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.

12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise (K)your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us (L)to peace. 16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will (M)save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

Live as You Are Called

17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And (N)so I [a]ordain in all the churches. 18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? (O)Let him not be circumcised. 19 (P)Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but (Q)keeping the commandments of God is what matters. 20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is (R)the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is (S)Christ’s slave. 23 (T)You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with (U)God in that state in which he was called.

To the Unmarried and Widows

25 Now concerning virgins: (V)I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one (W)whom the Lord in His mercy has made (X)trustworthy. 26 I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—(Y)that it is good for a man to remain as he is: 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.

29 But (Z)this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, 30 those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, 31 and those who use this world as not (AA)misusing it. For (AB)the form of this world is passing away.

32 But I want you to be without [b]care. (AC)He who is unmarried [c]cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. 33 But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. 34 There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman (AD)cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. 35 And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.

36 But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his [d]virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. 37 Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his [e]virgin, does well. 38 (AE)So then he who gives [f]her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.

39 (AF)A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, (AG)only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she remains as she is, (AH)according to my judgment—and (AI)I think I also have the Spirit of God.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:17 direct
  2. 1 Corinthians 7:32 concern
  3. 1 Corinthians 7:32 is concerned about
  4. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Or virgin daughter
  5. 1 Corinthians 7:37 Or virgin daughter
  6. 1 Corinthians 7:38 NU his own virgin