1 Corinthians 7:2-27
English Standard Version
2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 (A)The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 (B)Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, (C)so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
6 Now as a concession, (D)not a command, I say this.[a] 7 (E)I wish that all were (F)as I myself am. But (G)each has his own gift from God, (H)one of one kind and one of another.
8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that (I)it is good for them to remain single, (J)as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, (K)they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 To the married (L)I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): (M)the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, (N)she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and (O)the husband should not divorce his wife.
12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. (P)Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you[b] (Q)to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, (R)whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Live as You Are Called
17 Only let each person lead the life[c] (S)that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. (T)This is my rule in (U)all the churches. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? (V)Let him not seek circumcision. 19 (W)For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but (X)keeping the commandments of God. 20 (Y)Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservant[d] when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is (Z)a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is (AA)a bondservant of Christ. 23 (AB)You were bought with a price; (AC)do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers,[e] (AD)in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
The Unmarried and the Widowed
25 Now concerning[f] the betrothed,[g] (AE)I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as (AF)one who by the Lord's mercy is (AG)trustworthy. 26 I think that in view of the present[h] distress (AH)it is good for a person to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Corinthians 7:6 Or I say this:
- 1 Corinthians 7:15 Some manuscripts us
- 1 Corinthians 7:17 Or each person walk in the way
- 1 Corinthians 7:21 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; also verses 22 (twice), 23
- 1 Corinthians 7:24 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 29
- 1 Corinthians 7:25 The expression Now concerning introduces a reply to a question in the Corinthians' letter; see 7:1
- 1 Corinthians 7:25 Greek virgins
- 1 Corinthians 7:26 Or impending
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Bible Gateway Recommends
![ESV Large Print Value Thinline Bible (TruTone, Turquoise, Emblem Design)](https://g.christianbook.com/dg/product/cbd/f108/562167.jpg)
![4.0 of 5.0 stars](/assets/images/merch/stars40.png?5d6f5ee3)
![ESV Student Study Bible--soft leather-look, brown/cordovan with portfolio design](https://g.christianbook.com/dg/product/web/f108/564472.jpg)
![4.5 of 5.0 stars](/assets/images/merch/stars45.png?5d6f5ee3)
![ESV Spiral-Bound Journaling Bible, Hardcover, Five-Volume Set](https://g.christianbook.com/dg/product/web/f108/593173.jpg)
![ESV Scripture Journal: New Testament Set (Artwork by Ruth Chou Simons)](https://g.christianbook.com/dg/product/web/f108/581650.jpg)
![3.5 of 5.0 stars](/assets/images/merch/stars35.png?5d6f5ee3)
![ESV Student Study Bible, TruTone, Sky Blue with Ivy Design](https://g.christianbook.com/dg/product/web/f108/561931.jpg)
![4.5 of 5.0 stars](/assets/images/merch/stars45.png?5d6f5ee3)
![ESV Large Print Value Thinline Bible (TruTone, Mahogany, Border Design)](https://g.christianbook.com/dg/product/web/f108/550294.jpg)
![4.0 of 5.0 stars](/assets/images/merch/stars40.png?5d6f5ee3)