1 Corinthians 7
Expanded Bible
About Marriage
7 Now ·I will discuss [L concerning] the things you wrote me about [C in a letter from the Corinthians; see 8:1; 12:1; 16:1]. It is good for a man not to ·have sexual relations with [L touch; C a euphemism for sex] a woman [C probably another slogan (6:12; 8:1, 4; 10:23) asserting that a celibate lifestyle was spiritually superior]. 2 But because ·sexual sin is a danger [of sexual temptations; L of sexual sins], each man should ·have [or have sexual relations with] his own wife, and each woman should ·have [or have sexual relations with] her own husband. 3 The husband should give his wife all that he owes her as his wife [C meet her sexual needs]. And the wife should give her husband all that she owes him as her husband [C meet his sexual needs]. 4 The wife does not have ·full rights [L authority] over her own body; her husband shares them. And the husband does not have ·full rights [authority] over his own body; his wife shares them [C revolutionary teaching in the first century, when wives were generally viewed as the possession of their husbands]. 5 Do not ·refuse to give your bodies to [refuse sex to; L deprive] each other, unless you both agree to stay away from sexual relations for a time so you can ·give your time [devote yourselves] to prayer. Then ·come together again [resume your sexual relationship] so Satan cannot tempt you because of a lack of self-control. 6 I say this ·to give you permission to stay away from sexual relations for a time [L as a concession/allowance]. It is not a command to do so. 7 I wish that everyone were like me [C unmarried], but each person has his own gift from God. One has one gift, another has another gift.
8 Now for those who are not married and for the widows I say this: It is good for them to stay unmarried as I am. 9 But if they cannot ·control themselves [exercise self-control], they should marry. It is better to marry than ·to burn with sexual desire [L to burn].
10 Now I give this command for the married people. (The command is not from me; it is from the Lord [C Jesus taught on divorce; Mark 10:5–12].) A wife should not ·leave [separate from; or divorce] her husband. 11 But if she does ·leave [or divorce], she must not marry again, or she should ·make up [reconcile] with her husband. Also the husband should not ·divorce [or leave] his wife.
12 For ·all the others [the rest] I say this (I am saying this, not the Lord [C Jesus gave no instruction on this, but Paul still speaks with authority as an apostle]): If a ·Christian man [L brother] has a wife who is not a believer, and she is ·happy [content; willing] to live with him, he must not ·divorce [or leave] her. 13 And if a Christian woman has a husband who is not a believer, and he is ·happy [content; willing] to live with her, she must not ·divorce [or leave] him. 14 The husband who is not a believer is ·made holy [sanctified; touched by holiness] through his believing wife. And the wife who is not a believer is ·made holy [sanctified; touched by holiness] through her believing husband. If this were not true, your children would ·not be clean [be spiritually impure; or be without spiritual influence], but now your children are holy [C some Corinthians said an unbeliever defiled a Christian marriage; Paul reverses this and says believers “sanctify” the marriage].
15 But if those who are not believers decide to ·leave [or divorce], let them ·leave [or divorce]. When this happens, the ·Christian man [L brother] or ·woman [L sister] is ·free [L not bound; C to the marriage covenant]. But God called us[a] to ·live in peace [L peace]. 16 Wife, you don’t know; maybe you will save your husband. And husband, you don’t know; maybe you will save your wife.
Live as God Called You
17 But in any case each one of you should continue to live ·the way [or in the situation] God has given you to live—the way you were when God called you. This is a ·rule [instruction] I make in all the churches. 18 If a man was already circumcised when he was called, he should not undo his circumcision. If a man was without circumcision when he was called, he should not be circumcised. 19 ·It is not important if a man is circumcised or not [L Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing]. The important thing is ·obeying [keeping] God’s commands. 20 Each one of you should stay ·the way you were [in the situation you were in] when God called you. 21 If you were a slave when God called you, do not let that bother you. But if you can ·be free [gain your freedom], ·then make good use of your freedom [or then take that opportunity; or instead remain and make use of your opportunities as a slave]. 22 [L For] Those who were slaves when the Lord called them are free persons who belong to the Lord. In the same way, those who were free when they were called are now Christ’s slaves. 23 You all were bought at a great price, so do not become slaves of people. 24 Brothers and sisters, each of you should stay as you were when you were called, ·and stay there with God [or with God at your side; L with God].
Questions About Getting Married
25 Now I write about ·people who are not married [or those never married; or betrothed women; L virgins]. I have no command from the Lord about this; I give my ·opinion [perspective; judgment]. But I can be trusted, because the Lord has shown me mercy. 26 Because ·the present time is a time of trouble [of the present crisis/distress/trouble], I think it is ·good [best] for you to stay the way you are. 27 If you ·have a wife [L are bound to a wife; or are pledged to a woman], do not try to ·become free from [or divorce] her. If you are not married, do not try to find a wife. 28 But if you decide to marry, you have not sinned. And if a ·girl who has never married [or betrothed woman; L virgin] decides to marry, she has not sinned. But those who marry will have ·trouble [trials; tribulation] in ·this life [this world; L the flesh], and I want ·you to be free [to spare you] from trouble [C during times of persecution, those with family obligations suffer the most].
29 Brothers and sisters, this is what I mean: ·We do not have much time left [The time is short/limited/coming to an end]. So starting now, those who have wives should live as if they had no wives. 30 Those who are ·crying [weeping; mourning] should live as if they were not ·crying [weeping; mourning]. Those who ·are happy [rejoice] should live as if they were not ·happy [rejoicing]. Those who buy things should live as if they ·own [or could keep/hold on to] nothing. 31 Those who use ·the things of the world [L the world] should live as if they were not ·using [engrossed in; dependent upon] them, because this world in its present form ·will soon be gone [is passing away].
32 I want you to be free from ·worry [concern]. A man who is not married is ·busy [concerned] with the Lord’s work, trying to please the Lord. 33 But a man who is married is ·busy [concerned] with things of the world, trying to please his wife. 34 He ·must think about two things—pleasing his wife and pleasing the Lord [L is divided]. A woman who is not married or a ·girl who has never married [or betrothed woman; L virgin] is ·busy [concerned] with the ·Lord’s work [L things of the Lord]. She wants to be holy in body and spirit. But a married woman is ·busy [concerned] with things of the world, as to how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this to help you, not to ·limit [restrain] you. But I want you to live ·in the right way [or in a proper/orderly manner; or above criticism], to ·give yourselves fully [be devoted] to the Lord without ·concern for other things [distraction].
36 If a man thinks he is ·not doing the right thing with [or acting improperly toward] ·the girl he is engaged to [L his virgin; C it is possible, but less likely, that the passage concerns a father’s decision to allow his virgin daughter to marry; a third option is that it is about a couple in a “spiritual” (celibate) marriage deciding whether to consummate it], if ·she is almost past the best age to marry [or his passions are too strong; L he/she is at the highest point] and ·he feels he should marry her [L it ought to be so], he should do what he wants. They should get married. It is no sin. 37 But if a man is ·sure [resolved; firm] in his ·mind [conviction; heart] that there is no ·need for marriage [obligation; necessity], and has his own ·desires [or will] under control, and has decided ·not to marry the one to whom he is engaged [to keep her a virgin], he is doing the right thing. 38 So the man who marries his ·fiancée [L virgin] does right, but the man who does not marry will do better.
39 A woman ·must stay with [is bound to] her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry any man she wants, but she must marry ·another believer [L in the Lord]. 40 The woman is ·happier [better off; more blessed] if she ·does not marry again [L remains as she is]. This is my ·opinion [perspective; judgment], but I believe I also have God’s Spirit [C Paul affirms he is speaking for God].
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 7:15 us Some Greek copies read “you.”
1 Corinthians 7
Mounce Reverse Interlinear New Testament
7 Now de concerning peri the matters hos you wrote graphō about . Yes, “It is good kalos for a man anthrōpos not mē to have sexual contact haptō with a woman gynē.” 2 But de because dia of cases ho of sexual porneia immorality , each hekastos man should have echō · ho his heautou own wife gynē and kai each hekastos woman · ho her idios own husband anēr. 3 The ho husband anēr should fulfill apodidōmi his ho marital responsibility opheilē to his ho wife gynē, and de likewise homoiōs · kai the ho wife gynē to her ho husband anēr. 4 For the ho wife gynē does exousiazō not ou have authority exousiazō over ho her idios own body sōma, but alla the ho husband anēr does. In the same homoiōs way , · de · kai the ho husband anēr does exousiazō not ou have authority exousiazō over ho his idios own body sōma, but alla the ho wife gynē does. 5 Do not mē deprive apostereō one allēlōn another , except ei perhaps mēti an by ek agreement symphōnos for pros a set time kairos, so hina that you may devote scholazō yourselves to ho prayer proseuchē; then kai come eimi together epi again palin, · ho so that hina Satan Satanas may not mē tempt peirazō you hymeis · ho because dia of · ho your hymeis lack of self-control akrasia. 6 This houtos · de I say legō by kata way of concession syngnōmē, not ou of kata command epitagē. 7 I wish thelō · de that all pas men anthrōpos were eimi as hōs · kai I myself emautou am. But alla each hekastos has echō his own idios gift charisma from ek God theos, one ho of one kind houtōs and de one ho of another houtōs.
8 Now de to the ho unmarried agamos and kai to the ho widows chēra I say legō that it is good kalos for them autos if ean they remain menō single, as hōs I kagō am. 9 But de if ei they are not ou practicing self-control enkrateuomai, they should marry gameō; for gar it is eimi better kreittōn to marry gameō than ē to burn pyroō with sexual passion.
10 To the ho · de married gameō I give this command parangellō ( not ou I egō, but alla the ho Lord kyrios): a wife gynē should chōrizō not mē separate chōrizō from apo her husband anēr 11 ( however de if ean · kai she does chōrizō, let her remain menō unmarried agamos or ē else be reconciled katallassō to her ho husband anēr), and kai a husband anēr should aphiēmi not mē divorce aphiēmi his wife gynē.
12 To the ho · de rest loipos I say legō ( I egō, not ou the ho Lord kyrios): If ei some tis brother adelphos has echō a wife gynē who is not a believer apistos, and kai she houtos is willing syneudokeō to live oikeō with meta him autos, he should not mē divorce aphiēmi her autos. 13 And kai if ei some tis woman gynē has echō a husband anēr who is not a believer apistos, and kai he houtos is willing syneudokeō to live oikeō with meta her autos, she should not mē divorce aphiēmi · ho him anēr. 14 For gar the ho unbelieving apistos husband anēr is consecrated hagiazō · ho through union with en his ho wife gynē, and kai the ho unbelieving apistos wife gynē is consecrated hagiazō · ho through union with en her ho husband adelphos. Otherwise epei ara · ho your hymeis children teknon would be eimi defiled akathartos, but de as it is nyn, they are eimi holy hagios. 15 But de if ei the ho unbelieving apistos partner separates chōrizō, let it be so chōrizō. In en such cases toioutos the ho brother adelphos or ē the ho sister adelphē is not ou bound douloō. · ho It is to en · de peace eirēnē that God theos has called kaleō us hymeis. · ho 16 For gar how tis do you know oida, wife gynē, whether ei you will save sōzō your ho husband anēr? Or ē how tis do you know oida, husband anēr, whether ei you will save sōzō your ho wife gynē?
17 Only ei mē, as hōs the ho Lord kyrios has assigned merizō to each hekastos person , as hōs God theos has called kaleō each hekastos one , · ho so houtōs let that person conduct peripateō his life . And kai thus houtōs I prescribe diatassō in en all pas the ho churches ekklēsia. 18 If a man tis was already circumcised peritemnō when he was called kaleō, he should not mē conceal his circumcision epispaomai. If a man tis was not circumcised en when he was called kaleō, he should not mē submit to circumcision peritemnō. 19 · ho Circumcision peritomē is eimi nothing oudeis and kai · ho uncircumcision akrobystia is eimi nothing oudeis. Rather alla, it is keeping tērēsis God’ s theos commandments entolē that counts. 20 Let menō each hekastos person continue menō in en that condition houtos · ho in which hos he was called kaleō.
21 If you were a slave when called kaleō, do not mē be concerned melei about it. However alla, if ei · kai you are able dynamai to gain ginomai your freedom eleutheros, make the most mallon of the opportunity chraomai. 22 For gar the ho one who was called kaleō by en the Lord kyrios as a slave is eimi a freedman apeleutheros of the Lord kyrios. Likewise homoiōs, the ho one who was called kaleō as a free eleutheros person is eimi a slave of Christ Christos. 23 You were bought agorazō with a price timē; do not mē become ginomai slaves of men anthrōpos. 24 Each hekastos one in the condition in en which hos he was called kaleō, brothers adelphos, in en that houtos condition let him remain menō with para God theos.
25 Now de concerning peri · ho virgins parthenos: I have echō no ou command epitagē from the Lord kyrios, but de I give didōmi my opinion gnōmē as hōs one who has been shown mercy eleeō by hypo the Lord kyrios and is eimi trustworthy pistos. 26 I think nomizō, then oun, that this houtos is hyparchō good kalos because dia of the ho present enistēmi distress anankē— that hoti it is good kalos for a man anthrōpos · ho to remain houtōs as he is eimi. 27 If you are married deō to a wife gynē, do not mē seek zēteō to be set free lysis; if you are free lyō from apo a wife gynē, do not mē seek zēteō a wife gynē. 28 But de if ean · kai you do marry gameō, you have not ou sinned hamartanō, and kai if ean a virgin parthenos marries gameō, · ho she has not ou sinned hamartanō. However de those toioutos who do marry will have echō worldly sarx trouble thlipsis, · ho · ho and de I egō am trying to spare pheidomai you hymeis. 29 And de I say phēmi this houtos, my brothers adelphos: the ho time kairos has eimi grown short systellō. From now on ho those ho who have echō wives gynē should hina · kai be eimi as hōs though they had echō none mē, 30 and kai those ho who mourn klaiō as hōs though they were not mē mourning klaiō, and kai those ho who rejoice chairō as hōs though they were not mē rejoicing chairō, and kai those ho who buy agorazō as hōs though they had no mē possessions katechō, 31 and kai those ho who use chraomai the ho world kosmos as hōs though they were not mē absorbed katachraomai in it. For gar the ho form schēma of ho this houtos world kosmos is passing away paragō.
32 I want thelō · de you hymeis to be eimi free from concern amerimnos. An ho unmarried man agamos is concerned merimnaō about the ho things of the ho Lord kyrios, how pōs to please areskō the ho Lord kyrios. 33 But de a ho married gameō man is concerned merimnaō about the ho things of the ho world kosmos, how pōs to please areskō his ho wife gynē, 34 and kai he is divided merizō. · kai An ho unmarried agamos woman gynē · ho or kai a ho virgin parthenos is concerned merimnaō about the ho things of the ho Lord kyrios, that hina she may be eimi holy hagios both kai in ho body sōma and kai · ho spirit pneuma. But de a ho married gameō woman is concerned merimnaō about the ho things of the ho world kosmos, how pōs to please areskō her ho husband anēr. 35 I am saying legō this houtos · de for pros · ho your hymeis autos benefit symphoros, not ou to hina put epiballō a restraint brochos on epiballō you hymeis, but alla to promote pros · ho propriety euschēmōn and kai undivided aperispastōs devotion euparedros to the ho Lord kyrios.
36 If ei · de someone tis believes nomizō he is not treating aschēmoneō · ho his autos virgin parthenos in an appropriate manner , if ean his passions are eimi strong hyperakmos, and kai so houtōs it has opheilō to be ginomai, he should do poieō what hos he desires thelō, it is no ou sin hamartanō— let them marry gameō. 37 However de, the man who hos stands histēmi firm hedraios in en · ho his autos resolve kardia is under echō no mē compulsion anankē but de has echō control exousia over peri · ho his idios desire thelēma, and kai has determined krinō this houtos in en · ho his idios heart kardia to keep tēreō her ho as his heautou virgin parthenos, he will do poieō well kalōs. 38 So then hōste · kai the ho one who marries gamizō · ho his heautou virgin parthenos does poieō well kalōs, and kai the ho one who does not mē marry gamizō will do poieō even better kreittōn.
39 A wife gynē is bound deō for epi such hosos a time chronos as her autos husband anēr is alive zaō. · ho But de if ean her ho husband anēr should die koimaō, she is eimi free eleutheros to marry gameō whom hos she wishes thelō, only monon in en the Lord kyrios. 40 But de in kata my emos opinion gnōmē she will be eimi happier makarios if ean she remains menō as she is houtōs. · ho And de I believe dokeō that I too kagō have echō the Spirit pneuma of God theos.
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