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Now de concerning peri the matters hos you wrote graphō about . Yes, “It is good kalos for a man anthrōpos not to have sexual contact haptō with a woman gynē.” 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. 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. 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. Do not 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 tempt peirazō you hymeis · ho because dia of · ho your hymeis lack of self-control akrasia. This houtos · de I say legō by kata way of concession syngnōmē, not ou of kata command epitagē. 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.

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. 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 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 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 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 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 conceal his circumcision epispaomai. If a man tis was not circumcised en when he was called kaleō, he should not 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 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 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 seek zēteō to be set free lysis; if you are free lyō from apo a wife gynē, do not 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 , 30 and kai those ho who mourn klaiō as hōs though they were not mourning klaiō, and kai those ho who rejoice chairō as hōs though they were not rejoicing chairō, and kai those ho who buy agorazō as hōs though they had no possessions katechō, 31 and kai those ho who use chraomai the ho world kosmos as hōs though they were not 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 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 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.

Teaching on Marriage

Now as to the matters of which you wrote: It is good (beneficial, advantageous) for a man not to touch a woman [outside marriage]. But because of [the temptation to participate in] sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. The husband must fulfill his [marital] duty to his wife [with good will and kindness], and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have [exclusive] authority over her own body, but the husband shares with her; and likewise the husband does not have [exclusive] authority over his body, but the wife shares with him. Do not deprive each other [of marital rights], except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves [unhindered] to prayer, but come together again so that Satan will not tempt you [to sin] because of your lack of self-control. But I am saying this as a concession, not as a command. I wish that all the people were as I am; but each person has his own gift from God, one of this kind and one of that.

But I say to the unmarried and to the widows, [that as a practical matter] it is good if they remain [single and entirely devoted to the Lord] [a]as I am. But if they do not have [sufficient] self-control, they should marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

10 But to the [b]married [believers] I give instructions—not I, but the Lord—that the wife is not to separate from her husband, 11 (but even if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be [c]reconciled to her husband) and that the husband should not leave his wife.

12 To the [d]rest I declare—I, not the Lord [since Jesus did not discuss this]—that if any [believing] brother has a wife who does not believe [in Christ], and she consents to live with him, he must not leave her. 13 And if any [believing] woman has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not leave him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is [e]sanctified [that is, he receives the blessings granted] through his [Christian] wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be [ceremonially] [f]unclean, but as it is they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner leaves, let him leave. In such cases the [remaining] brother or sister is not [spiritually or morally] bound. But God has called us to [g]peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband [by leading him to Christ]? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife [by leading her to Christ]?

17 Only, let each one live the life which the Lord has assigned him, and to which God has called him [for each person is unique and is accountable for his choices and conduct, let him walk in this way]. This is the rule I make in all the churches. 18 Was anyone at the time of his calling [from God already] circumcised? He is not to [h]become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called while uncircumcised? [i]He is not to be circumcised.(A) 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was [when he was] called.

21 Were you a slave when you were called? Do not worry about that [since your status as a believer is [j]equal to that of a freeborn believer]; but if you are able to gain your freedom, [k]do that. 22 For he who was a slave when he was called in the Lord is a freedman of the Lord, likewise he who was free when he was called is a slave of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price [a precious price paid by Christ]; do not become slaves to men [but to Christ]. 24 Brothers, let each one remain with God in that condition in which he was [when he was] called.

25 Now concerning the virgins [of marriageable age] I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26 I think then that because of the impending distress [that is, the pressure of the current trouble], it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you [l]unmarried? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned [in doing so]; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned [in doing so]. Yet those [who marry] will have troubles (special challenges) in this life, and I am trying to spare you that. 29 But I say this, believers: the [m]time has been shortened, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they did not; 30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess [anything]; 31 and those who use the world [taking advantage of its opportunities], as though they did not make full use of it. For the outward form of this world [its present social and material nature] is passing away.

32 But I want you to be free from concern. The unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; 33 but the married man is concerned about worldly things, how he may please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or the virgin is concerned about the matters of the Lord, how to be holy and set apart both in body and in spirit; but a married woman is concerned about worldly things, how she may please her husband. 35 Now I say this for your own benefit; not to restrict you, but to promote what is appropriate and secure undistracted devotion to the Lord.

36 But if any man thinks that he is not acting properly and honorably toward his virgin daughter, [[n]by not permitting her to marry], if she is [o]past her youth, and it must be so, let him do as he wishes, he does not sin; let her marry. 37 But the man who stands firmly committed in his heart, having no compulsion [to yield to his daughter’s request], and has authority over his own will, and has decided in his own heart to keep his own virgin [daughter from being married], he will do well. 38 So then both the father who gives his virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who does not give her in marriage will do better.

39 A wife is bound [to her husband by law] as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry whomever she wishes, only [provided that he too is] in the Lord. 40 But in my opinion a widow is happier if she stays as she is. And I think that I also have the Spirit of God [in this matter].

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:8 Some scholars believe Paul may have been a widower.
  2. 1 Corinthians 7:10 Couples who are both believers.
  3. 1 Corinthians 7:11 In reference to married Christians, Paul teaches that reconciliation is always preferable to separation or divorce and should be actively sought.
  4. 1 Corinthians 7:12 Christians married to non-believers. It is evident that some of the married couples in Corinth had wed before either of them had become Christians, and subsequently the believing spouses probably wondered whether their marriage was legitimate in the eyes of God.
  5. 1 Corinthians 7:14 The unbeliever is not saved by marriage to a Christian. Each person, whether spouse or child, must make a personal decision to accept and follow Christ to receive salvation and God’s promises.
  6. 1 Corinthians 7:14 The word used here seems to be borrowed from the language of OT ritual. There were many things that could render a person ceremonially unclean. All these things would disqualify a person from participating in worship, and required cleansing rituals to correct.
  7. 1 Corinthians 7:15 Probably peace between the spouses, hopefully leading to restoration and salvation (v 16).
  8. 1 Corinthians 7:18 Paul may be speaking figuratively of abandoning all of one’s Jewish heritage and culture; however, there was a procedure in ancient medicine for reversing circumcision.
  9. 1 Corinthians 7:18 A faction of Jewish Christians (often called “Judaizers”) hounded Paul and insisted that Gentile believers must be circumcised.
  10. 1 Corinthians 7:21 In practice, even if both a slave and his master became Christians, the slave would remain so unless he were freed (cf Onesimus and Philemon); he could not claim that his freedom in Christ applied to his civil status as a slave. But it would have been wrong for others to treat a slave differently from anyone else in church services.
  11. 1 Corinthians 7:21 This essentially is an exception to the rule of v 20.
  12. 1 Corinthians 7:27 Lit released from a wife.
  13. 1 Corinthians 7:29 Paul may be referring to the appointed time of the return of Christ, or he may have been focusing on the briefness of human life, or both of these.
  14. 1 Corinthians 7:36 In ancient times marriages were usually arranged by a girl’s father or the head of the family.
  15. 1 Corinthians 7:36 I.e. has reached her child-bearing years.