1 Corinthians 7
Wycliffe Bible
7 But of those things that ye have written to me, it is good to a man to touch not a woman [it is good to a man for to not touch a woman].
2 But for fornication each man have his own wife, and each woman have her own husband.
3 The husband yield debt to the wife, and also the wife to the husband.
4 The woman hath not power of her body, but the husband; [also forsooth] and the husband hath not power of his body, but the woman [but the wife].
5 Do not ye defraud each to other [Do not defraud together], but peradventure of consent for a time, that ye give attention to prayer; and again turn again to the same thing, lest Satan tempt you for your uncontinence.
6 But I say this thing as giving leave, not by commandment.[a]
7 For I will, that all men be as myself. But each man hath his proper gift of God; one thus, and another thus.
8 But I say to them, that be not wedded, and to widows [and widows], it is good to them, if they dwell so as I.
9 And if they contain not themselves, be they wedded; for it is better to be wedded, than to be burnt.
10 But to them that be joined in matrimony, I command, not I, but the Lord, that the wife depart not from the husband;
11 and that if she departeth, that she dwell unwedded, or be reconciled to her husband; and the husband forsake not the wife.
12 But to others I say, not the Lord. If any brother hath an unfaithful wife, and she consenteth to dwell with him, leave he her not [If any brother have an unfaithful, or heathen, wife, and she consent for to dwell with him, leave he, or forsake, her not].
13 And if any woman hath an unfaithful husband [And if the woman hath an husband unfaithful], and this consenteth to dwell with her, leave she not the husband.
14 For the unfaithful husband is hallowed by the faithful woman, and the unfaithful woman is hallowed by the faithful husband. Else your children were unclean, but now they be holy.
15 That if the unfaithful departeth, depart he. For why the brother or sister is not subject to servage in such; for God hath called us in peace.
16 And whereof knowest thou, woman, if thou shalt make the man safe; or whereof knowest thou, man, if thou shalt make the woman safe?
17 But as the Lord hath parted to each, and as God hath called each man, so go he, as I teach in all churches.[b]
18 A man circumcised is called, bring he not to prepuce. A man is called in prepuce, be he not circumcised.
19 Circumcision is nought, and prepuce is nought, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
20 Each man in what calling he is called, in that dwell he.
21 Thou servant art called, be it no charge to thee [Thou a servant art called, be it not charge to thee]; but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
22 He that is a servant, and is called in the Lord, is a free man of the Lord. Also [and] he that is a free man, and is called, is the servant of Christ.
23 With price ye be bought; do not ye be made servants of men.
24 Therefore each man in what thing he is called a brother, dwell he in this with God. [Each man therefore in what calling he is called, in that dwell he with God.]
25 But of virgins I have no commandment of God; but I give counsel, as he that hath gotten mercy of the Lord, that I be true.
26 Therefore I guess, that this thing is good for the present need; for it is good to a man to be so [for it is good for a man to be so].
27 Thou art bound to a wife, do not thou seek unbinding; thou art unbound from a wife, do not thou seek a wife.
28 But if thou hast taken a wife, thou hast not sinned; and if a maiden is wedded, she sinned not; nevertheless such shall have tribulation of flesh. But I spare you.
29 Therefore, brethren [And so, brethren], I say this thing, The time is short. Another is this, that they that have wives, be as though they had none;
30 and they that weep, as they wept not; and they that joy, as they joyed not; and they that buy, as they had not;
31 and they that use this world, as they that use [it] not. For why the figure of this world passeth.[c]
32 But I will, that ye be without busyness [Forsooth I will you to be without busyness], for he that is without wife, is busy what things be of the Lord, how he shall please God.
33 But he that is with a wife, is busy what things be of the world, how he shall please the wife [how he shall please his wife], and he is parted.
34 And a woman unwedded and [a] maiden thinketh what things be of the Lord, that she be holy in body and spirit. But she that is wedded, thinketh what things be of the world, how she shall please the husband [how she shall please her husband].
35 And I say these things to your profit, not that I cast to you a snare, but to that that is seemly, and that giveth easiness, without hindering to make prayers to the Lord. [Soothly I say these things to your profit, not that I cast to you a snare, but to that that is honest, and that giveth facility, or easiness, without letting to beseech to the Lord.]
36 And if any man guesseth himself to be seen foul on his virgin, that she is full waxen [that she is well old], and so it behooveth to be done, do she that that she will[d]; she sinneth not, if she be wedded[e].
37 For he that ordained stably in his heart [For why he that ordained stably, or steadfast, in his heart], not having need, but having power of his will, and hath deemed in his heart this thing, to keep his virgin [for to keep his virginity], doeth well.
38 Therefore he that joineth his virgin in matrimony, doeth well; and he that joineth not, doeth better.
39 The woman is bound to the law, as long time as her husband liveth; and if her husband is dead, she is delivered from the law of the husband [she is delivered from the law], be she wedded to whom she will, only in the Lord.
40 But she shall be more blessed, if she dwelleth thus [if she shall thus dwell], after my counsel; and I ween, that I have the Spirit of God.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 7:6 Forsooth I say this thing by indulgence, not after commandment.
- 1 Corinthians 7:17 No but as the Lord hath parted to each, as God hath called each man, so go he, and as I teach in all churches.
- 1 Corinthians 7:31 and they that use this world, as not using. Forsooth the figure, or fairness, or prosperity, of this world passeth.
- 1 Corinthians 7:36 do she what she will/do her keeper what she will/do she that he will
- 1 Corinthians 7:36 s/he sinneth not, if s/he be wedded
1 Corinthians 7
New Matthew Bible
Of marriage, virginity, and widowhood.
7 As for the things you wrote to me about: it is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his wife, and let every woman have her husband. 3 Let the man give due affection to his wife; likewise also the wife to the man. 4 The wife does not have right over her own body, but the husband, and likewise the husband does not have right over his own body, but the wife. 5 Do not withdraw yourselves one from another, unless it be with consent for a time to give yourselves to fasting and prayer. And afterward, come again to the same thing, lest Satan tempt you through your lack of self control.
6 This I say by way of concession, and not of commandment. 7 For I would that all men were as I myself am. But every one has his own gift from God – one of this kind, another of that. 8 I say to the unmarried men and widows that it is good for them if they remain just as I do. 9 But if they cannot abstain, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn.
10 To the married command not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not separate herself from the man. 11 But if she separates herself, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband again. And let not the husband put his wife away from him.
12 To the rest I, and not the Lord, speak. If any brother has a wife who does not believe, if she is content to dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13 And the woman who has an unbelieving husband, if he consents to dwell with her, let her not put him away. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean; but now they are pure. 15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not bound to such. God has called us in peace. 16 For how do you know, O woman, whether you will save that man or not? Or how do you know, O man, whether you will save that woman or not? – 17 but even as God has granted to each.
As the Lord has called every person, so let him walk; and I so ordain in all the congregations. 18 If a man is called when circumcised, let him add nothing to it. If a man is called when uncircumcised, let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God is everything. 20 Let every person abide in the same state in which he was called. 21 Are you called when a servant? Care not for it. But if you may be free, avail yourself of it rather. 22 For he who is called in the Lord when a servant, is the Lord’s free man. Likewise, he who is called when free is Christ’s servant. 23 You are dearly bought; do not be men’s servants. 24 Brethren, let each, in whatever state he is called, abide therein with God.
25 Concerning virgins I have no commandment from the Lord, yet I give counsel as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be faithful. 26 I suppose that it is good for the present necessity. For it is good for a man so to be.
27 Are you bound to a wife? Seek not to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you take a wife, you do not sin. Likewise, if a virgin marries, she does not sin. Nevertheless, the married will have trouble in their flesh. But I make allowance for you.
29 This I say, brethren: the time is short. It remains that those who have wives should be as though they had none, 30 and those who weep should be as though they wept not, and those who rejoice should be as though they did not rejoice. And those who buy should be as though they did not possess, 31 and those who are occupied in this world should be as not consumed in it. For the fashion of this world is passing away.
32 I would have you be without preoccupation. The single man cares for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. 33 But he who is married cares for the things of the world, how he may please his wife. 34 There is a difference between a virgin and a wife. The single woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be pure both in body and also in spirit. But she who is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 This I say for your profit – not to tangle you in a snare, but for that which is fitting and agreeable for you, and so that you may quietly cleave unto the Lord without hindrance.
36 If any man thinks that it is not best for his virgin, if she is passing the time of marriage and if need so requires, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them be coupled in marriage. 37 Nevertheless, he who purposes surely in his heart, having no need, but has power over his own will, and has thus determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. 38 So then, he who joins his virgin in marriage does well, but he who does not join his virgin in marriage does better.
39 The wife is bound to the law as long as her husband lives. If her husband sleeps, she is at liberty to marry whomever she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she remains as she is, in my judgment. And I think indeed that I have the Spirit of God.
1 Corinthians 7
1599 Geneva Bible
7 Entreating here of marriage, 4 which is a remedy against fornication, 10 and may not be broken, 18, 20 he willeth every man to live contented with his lot. 25 He showeth what the end of virginity should be, 35 and who ought to marry.
1 Now [a]concerning the things [b]whereof ye wrote unto me, It were [c]good for a man not to touch a woman.
2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
3 (A)[d]Let the husband give unto the wife [e]due benevolence, and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
4 [f]The wife hath not the power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not the power of his own body, but the wife.
5 Defraud not one another, [g]except it be with consent for a time, that ye may [h]give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and again come together, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
6 [i]But I speak this by permission, not by commandment.
7 For I [j]would that all men were even as I myself am: but every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
8 [k]Therefore I say unto the [l]unmarried, and unto the widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I do.
9 But if they cannot abstain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to [m]burn.
10 (B)[n]And unto the married I command, 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 unto her husband, and let not the husband put away his wife.
12 [o]But to the remnant I speak, and not the Lord, If any brother have a wife that believeth not, if she be content to dwell with him, let him not forsake her.
13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, if he be content to dwell with her, let her not forsake him.
14 [p]For the unbelieving husband is [q]sanctified to the [r]wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified to the [s]husband, else were your children unclean: but now are they [t]holy.
15 [u]But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart: a brother or a sister is not in subjection in [v]such things: [w]but God hath called us in peace.
16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thine husband? Or what knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
17 [x]But as God hath distributeth to every man, as the Lord [y]hath called every one, so let him walk: and so ordain I in all Churches.
18 [z]Is any man called being circumcised? let him not [aa]gather his uncircumcision: is any called uncircumcised? let him not be circumcised.
19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
20 (C)Let every man abide in the same vocation wherein he was called.
21 Art thou called being a servant? [ab]care not for it: but if yet thou mayest be free, use it rather.
22 For he that is called in the [ac]Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called being free, is Christ’s servant.
23 (D)[ad]Ye are bought with a price: be not the servants of men.
24 [ae]Brethren, let every man, wherein he was called, therein abide with [af]God.
25 [ag]Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give mine [ah]advise, as [ai]one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
26 I suppose then [aj]this to be good for the [ak]present necessity: I mean 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 if thou takest a wife, thou sinnest not: and if a virgin marry, she sinneth not: nevertheless, such shall have trouble in the [al]flesh: but I [am]spare you.
29 And this I say, brethren, because the time is [an]short, hereafter that both they which have wives, be as though they had none:
30 And they that [ao]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 [ap]world, as though they used it not: for the [aq]fashion of this world goeth away.
32 And I would have you without care. The unmarried careth for things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord.
33 But he that is married, [ar]careth for the things of the world, how he may please his wife.
34 There is difference also between a virgin and a wife: the unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy, both in body and in [as]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 [at]commodity, not to tangle you in a snare, but that ye follow that which is honest, and that ye may cleave fast unto the Lord without separation.
36 [au]But if any man think that it is uncomely for his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he [av]sinneth not: let them be married.
37 Nevertheless, he that standeth firm in his [aw]heart, that he hath no [ax]need, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart, that he will keep his virgin, he doeth well.
38 So then he that giveth her to marriage, doeth well, but he that giveth her not to marriage, doeth [ay]better.
39 [az]The wife is bound by the [ba]law, as long as her husband (E)liveth: but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to marry with whom she will, only in the [bb]Lord.
40 But she is more blessed, if she so abide in my judgment: (F)and I think that I have also the Spirit of God.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 7:1 He teacheth concerning marriage, that although a single life hath his commodities, which he will declare afterwards, yet that marriage is necessary for the avoiding of fornication: but so that neither one man may have many wives, or any wife many husbands.
- 1 Corinthians 7:1 Touching those matters whereof you wrote unto me.
- 1 Corinthians 7:1 Commodious, and (as we say) expedient. For marriage bringeth many griefs with it, and that by reason of the corruption of our first estate.
- 1 Corinthians 7:3 Secondly, he showeth that the parties married, must with singular affection entirely love one the other.
- 1 Corinthians 7:3 This word (due) containeth all kind of benevolence, though he speak more of one sort than of the other, in that that followeth.
- 1 Corinthians 7:4 Thirdly, he warneth them that they are each in other’s power, as touching the body, so that they may not defraud one another.
- 1 Corinthians 7:5 He addeth an exception: unless the one abstain from the other by mutual consent, that they may the better give themselves to prayer, wherein notwithstanding, he warneth them to consider what is expedient, lest by this long breaking off as it were from marriage, they bestirred up to incontinency.
- 1 Corinthians 7:5 Do nothing else.
- 1 Corinthians 7:6 Fifthly, he teacheth that marriage is not simply necessary for all men, but for them which have not the gift of continency, and this gift is by a peculiar grace of God.
- 1 Corinthians 7:7 I wish.
- 1 Corinthians 7:8 Sixthly, he giveth the selfsame admonition touching the second marriage, to wit, that a single life is to be allowed, but for such as have the gift of continency: otherwise they ought to marry again, that their conscience may be at peace.
- 1 Corinthians 7:8 This whole place is flat against them which condemn second marriages.
- 1 Corinthians 7:9 So to burn with lust, that either the will yieldeth to the temptation, or else we cannot call upon God with a quiet conscience.
- 1 Corinthians 7:10 Seventhly, he forbiddeth contentions and the publishing of divorces (for he speaketh not here of the fault of whoredom, which was then death even by the law of the Romans also) whereby he affirmeth that the hand of marriage is not dissolved, and that from Christ’s mouth.
- 1 Corinthians 7:12 Eighthly, he affirmeth that those marriages which are already contracted between a faithful and an unfaithful or infidel, are firm, so that the faithful may not forsake the unfaithful.
- 1 Corinthians 7:14 He answereth an objection: But the faithful is defiled by the society of the unfaithful. The Apostle denieth that, and proveth that the faithful man with good conscience may use the vessel of his unfaithful wife, by this that their children which are born of them, are accounted holy (that is, contained within the promise) for it is said to all the faithful, I will be thy God, and the God of thy seed.
- 1 Corinthians 7:14 The godliness of the wife is of more force, to cause their coupling together to be accounted holy, than the infidelity of the husband is, to profane the marriage.
- 1 Corinthians 7:14 The infidel is not sanctified or made holy in his own person, but in respect of his wife, he is sanctified to her.
- 1 Corinthians 7:14 To the faithful husband.
- 1 Corinthians 7:14 This place destroyeth the opinion of them that would not have children to be baptized, and their opinion also, that make baptism the very cause of salvation. For the children of the faithful are holy, by virtue of the covenant, even before Baptism, and baptism is added as the seal of that holiness.
- 1 Corinthians 7:15 He answereth to a question: what if the unfaithful forsake the faithful? then is the faithful free, saith he, because he is forsaken of the unfaithful.
- 1 Corinthians 7:15 When any such thing falleth out.
- 1 Corinthians 7:15 Lest any man upon pretence of this liberty should give occasion to the unfaithful to depart, he giveth to understand, that marriage contracted with an infidel, ought peaceably to be kept, that if it be possible the infidel may be won to the faith.
- 1 Corinthians 7:17 Taking occasion by that which he said of the bondage and liberty of matrimony, he digresseth to a general doctrine concerning the outward state and condition of man’s life, as Circumcision and uncircumcision, servitude and liberty: warning every man generally to live with a contented mind in the Lord, what state or condition forever he be in, because that those outward things, as to be circumcised or uncircumcised, to be bond or free, are not of the substance (as they term it) of the kingdom of heaven.
- 1 Corinthians 7:17 Hath bound him to a certain kind of life.
- 1 Corinthians 7:18 Notwithstanding he giveth us to understand, that in these examples all are not like sort: because that circumcision is not simply of itself to be desired, but such as are bound may desire to be free. Therefore herein only they are equal, that the kingdom of God consisteth not in them, and therefore these are no hindrance to obey God.
- 1 Corinthians 7:18 He is said to gather his uncircumcision, who by the help of a Chirurgeon recovereth an upper skin: which is done by the drawing the skin with an instrument, to make it to cover the nut. Celsus in book 7, chapter 25.
- 1 Corinthians 7:21 As though this calling were too unworthy a calling for Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 7:22 He that is in state of a servant, and is called to be a Christian.
- 1 Corinthians 7:23 He showeth the reason of the unlikeness, because that he that desireth to be circumcised, maketh himself subject to man’s tradition, and not to God. And this may be much more understood of superstitions, which some do foolishly accompt for things indifferent.
- 1 Corinthians 7:24 A repetition of the general doctrine.
- 1 Corinthians 7:24 So purely and from the heart, that your doings may be approved before God.
- 1 Corinthians 7:25 He enjoineth virginity to no man, yet he persuadeth and praiseth it for another respect, to wit, both for the necessity of the present time, because the faithful could scarce abide in any place, and use the commodities of this present life, and therefore such as were not troubled with families, might be the readier: and also for the cares of this life, which marriage draweth with it necessity, so that they cannot but have their minds distracteth: and this hath place in women especially.
- 1 Corinthians 7:25 The circumstances considered, this I counsel you.
- 1 Corinthians 7:25 It is I that speak this which I am minded to speak: and the truth is, I am a man, but yet worthy credit, for I have obtained of the Lord to be such an one.
- 1 Corinthians 7:26 To remain a virgin.
- 1 Corinthians 7:26 For the necessity which the Saints are daily subject unto, who are continually tossed up and down, so that their estate may seem most unfit for marriage, were it not that the weakness of the flesh enforced them to it.
- 1 Corinthians 7:28 By the (flesh) he understandeth what things forever belong to this present life, for marriage bringeth with it many discommodities: so that he bendeth more to a sole life, not because it is a service more agreeable to God than marriage is, but for those discommodities, which (if it were possible) he would wish all men to be void of, that they might give themselves to God only.
- 1 Corinthians 7:28 I would your weakness were provided for.
- 1 Corinthians 7:29 For we are now in the latter end of the world.
- 1 Corinthians 7:30 By weeping, the Hebrews understand all adversity, and be joy, all prosperity.
- 1 Corinthians 7:31 Those things which God giveth us here.
- 1 Corinthians 7:31 The guise, the shape, and fashion: whereby he showeth us, that there is nothing in this world that continueth.
- 1 Corinthians 7:33 They that are married, have their wits drawn hither and thither, and therefore if any man have the gift of continency, it is more commodious for him to live alone: but they that are married may care for the things of the Lord also, Clement, Strom. 3.
- 1 Corinthians 7:34 Mind.
- 1 Corinthians 7:35 He meaneth that he will enforce no man either to marry or not to marry, but to show them barely what kind of life is most commodious.
- 1 Corinthians 7:36 Now he turneth himself to the Parents, in whose power and authority their children are, warning them that according to the former doctrine they consider what is meet and convenient for their children, that they neither deprive them of the necessary remedy against incontinency, nor constrain them to marriage, whereas neither their will doth lead them, nor any necessity urgeth them. And again he praiseth virginity, but of itself, and not in all.
- 1 Corinthians 7:36 He doeth well: for so he expoundeth it verse 38.
- 1 Corinthians 7:37 Resolved with himself.
- 1 Corinthians 7:37 That the weakness of his daughter enforceth him not, or any other matter, that that he may safely keep her a virgin still.
- 1 Corinthians 7:38 Provideth more commodiously for his children, and that not simply, but by reason of such conditions as are before mentioned.
- 1 Corinthians 7:39 That which he spake of a widower, he speaketh now of a widow, to wit, that she may marry again, so that she do it in the fear of God: and yet he dissembleth not, but saith, that if she remain still a widow, she shall be void of many cares.
- 1 Corinthians 7:39 By the law of marriage.
- 1 Corinthians 7:39 Religiously, and in the fear of God.
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Copyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
