Principles for Marriage

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: (A)“It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. (B)The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 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. (C)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, (D)so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Now as a concession, (E)not a command, I say this.[a] (F)I wish that all were (G)as I myself am. But (H)each has his own gift from God, (I)one of one kind and one of another.

To the unmarried and the widows I say that (J)it is good for them to remain single, (K)as I am.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:6 Or I say this:

Bible Gateway Recommends

ESV Economy Bible, Large Print Softcover
ESV Economy Bible, Large Print Softcover
Retail: $7.99
Our Price: $5.23
Save: $2.76 (35%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV My Creative Bible--imitation leather, teal
ESV My Creative Bible--imitation leather, teal
Retail: $44.99
Our Price: $25.84
Save: $19.15 (43%)
ESV Economy Bible, Large Print Softcover, Case of 24
ESV Economy Bible, Large Print Softcover, Case of 24
Retail: $191.76
Our Price: $102.99
Save: $88.77 (46%)
ESV Church Bible (Value Pew Bible) Case of 24
ESV Church Bible (Value Pew Bible) Case of 24
Retail: $311.76
Our Price: $155.76
Save: $156.00 (50%)
ESV Study Bible, Large Print, Genuine Leather, Black
ESV Study Bible, Large Print, Genuine Leather, Black
Retail: $129.99
Our Price: $87.99
Save: $42.00 (32%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
The ESV New Inductive Study Bible, Milano Softone, Green
The ESV New Inductive Study Bible, Milano Softone, Green
Retail: $74.99
Our Price: $37.50
Save: $37.49 (50%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars