Principles of Marriage

Now in response to the matters you wrote[a] about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”[b] But because sexual immorality is so common,[c](A) each man should have sexual relations with his own wife,(B) and each woman should have sexual relations with her own husband. A husband should fulfill his marital duty(C) to his wife, and likewise a wife to her husband. A wife does not have the right over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband does not have the right over his own body, but his wife does. Do not deprive(D) one another—except when you agree for a time, to devote yourselves to[d] prayer. Then come together again; otherwise, Satan may tempt you because of your lack of self-control. I say this as a concession, not as a command.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 7:1 Other mss add to me
  2. 7:1 Or “It is good for a man not to use a woman for sex”; lit “It is good for a man not to touch a woman.”
  3. 7:2 Lit because of immoralities
  4. 7:5 Other mss add fasting and to

Concerning Marriage

Now about what you asked: “Is it advisable for a man not to touch a woman inappropriately?”[a] Yes, and yet[b] because sexual immorality is so rampant,[c] every man should have his own wife, and every woman should have her own husband.

A husband should fulfill his obligation to his wife, and a wife should do the same for her husband. A wife does not have authority over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband doesn’t have authority over his own body, but his wife does. Do not withhold yourselves from each other unless you agree to do so just for a set time, in order to devote yourselves to prayer.[d] Then you should come together again so that Satan does not tempt you through your lack of self-control. But I say this as a concession, not as a command.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:1 The Gk. lacks inappropriately
  2. 1 Corinthians 7:2 The Gk. lacks Yes, and yet
  3. 1 Corinthians 7:2 Lit. because of instances of sexual immorality
  4. 1 Corinthians 7:5 Other mss. read to fasting and prayer