New Testament in a Year

Concerning Marriage

7 Now about what you asked: “Is it advisable for a man not to touch a woman inappropriately?”^{[a] 2} 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.

³ A husband should fulfill his obligation to his wife, and a wife should do the same for her husband. ⁴ 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. ⁵ 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. ⁶ But I say this as a concession, not as a command. ⁷ I would like everyone to be unmarried,^[e] like I am. However, each person has a special gift from God, one this and another that.

⁸ I say to those who are unmarried, especially to widows: It is good for them to remain like me. ⁹ However, if they cannot control themselves, they should get married, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.^{[f] 10} To married people I give this command (not really I, but the Lord): A wife must not leave her husband. ¹¹ But if she does leave him, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. Likewise, a husband must not abandon^[g] his wife.

¹² I (not the Lord) say to the rest of you: If a brother has a wife who is an unbeliever and she is willing to live with him, he must not abandon^[h] her. ¹³ And if a woman has a husband who is an unbeliever and he is willing to live with her, she must not abandon^[i] him. ¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified because of her husband.^[j] Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. ¹⁵ But if the unbelieving partner^[k] leaves, let him go. In such cases the brother or sister is not under obligation. God has called you^[l] to live in peace. ¹⁶ Wife, you might be able to save your husband. Husband, you might be able to save your wife.

Live according to God’s Call

¹⁷ Nevertheless, everyone should live the life that the Lord gave him and to which God called him. This is my rule in all the churches. ¹⁸ Was anyone circumcised when he was called? He should not try to change that. Was anyone uncircumcised when he was called? He should not get circumcised. ¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but obeying God’s commandments is everything.^[m]