1 Corinthians 7

Principles for Marriage

1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: t "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 u The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 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. 5 v 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, w so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

6 Now as a concession, x not a command, I say this. 1 7 y I wish that all were z as I myself am. But a each has his own gift from God, b one of one kind and one of another.

8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that c it is good for them to remain single d as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, e they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

10 To the married f I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): g the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, h she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and g the husband should not divorce his wife.

12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. i Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you 2 j to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, k whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Live as You Are Called

17 Only let each person lead the life l that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. m This is my rule in n all the churches. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? o Let him not seek circumcision. 19 p For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but q keeping the commandments of God. 20 r Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a slave 3 when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is s a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is t a slave of Christ. 23 u You were bought with a price; v do not become slaves of men. 24 So, brothers, 4 w in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

The Unmarried and the Widowed

25 Now concerning 5 the betrothed, 6 x I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as y one who by the Lord's mercy is z trustworthy. 26 I think that in view of the present 7 distress a it is good for a person to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman 8 marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. 29 This is what I mean, brothers: b the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy c as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For d the present form of this world is passing away.

32 I want you to be e free from anxieties. f The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, g not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, 9 if his 10 passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry - it is no sin. 37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. 38 So then he who marries his betrothed h does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.

39 i A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only j in the Lord. 40 Yet k in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think l that I too have the Spirit of God.

  1. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:8
    To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am.
    1 Corinthians 7:26
    I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is.
  2. Cross References
    Exodus 21:10
    If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights.
  3. Cross References
    Exodus 19:15
    And he said to the people, "Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.
    1 Samuel 21:4
    And the priest answered David, "I have no common bread on hand, but there is holy bread - if the young men have kept themselves from women.
    Ecclesiastes 3:5
    A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
    Zechariah 12:12 - 14
    The land shall mourn, each family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves.
  4. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 3:5
    For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.
  5. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:12
    To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.
    1 Corinthians 7:25
    Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.
    2 Corinthians 8:8
    I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine.
    1 Corinthians 7:10
    To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband
    1 Corinthians 7:40
    Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
  6. Cross References
    Acts 26:29
    And Paul said, "Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am - except for these chains.
  7. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:8
    To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am.
    1 Corinthians 9:5
    Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?
  8. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 12:4
    Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
    1 Corinthians 12:11
    All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
    1 Peter 4:10
    As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
    Romans 12:6
    Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith.
  9. Cross References
    Matthew 19:11 - 12
    But he said to them, "Not everyone can receive this saying, but only those to whom it is given.
  10. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:1
    Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.
    1 Corinthians 7:26
    I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is.
  11. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:7
    I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.
  12. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:14
    So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander.
  13. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:6
    Now as a concession, not a command, I say this.
  14. Cross References
    Malachi 2:16
    "For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless."
    Matthew 5:32
    But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
  15. Cross References
    Mark 10:12
    And if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.
  16. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:10
    To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband
  17. Cross References
    Ezra 9:2
    For they have taken some of their daughters to be wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands. And in this faithlessness the hand of the officials and chief men has been foremost.
    Malachi 2:15
    Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.
  18. Cross References
    Colossians 3:15
    And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
    Romans 14:19
    So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
  19. Cross References
    1 Peter 3:1
    Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives.
    Romans 11:14
    In order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.
  20. Cross References
    Romans 12:3
    For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
  21. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 4:17
    That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.
  22. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 8:18
    With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel.
    2 Corinthians 11:28
    And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.
  23. Cross References
    Acts 15:1
    But some men came down from Judea and were teac...
    Acts 15:5
    But some believers who belonged to the party of...
    Acts 15:19
    Therefore my judgment is that we should not tro...
    Acts 15:24
    Since we have heard that some persons have gone...
    Acts 15:28
    For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and t...
    Galatians 5:2
    Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept ci...
  24. Cross References
    Galatians 3:28
    There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
    Galatians 5:6
    For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
    Galatians 6:15
    For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
    Colossians 3:11
    Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
  25. Cross References
    1 John 2:3
    And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.
  26. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:24
    So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
  27. Cross References
    Colossians 3:24
    Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
    Philemon 1:16
    No longer as a slave but more than a slave, as a beloved brother - especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
    John 8:36
    So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
  28. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:21
    To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
    1 Peter 2:16
    Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
  29. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 6:20
    For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
  30. Cross References
    Leviticus 25:42
    For they are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves.
    Leviticus 25:55
    For it is to me that the people of Israel are servants. They are my servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
  31. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:20
    Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.
  32. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:6
    Now as a concession, not a command, I say this.
  33. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 4:1
    Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.
    1 Timothy 1:13
    Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief.
    1 Timothy 1:16
    But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.
  34. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 4:2
    Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.
  35. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:1
    Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.
    1 Corinthians 7:8
    To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am.
  36. Cross References
    Romans 13:11
    Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
  37. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 6:10
    As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
  38. Cross References
    Psalms 39:6
    Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!
    James 1:10
    And the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.
    1 Peter 1:24
    For "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls.
    1 Peter 4:7
    The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
    1 John 2:17
    And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
  39. Cross References
    Matthew 6:25
    Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
    Luke 10:41
    But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things.
  40. Cross References
    1 Timothy 5:5
    She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day.
  41. Cross References
    Proverbs 22:25
    Lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.
  42. Cross References
    Hebrews 13:4
    Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
  43. Cross References
    Romans 7:2
    For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.
  44. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 6:14
    Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
  45. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 7:6
    Now as a concession, not a command, I say this.
  46. Cross References
    Acts 15:28
    For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Previous Book Next Book