Principles for Marriage

1 Corinthians 7

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?

  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.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Next Book Next Book