1 Corinthians 7:1-9

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.

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.