1 Corinthians 7:3-6

Principles for Marriage

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

  1. Cross References
    Exodus 21:10
    If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.