1 Corinthians 7

King James Version

Full text for 1 Corinthians Chapter 7

1¶ Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: [It is] good for a man not to touch a woman.

2Nevertheless, [to avoid] fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

3Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

4The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

5Defraud ye not one the other, except [it be] with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

6But I speak this by permission, [and] not of commandment.

7For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

8I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

9But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

10¶ And unto the married I command, [yet] not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from [her] husband:

11But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to [her] husband: and let not the husband put away [his] wife.

12But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

13And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

14For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

15But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such [cases]: but God hath called us to peace.

16For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save [thy] husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save [thy] wife?

17¶ But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

18Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

19Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

20Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

21Art thou called [being] a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use [it] rather.

22For he that is called in the Lord, [being] a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, [being] free, is Christ's servant.

23Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

24Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

25¶ Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.

26I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, [I say], that [it is] good for a man so to be.

27Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

28But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

29But this I say, brethren, the time [is] short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;

30And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;

31And they that use this world, as not abusing [it]: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

32But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

33But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please [his] wife.

34There is difference [also] between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please [her] husband.

35And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

36¶ But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of [her] age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.

37Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.

38So then he that giveth [her] in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth [her] not in marriage doeth better.

39¶ The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

40But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Paul addresses the Corinthians' questions regarding marriage and celibacy, advocating marriage as a safeguard against fornication while also commending celibacy for those able to contain themselves for undistracted devotion. He provides guidance on mutual marital duties and divorce, distinguishing between his counsel and the Lord's command. A key theme is remaining in the state wherein one was called, whether married, unmarried, circumcised, or servant, focusing on devotion to God.

Medium Summary

In response to inquiries, Paul states that it is good for a man not to marry, yet he permits marriage to prevent fornication, emphasizing mutual marital duties and the physical union. He advises married couples against separation, except by consent for prayer, and discourages divorce, particularly for believers. For those married to unbelievers, he counsels remaining together if the unbelieving spouse is content, as the believing partner sanctifies the household. Paul also stresses the importance of abiding in one's initial calling, whether circumcised or uncircumcised, servant or free, for one is ultimately Christ's servant. He commends celibacy for virgins and widows, suggesting it allows for undistracted devotion to the Lord, though marriage is not a sin. This counsel is offered with consideration for the present distress and the brevity of time.

Long Summary

Addressing the Corinthians' questions, Paul begins by affirming the goodness of celibacy but immediately permits marriage as a necessary remedy to avoid fornication, instructing every man and woman to have their own spouse. He emphasizes the mutual rendering of "due benevolence" within marriage, asserting that neither spouse has exclusive power over their own body, but rather shares it with the other. Temporary abstinence for prayer and fasting is allowed only by mutual consent, to prevent temptation from Satan. Paul distinguishes between his personal permission and the Lord's commandment, expressing a wish that all were celibate like himself, yet acknowledging God's diverse gifts. For the unmarried and widows, he advises remaining single if possible, but encourages marriage if they cannot contain themselves, stating it is "better to marry than to burn." Regarding married couples, he conveys the Lord's command against a wife departing from her husband or a husband putting away his wife, urging reconciliation if separation occurs. For marriages involving an unbelieving spouse, Paul gives his own counsel: the believing partner should not separate if the unbeliever is willing to dwell with them, as the unbelieving spouse and children are sanctified. However, if the unbeliever departs, the believer is not bound, for God has called them to peace. He then broadens his instruction to a general principle: let every man walk as God has distributed and as the Lord has called him, applying this to circumcision, uncircumcision, and servitude, asserting that one's external state is less important than keeping God's commandments. Paul advises remaining in one's calling, yet encourages using opportunities for freedom if a servant. Concerning virgins, he offers his judgment, not a commandment, suggesting celibacy is good due to "the present distress" and for living "without carefulness," as the unmarried can focus on pleasing the Lord, while the married care for worldly matters to please their spouse. He clarifies that marriage is not a sin, but brings "trouble in the flesh." He also advises those who are bound not to seek to be loosed, and those loose not to seek a wife, emphasizing the brevity of time and the passing fashion of the world. Finally, he addresses a father's decision regarding his virgin daughter, stating that giving her in marriage is well, but not giving her is "better." A wife is bound to her husband until death, after which she is free to remarry "only in the Lord," though Paul deems her happier if she remains a widow.

Core Concepts

  • Marriage and FornicationPaul permits and encourages marriage as a means to prevent sexual immorality, establishing it as the appropriate context for physical intimacy between a man and a woman.
  • Mutual Marital DutiesHusbands and wives are instructed to render "due benevolence" to each other, acknowledging that neither spouse has exclusive power over their own body, but shares it with their partner.
  • Divorce and SeparationThe chapter presents specific commands against divorce for believers, and counsel for unequally yoked marriages, allowing separation only if an unbelieving spouse chooses to depart.
  • Abiding in One's CallingBelievers are encouraged to remain in the social or marital state in which they were called by God, whether circumcised, uncircumcised, servant, or free, recognizing that external circumstances are secondary to one's relationship with God.
  • Celibacy and Undistracted DevotionPaul commends celibacy for those who have the gift, suggesting it allows for greater focus and "without carefulness" devotion to the Lord, free from the worldly cares associated with marriage.
  • Unequally Yoked MarriagesPaul advises believers married to unbelievers not to separate if the unbelieving spouse is content to remain, explaining that the believing partner sanctifies the household and children.
  • The Present Distress and Brevity of TimePaul's counsel, particularly on celibacy, is influenced by the understanding that "the time is short" and "the fashion of this world passeth away," urging believers to live with a detachment from worldly concerns.