1 Corinthians 7 summary meaning ai explained commentary

1 Corinthians 7 meaning explained in AI Summary

This chapter primarily addresses questions the Corinthian church had about marriage, singleness, and sexual morality. Paul offers practical advice, emphasizing that his guidance is based on the current circumstances and not necessarily a universal command from God.

Key Points:

Marriage and Sexual Intimacy (vv. 1-7): Paul acknowledges marriage as the norm and encourages sexual intimacy within it to prevent temptation. He emphasizes mutual consent and responsibility in the marriage relationship.
Singleness and Widows (vv. 8-9, 25-40): Paul, himself unmarried, presents singleness as a valid and potentially advantageous state for serving God without distractions. He advises widows to remain single unless they feel a strong desire to remarry, in which case they should marry "only in the Lord."
Divorce and Remarriage (vv. 10-24): Paul reiterates Jesus' teaching that divorce is generally prohibited except in cases of adultery. He emphasizes reconciliation if possible. If divorce occurs, both parties should remain unmarried or reconcile.
Circumcision and Slavery (vv. 18-24): Paul uses these examples to illustrate that one's social status doesn't define their relationship with God. He encourages believers to remain in their current situation, whether circumcised or not, slave or free, as God can work through any circumstance.
Living in Light of the Future (vv. 29-35): Paul reminds the Corinthians that the present age is passing away. Therefore, they should live with eternity in mind, not becoming overly attached to worldly matters, including marriage.

Overall Message:

Paul emphasizes that all believers, whether married or single, are called to live holy lives dedicated to God. He encourages them to make wise decisions about marriage and sexuality based on their individual circumstances and with a focus on serving God and furthering His kingdom.

1 Corinthians 7 bible study ai commentary

This chapter addresses questions from the Corinthians regarding marriage, singleness, divorce, and Christian liberty within various social states. Paul’s counsel is profoundly practical and eschatological, rooted in the principle that one's primary identity is in Christ, which transcends earthly circumstances. The overarching theme is that believers should live with undivided devotion to the Lord, whether single or married, recognizing that "the present form of this world is passing away." Paul frames both singleness and marriage not as rungs on a spiritual ladder but as distinct gifts (charisma) from God, each with its own advantages for serving Him.

1 Corinthians 7 Context

The city of Corinth was a major Roman commercial hub, known for its cosmopolitan population and notorious sexual immorality, associated with the temple of Aphrodite. In reaction to this pervasive licentiousness, a faction within the Corinthian church appears to have swung to the opposite extreme of asceticism, advocating for celibacy even within marriage. Paul writes to correct both of these errors. His advice is heavily colored by a sense of "present distress" (v. 26), an urgent expectation of Christ's return, which shapes his counsel toward prioritizing eternal matters over temporal arrangements.

1 Corinthians 7:1

"Now for the matters you wrote about: 'It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.'"

In-depth-analysis

A Quoted Slogan: Most scholars believe Paul is quoting a slogan from the Corinthian church's letter to him. Their ascetic faction promoted this idea. Paul will spend the next verses qualifying and correcting this simplistic and potentially harmful view.
"Good" (Greek: kalos): This word means 'noble' or 'honorable', not necessarily morally superior or required. Paul affirms the goodness of celibacy in a specific context but not as a universal mandate against the goodness of marriage.

Bible references

Matthew 19:10-12: "His disciples said to him, 'If this is the situation... it is better not to marry.'... but only those to whom it has been given." (Jesus affirms celibacy as a gift for some for the sake of the kingdom).
Genesis 2:18: "The Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'" (Shows God's original design for marriage, which Paul is not annulling but providing a new-covenant perspective on).

Cross references

Gen 1:28 (be fruitful and multiply); Prov 18:22 (he who finds a wife finds a good thing).

1 Corinthians 7:2-5

"But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband... Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."

In-depth-analysis

A Corrective: Paul immediately counters the ascetic slogan. Marriage is a divine provision and a safeguard against sexual temptation (porneia).
Mutual Obligation: Paul establishes radical equality in the marriage bed. The husband's body belongs to the wife, and the wife's to the husband. This was a revolutionary concept in a patriarchal Greco-Roman world. The word for obligation (opheilē) is a strong term for a debt that must be paid.
Conditions for Abstinence: Abstinence is permissible only under three conditions: 1) it must be by mutual consent, 2) it must be temporary, and 3) it must be for a spiritual purpose (prayer).
Practical Realism: Paul acknowledges the reality of temptation and lack of self-control, showing his pastoral concern.

Bible references

Exodus 21:10: "...he must not deprive the first wife of her food, clothing and marital rights." (An Old Testament legal basis for the non-neglect of conjugal duties).
1 Peter 3:7: "Husbands... live with your wives in an understanding way... so that nothing will hinder your prayers." (Shows the connection between a healthy marital relationship and a healthy spiritual life).

Cross references

Gen 2:24 (one flesh); Prov 5:18-19 (rejoicing in one's wife); Heb 13:4 (marriage bed undefiled); 1 Thess 4:3-5 (abstain from sexual immorality).

1 Corinthians 7:6-7

"I say this as a concession, not as a command. I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that."

In-depth-analysis

Concession, not Command: The "concession" most likely refers to his allowance for marriage in v. 2 as a practical remedy for temptation, not as a universal command for all to marry.
Paul's Personal Wish: He states his personal preference for singleness, not because it is inherently holier, but because of its practical advantages for ministry, which he will explain later.
Gift (charisma): This is a key theological point. Both singleness and marriage are grace-gifts from God. One is not superior to the other; they are different callings suited to different individuals. This counters any sense of spiritual pride in either state.

Bible references

Matthew 19:11: "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given." (Directly parallels Paul's teaching that celibacy is a specific gift).
1 Corinthians 12:4, 7: "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit... Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." (Places singleness/marriage in the broader context of spiritual gifts for building up the church).

Cross references

1 Cor 1:7 (spiritual gifts); Rom 12:6 (gifts that differ).

1 Corinthians 7:8-9

"Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion."

In-depth-analysis

Unmarried (agamois): This term can refer to the never-married (bachelors) and widowers. Paul addresses them alongside widows.
The Practical Good: Again, staying unmarried is "good" (kalos), not morally mandatory. The reason is the same: freedom for service.
The Pragmatic Exception: If celibacy leads to constant, distracting sexual frustration ("burn with passion"), then marriage is the better and proper course. God's grace for marriage should not be refused out of a misguided pursuit of a gift of celibacy one does not have.

Bible references

1 Timothy 5:11, 14: "As for younger widows... I counsel them to marry, to have children, to manage their homes..." (Practical advice for widows, showing marriage is honorable and wise in certain circumstances).
Psalm 68:6: "God sets the lonely in families..." (Reflects God's provision for those who are alone).

Cross references

Ruth 1:9 (finding rest in a husband's home); Isa 54:4-5 (God as husband to the desolate).

1 Corinthians 7:10-11

"To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife."

In-depth-analysis

Command of the Lord: Paul here grounds his teaching directly in the words of Jesus during His earthly ministry. He is not offering new revelation but applying Christ's explicit teaching.
Prohibition of Divorce: The ideal is permanence. Separation is strongly discouraged.
Consequences of Separation: If a believer separates from their believing spouse, there are only two biblically permissible options: remain unmarried or be reconciled. Remarriage to another person is not an option presented here.

Bible references

Mark 10:9: "Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." (The direct teaching of Jesus that Paul is referencing).
Malachi 2:16: "'For I hate divorce,' says the Lord God of Israel..." (The foundational Old Testament principle behind Jesus' and Paul's teaching).
Matthew 5:32: "...anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery..." (Jesus' teaching, including the "exception clause" which Paul does not mention here, likely because it was not relevant to the specific question asked).

Cross references

Matt 19:6; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18.

1 Corinthians 7:12-16

"To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord)... If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her... For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife... Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy."

In-depth-analysis

I, Not the Lord: Paul now addresses a situation Jesus did not cover: mixed-faith marriages where one partner converted after the marriage began. This is apostolic, inspired guidance, not a mere personal opinion.
Sanctified (hēgiastai): The unbelieving spouse is not saved or made morally pure. They are "set apart" by God through their connection to the believer. They are brought into the sphere of God's covenant influence. This gives the marriage a special status.
Children are Holy (hagia): Similarly, the children are not automatically saved. They are "holy" in the sense of being set apart, considered part of the covenant community (like children in ancient Israel) and not as "unclean" outsiders.
The Desertion Clause: If the unbelieving partner chooses to leave, the believer is "not bound" (ou dedoulōtai). There is scholarly debate, but this is widely interpreted to mean the believer is free to remarry.
The Goal is Peace: The primary principle is to preserve the marriage for peace and for the potential salvation of the unbeliever.

Bible references

Ezra 9:1-2: Israelites were commanded to divorce foreign wives to preserve covenant purity. (Paul is making a clear distinction for the New Covenant era; the principle is now evangelistic, not separational).
1 Peter 3:1: "Wives... be submissive to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives." (Shows the evangelistic potential within a mixed-faith marriage).

Polemics

The concept of a non-believer being "sanctified" by a believer has no parallel. It's a unique Pauline teaching to address the specific reality of the expanding church. This counters the legalistic view (seen in Ezra's time) that any association with an unbeliever was defiling. Paul reverses this: the believer's presence is now a sanctifying influence within the family unit.

1 Corinthians 7:17-24

"Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them... Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised... Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you; although if you can gain your freedom, do so... you were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings."

In-depth-analysis

The Central Principle: This section is the theological core of the chapter. Paul elevates the principle he has been applying: one's calling and new identity in Christ are paramount, rendering social, religious, and economic status secondary.
"As you were called": This is the repeated refrain. It is a call to contentment and to serve God within one's circumstances, not to see Christianity as a means of social revolution or personal advancement.
Examples:
- Circumcision/Uncircumcision: A core Jewish/Gentile identity marker. Paul declares it irrelevant. What matters is "keeping God's commands."
- Slavery/Freedom: A fundamental social status. While freedom is preferable if attainable ("do so"), one's spiritual reality as "the Lord's freed person" or "Christ's slave" is what truly defines them.
"Bought at a price": A powerful reminder of Christ's redemption, which redefines all loyalties and gives ultimate value to the believer, irrespective of their worldly status.

Bible references

Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (The foundational theological statement for the principle Paul applies here).
Philemon 1:15-16: Paul asks Philemon to receive his runaway slave, Onesimus, back "no longer as a slave, but... as a dear brother." (A real-life application of the principle from vv. 17-24).

Cross references

1 Cor 6:20 (bought at a price); Eph 6:5-8 (slaves obey masters as unto Christ); Col 3:11, 22 (Christ is all and is in all).

1 Corinthians 7:25-35

"Now about virgins... because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is... The time is short... this world in its present form is passing away... An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs... But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world... I am saying this... to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord."

In-depth-analysis

Virgins (parthenōn): Refers to those who have never married, of either sex.
"The present crisis" (anankēn): The driving reason for Paul's advice. This refers to the eschatological pressure—the shortness of time before Christ's return and the tribulations associated with the "last days."
"The time is short": Life should be lived with an eternal perspective. Worldly relationships and possessions are temporary.
Undivided Devotion: This is the ultimate goal and the primary advantage of singleness. The single person has a unique freedom from the legitimate and necessary concerns of marriage ("how he can please his wife"), allowing for more focused service to God.
A "Noose": Paul's advice is not a restrictive rule (brochon, "a noose" or "restraint"). It is pastoral guidance to promote spiritual freedom, not to burden the conscience.

Bible references

Romans 13:11: "...you know the time, that the hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." (Echoes the same eschatological urgency).
1 John 2:17: "The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." (Parallels the idea that the "form of this world is passing away").
Luke 10:40-42: "But Martha was distracted by all the preparations... Mary has chosen what is better..." (Illustrates the principle of choosing 'undivided devotion' to the Lord over worldly 'distractions').

1 Corinthians 7:36-38

"If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to... 'He should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married.' But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind... to keep her as a virgin—this man also does the right thing. So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better."

In-depth-analysis

Contextual Difficulty: This passage is debated. The most common interpretation is that it refers to a father deciding about his virgin daughter's marriage, or a man deciding about the virgin to whom he is engaged.
"Does right" vs. "Does better": Paul is not making a moral judgment. Marriage is "right" (kalōs poiei). Not marrying, for the reasons already given (undivided devotion), is "better" (kreisson poiei) in a practical sense, given the present crisis. It achieves a higher level of strategic usefulness for the Kingdom, but it is not inherently more holy.

Bible references

Genesis 24: The story of Abraham securing a wife for Isaac shows the ancient custom of fathers arranging marriages, providing context for one interpretation of these verses.
Deuteronomy 22:16-17: Shows paternal responsibility and honor regarding a daughter.

1 Corinthians 7:39-40

"A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord. In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God."

In-depth-analysis

Binding Nature of Marriage: Reinforces that the marriage covenant is for life.
Freedom for Widows: A widow's freedom to remarry is clearly stated.
Key Condition: The one restriction is that she must marry "in the Lord"—that is, she must marry a fellow believer. This remains a foundational principle for Christian marriage.
Paul's Closing Statement: He reasserts his preference for singleness ("she is happier") and gently but firmly claims that this judgment is not merely human opinion but is guided by the Holy Spirit. This gives his counsel apostolic authority.

Bible references

Romans 7:2-3: "For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives... Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive." (A parallel legal and theological statement on the lifelong nature of the marriage bond).
2 Corinthians 6:14: "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?" (Provides the theological basis for the "in the Lord" command).

1 Corinthians chapter 7 analysis

The "Lord's Command" vs. "Paul's Judgment": Paul carefully distinguishes between direct teachings of Jesus from His earthly ministry (e.g., on divorce) and apostolic instruction for new situations the church was facing (e.g., mixed marriages). "I, not the Lord" does not imply his advice is uninspired, but rather clarifies that he is providing new, Spirit-led revelation for a scenario Christ did not explicitly address.
Eschatology Drives Ethics: The entire chapter is framed by the "present distress" and the belief that "the time is short." This eschatological urgency is the primary reason for his counsel toward singleness and detachment from worldly affairs. The advice might be different if the timeframe was assumed to be thousands of years.
Marriage and Singleness as Charismata: By defining both states as "gifts" (v. 7), Paul radically reframes the conversation. Neither is a moral achievement or failure. They are grace-based callings from God, each with its own purpose, benefits, and challenges in service to Him. This prevents spiritual pride on either side.
Sanctification within the Household: The principle in v. 14, where an unbelieving spouse and children are "sanctified" or "holy," is a unique New Covenant application of Old Testament covenantal thinking. Where in the OT the fear was of pagan influence defiling Israel, in the New Covenant the believer is seen as a conduit for God's sanctifying grace and presence within the family, creating a context for salvation.

1 Corinthians 7 summary

Paul provides pastoral guidance on marriage and singleness in response to questions from the Corinthian church. He corrects extreme asceticism by affirming the goodness of marital sexual relations, while also upholding celibacy as a valuable gift for those called to it. His primary thesis, woven throughout, is that believers should remain content in the state in which they were called—whether Jew or Gentile, slave or free, single or married. This counsel is driven by an urgent eschatological perspective: because "the time is short," the ultimate goal is to live with undivided devotion to Christ, free from worldly anxieties.

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1 Corinthians 7 AI Image Audio and Video

1 Corinthians chapter 7 kjv

¹ Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
² Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
³ Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
⁴ The 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.
⁵ Defraud 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.
⁶ But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
⁷ For 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.
⁸ I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
⁹ But 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:
¹¹ But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
¹² But 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.
¹³ And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
¹⁴ For 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.
¹⁵ But 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.
¹⁶ For 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.
¹⁸ Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
²⁰ Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
²¹ Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
²² For 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.
²³ Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
²⁴ Brethren, 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.
²⁶ I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
²⁷ Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
²⁸ But 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.
²⁹ But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
³⁰ And 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;
³¹ And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
³² But 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:
³³ But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
³⁴ There 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.
³⁵ And 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.
³⁷ Nevertheless 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.
³⁸ So 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.
⁴⁰ But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians chapter 7 nkjv

¹ Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
² Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
³ Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.
⁴ The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
⁵ Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
⁶ But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment.
⁷ For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.
⁸ But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am;
⁹ but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
¹⁰ Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband.
¹¹ But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.
¹² But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her.
¹³ And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.
¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.
¹⁵ But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.
¹⁶ For how do you know, O wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?
¹⁷ But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.
¹⁸ Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised.
¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters.
²⁰ Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called.
²¹ Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it.
²² For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave.
²³ You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
²⁴ Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.
²⁵ Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy.
²⁶ I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress? that it is good for a man to remain as he is:
²⁷ Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
²⁸ But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.
²⁹ But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none,
³⁰ those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess,
³¹ and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.
³² But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord?how he may please the Lord.
³³ But he who is married cares about the things of the world?how he may please his wife.
³⁴ There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world?how she may please her husband.
³⁵ And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.
³⁶ But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry.
³⁷ Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well.
³⁸ So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.
³⁹ A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.
⁴⁰ But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment?and I think I also have the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians chapter 7 niv

¹ Now for the matters you wrote about: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman."
² But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband.
³ The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.
⁴ The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.
⁵ Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
⁶ I say this as a concession, not as a command.
⁷ I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
⁸ Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.
⁹ But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
¹⁰ To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.
¹¹ But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
¹² To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.
¹³ And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.
¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
¹⁵ But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.
¹⁶ How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
¹⁷ Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.
¹⁸ Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised.
¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts.
²⁰ Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
²¹ Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you?although if you can gain your freedom, do so.
²² For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord's freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ's slave.
²³ You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.
²⁴ Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.
²⁵ Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.
²⁶ Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.
²⁷ Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.
²⁸ But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
²⁹ What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not;
³⁰ those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep;
³¹ those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.
³² I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs?how he can please the Lord.
³³ But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world?how he can please his wife?
³⁴ and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world?how she can please her husband.
³⁵ I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
³⁶ If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married.
³⁷ But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin?this man also does the right thing.
³⁸ So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.
³⁹ A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.
⁴⁰ In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is?and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians chapter 7 esv

¹ Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: "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 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 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, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
⁶ Now as a concession, not a command, I say this.
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.
⁸ To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am.
⁹ But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
¹⁰ To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband
¹¹ (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and 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. 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 to peace.
¹⁶ For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
¹⁷ Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in 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? Let him not seek circumcision.
¹⁹ For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.
²⁰ Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.
²¹ Were you a bondservant 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 bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.
²³ You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men.
²⁴ So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.
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.
²⁶ I think that in view of the present distress 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 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: 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 as though they had no goods,
³¹ and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.
³² I want you to be free from anxieties. 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, 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, if his 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 does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.
³⁹ 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 in the Lord.
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.

1 Corinthians chapter 7 nlt

¹ Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to abstain from sexual relations.
² But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband.
³ The husband should fulfill his wife's sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband's needs.
⁴ The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife.
⁵ Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won't be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control.
⁶ I say this as a concession, not as a command.
⁷ But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another.
⁸ So I say to those who aren't married and to widows ? it's better to stay unmarried, just as I am.
⁹ But if they can't control themselves, they should go ahead and marry. It's better to marry than to burn with lust.
¹⁰ But for those who are married, I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord. A wife must not leave her husband.
¹¹ But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to him. And the husband must not leave his wife.
¹² Now, I will speak to the rest of you, though I do not have a direct command from the Lord. If a fellow believer has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to continue living with him, he must not leave her.
¹³ And if a believing woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to continue living with her, she must not leave him.
¹⁴ For the believing wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the believing husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy.
¹⁵ (But if the husband or wife who isn't a believer insists on leaving, let them go. In such cases the believing husband or wife is no longer bound to the other, for God has called you to live in peace.)
¹⁶ Don't you wives realize that your husbands might be saved because of you? And don't you husbands realize that your wives might be saved because of you?
¹⁷ Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches.
¹⁸ For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it. And the man who was uncircumcised when he became a believer should not be circumcised now.
¹⁹ For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God's commandments.
²⁰ Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you.
²¹ Are you a slave? Don't let that worry you ? but if you get a chance to be free, take it.
²² And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ.
²³ God paid a high price for you, so don't be enslaved by the world.
²⁴ Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.
²⁵ Now regarding your question about the young women who are not yet married. I do not have a command from the Lord for them. But the Lord in his mercy has given me wisdom that can be trusted, and I will share it with you.
²⁶ Because of the present crisis, I think it is best to remain as you are.
²⁷ If you have a wife, do not seek to end the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not seek to get married.
²⁸ But if you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it is not a sin. However, those who get married at this time will have troubles, and I am trying to spare you those problems.
²⁹ But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage.
³⁰ Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions.
³¹ Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.
³² I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord's work and thinking how to please him.
³³ But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife.
³⁴ His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband.
³⁵ I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.
³⁶ But if a man thinks that he's treating his fianc?e improperly and will inevitably give in to his passion, let him marry her as he wishes. It is not a sin.
³⁷ But if he has decided firmly not to marry and there is no urgency and he can control his passion, he does well not to marry.
³⁸ So the person who marries his fianc?e does well, and the person who doesn't marry does even better.
³⁹ A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord.
⁴⁰ But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God's Spirit when I say this.