1 Corinthians 7 5

1 Corinthians 7:5 kjv

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.

1 Corinthians 7:5 nkjv

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.

1 Corinthians 7:5 niv

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.

1 Corinthians 7:5 esv

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.

1 Corinthians 7:5 nlt

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.

1 Corinthians 7 verses

1 Corinthians 7 5 meaning

1 Corinthians 7:5 instructs married couples not to withhold sexual intimacy from each other. An exception is permitted only under specific conditions: mutual agreement, for a set, limited period, with the dedicated purpose of intensified prayer and devotion. It strictly mandates a return to conjugal relations afterward, explicitly to prevent temptation from Satan dueas a consequence of a lack of self-control. This verse outlines boundaries for temporary marital abstinence, prioritizing the marital bond and protection from spiritual vulnerability.

1 Corinthians 7 5 Context

1 Corinthians chapter 7 is Paul's direct response to questions from the Corinthian church concerning marriage, singleness, divorce, and sexual relations. The cultural backdrop of Corinth was marked by rampant sexual immorality, alongside emerging ascetic tendencies within the Christian community that undervalued or rejected physical intimacy, even within marriage, for perceived spiritual advancement. Some Corinthians, potentially influenced by pagan philosophical dualism that devalued the physical, might have believed that spiritual people should avoid all sexual contact. Paul had previously addressed general sexual immorality in chapters 5 and 6. In chapter 7, he clarifies the divine purpose and sanctity of marriage, starting by asserting the mutual conjugal rights of husband and wife (1 Cor 7:3-4). Verse 5, therefore, is an explanation of the only permissible exception to this rule of regular intimacy, carefully framed with conditions to protect the couple from sin and Satan's temptations, highlighting a balanced, practical, and sanctified view of sexuality within marriage.

1 Corinthians 7 5 Word analysis

• Do not deprive (Greek: apostereite - ἀποστερεῖτε): This word is strong, meaning to defraud, cheat, or rob someone of what is due to them. It indicates that regular sexual intimacy is a right and duty within marriage, making its withholding an act of injustice or unrighteousness. Paul previously used this term for defrauding in a business sense (1 Cor 6:7), showing the gravity of denying this marital obligation.
• each other (Greek: allēlous - ἀλλήλους): Emphasizes reciprocity and mutuality. Sexual rights and duties are not one-sided; both husband and wife owe them to each other, reinforcing the equality established in 1 Cor 7:4. This contrasts with common cultural norms where men might have claimed such rights unilaterally.
• except perhaps (Greek: ei mēti - εἰ μήτι): A specific qualification indicating that this is a narrow and rare exception, not a general allowance or encouragement for abstinence. It's a conditional possibility, not a preferred practice.
• by agreement (Greek: ek symphōnou - ἐκ συμφώνου): Crucial element. The agreement must be mutual, consensual, and freely chosen by both partners. There is no room for unilateral demands or coercion, underscoring partnership in marriage. The root symphonos gives us "symphony," implying harmony.
• for a limited time (Greek: pros kairon - πρὸς καιρόν): Specifies the temporary nature of the abstinence. Kairos here implies a set, specific, and relatively short period, distinct from indefinite or long-term separation. It's for a season, not a lifestyle change.
• that you may devote yourselves (Greek: hina scholasēte - ἵνα σχολάσητε): A purpose clause. Scholasēte means "to have leisure for," "to apply oneself wholly to," or "to give oneself to" something, indicating focused concentration. It implies that temporarily suspending sexual activity frees up time and mental space for dedicated spiritual pursuits.
• to prayer (Greek: tē proseuchē - τῇ προσευχῇ): The singular, primary, specified spiritual purpose for temporary abstinence. Some ancient manuscripts add "and fasting," which, even if not original to this specific verse, aligns with biblical traditions of combining focused prayer with fasting for heightened spiritual intensity (e.g., in times of seeking God, repentance, or spiritual warfare).
• but then come together again (Greek: kai palin epi to auto synerchesthe - καὶ πάλιν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ συνέρχεσθε): An explicit command to resume marital intimacy after the agreed period. Epi to auto synerchesthe literally means "to come together to the same (thing)," i.e., resume their conjugal relationship. This strongly reaffirms the normal marital expectation.
• so that Satan may not tempt you (Greek: hina mē peirazē hymas ho Satanas - ἵνα μὴ πειράζῃ ὑμᾶς ὁ Σατανᾶς): Reveals Paul's practical pastoral concern. Unnatural prolonged abstinence creates vulnerability to the Devil's schemes. Satan exploits human weakness, especially unfulfilled natural desires.
• because of your lack of self-control (Greek: dia tēn akrasian hymōn - διὰ τὴν ἀκρασίαν ὑμῶν): Akrasia denotes a weakness, or an inability to master one's impulses and desires, particularly sexual ones. Paul realistically acknowledges that most people (even within marriage) possess natural desires that, if deliberately unaddressed, can become potent points of temptation to illicit sexual activity, lust, or other forms of sin. It highlights that continuous, non-consensual abstinence risks pushing individuals toward sin.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Do not deprive each other": Establishes a foundational marital right and responsibility. The "defraud" implication signifies the weight of this obligation within the covenant of marriage.
• "except perhaps by agreement for a limited time": Provides strict conditions for any temporary pause in intimacy. Every part—"except perhaps" (rare), "by agreement" (mutual), "for a limited time" (temporary)—is critical, highlighting it as an exceptional, not normative, practice.
• "that you may devote yourselves to prayer": Specifies the sole legitimate spiritual purpose. This is a sacrifice made for an intensified spiritual discipline, not for general spiritual superiority or rejection of physical intimacy.
• "but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you": Gives a firm directive to resume intimacy and states the dire spiritual consequence of not doing so. This reveals Paul's awareness of spiritual warfare intersecting with human physiology and desire.
• "because of your lack of self-control": Points to the inherent human struggle with natural desires, even sanctified within marriage. It's a pragmatic recognition that spiritual discipline, if not wisely handled, can backfire and open a door to greater temptation and sin.

1 Corinthians 7 5 Bonus section

• The phrasing "lack of self-control" (akrasia) does not imply inherent sinfulness in having sexual desire but recognizes that desires, if unmanaged, can lead to temptation and sin. Paul’s solution is not perpetual self-denial but channeled, rightful fulfillment within marriage, interspersed with mutual, temporary, purposed spiritual focus.
• Some scholars note a possible cultural echo: certain pagan philosophical or mystery cults might have advocated sexual abstinence for purity or spiritual power. Paul corrects any such unbiblical view within the church by framing abstinence strictly within a marital context and for specific, limited spiritual ends, ultimately to be interrupted rather than continued.
• The absence of "fasting" in the earliest and most reliable manuscripts for this verse (though it appears in others) suggests Paul primarily focused on "prayer" as the spiritual purpose. However, the conceptual link between heightened prayer and fasting is strong and biblically supported, showing that intensive spiritual focus sometimes involves setting aside other activities.

1 Corinthians 7 5 Commentary

1 Corinthians 7:5 serves as a vital balance to prevailing views in Corinth: on one hand, rampant sexual immorality; on the other, an ascetical mindset that devalued physical intimacy within marriage. Paul champions the married couple's regular sexual relationship as a mutual duty and right, divinely sanctioned. The single, conditional exception to this norm—abstinence for intense spiritual devotion—is heavily qualified: it must be (1) mutually agreed upon, (2) temporary, and (3) specifically for the purpose of focused prayer. The strong directive to resume intimacy after such a period, due to the recognized vulnerability to Satan's temptations stemming from a lack of self-control, underlines that ongoing, unsanctioned, or one-sided abstinence is detrimental and unwise. This verse profoundly underscores that denying physical intimacy within marriage can be a serious breach of marital trust and an opening for spiritual attack. It's a call to practical wisdom, mutual respect, and spiritual prudence within the conjugal relationship, demonstrating that marriage itself is part of God's design for holiness and protection.