1 Corinthians 7 9

1 Corinthians 7:9 kjv

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

1 Corinthians 7:9 nkjv

but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

1 Corinthians 7:9 niv

But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

1 Corinthians 7:9 esv

But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

1 Corinthians 7:9 nlt

But if they can't control themselves, they should go ahead and marry. It's better to marry than to burn with lust.

1 Corinthians 7 verses

1 Corinthians 7 9 Meaning

This verse conveys that if individuals who are unmarried lack the capacity for self-control over their sexual desires, it is preferable for them to enter into marriage. Marriage is presented as a divinely approved remedy and safeguard against sexual sin and uncontrolled passion, being a better alternative than being consumed by sinful desire or experiencing the torment of uncontrolled lust (often described metaphorically as "burning").

1 Corinthians 7 9 Context

First Corinthians chapter 7 addresses specific questions raised by the Corinthian believers regarding marriage, singleness, and sexual relations (1 Cor 7:1). Paul is offering divinely inspired counsel, navigating a cultural context where asceticism (abstinence from worldly pleasures) was sometimes valued above marriage by some Christians, while others were living with rampant sexual immorality. The broader chapter outlines Paul's preferences for singleness for those gifted (1 Cor 7:7) to better serve the Lord without distraction, but immediately establishes marriage as a necessary and holy provision for the majority. Verse 9 is specifically for those who might otherwise seek to remain single but are not spiritually equipped with the gift of self-control. This advice serves as a corrective to any misinterpretation that singleness is universally superior or required for all.

1 Corinthians 7 9 Word analysis

• But (δὲ, de): A conjunction introducing a contrast or shift in thought. It marks a transition from Paul's preference for singleness (1 Cor 7:7-8) to a necessary alternative.
• if they cannot (εἰ δὲ οὐ δύνᾰνται, ei de ou dynamai): "If" introduces a conditional clause. "Cannot" (δύναμαι, dynamai) implies an inability or lack of power/capacity. It speaks to a genuine lack of spiritual enablement or developed self-control.
• exercise self-control (ἐγκρατεύομαι, enkrateuomai): From enkrateia (ἐγκράτεια), meaning "self-control," "mastery over oneself." This is a virtue listed as a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:23). Here it specifically refers to mastery over sexual urges and passions. Paul uses the term in athletic contexts (1 Cor 9:25) to describe the strict discipline required for competition.
• let them marry (γαμησάτωσαν, gamēsatosan): An aorist imperative, third person plural. It signifies a direct command or strong injunction. This is not merely a suggestion, but an explicit instruction from the Apostle, demonstrating that marriage is the God-ordained and proper course of action for those who struggle with sexual self-control.
• for it is better (κρεῖσσον γὰρ, kreisson gar): Kreisson means "better," "more profitable," "superior." The particle gar means "for" or "because," introducing the reason or justification for the command. Paul unequivocally states that marriage is the superior path compared to the alternative.
• to marry (γαμεῖν, gamein): An infinitive, the action of getting married.
• than to burn (ἢ πυροῦσθαι, ē puresthai): Ē means "or," "than." Puresthai (πυροῦσθαι) is from pyroō (πυρόω), meaning "to set on fire," "to inflame." Here, it's used metaphorically in the passive voice, implying to "be aflame," "to burn with passion," specifically sexual lust and unfulfilled desire. It can also suggest the anguish or inner torment caused by unmortified lust or even the danger of succumbing to sexual sin, potentially leading to divine judgment or the fire of God's wrath, though the immediate context emphasizes the torment of unchecked lust.

Word Groups Analysis:

• "But if they cannot exercise self-control": This phrase highlights a specific condition. Paul is not advocating universal marriage but providing a pastoral solution for those who, despite their best efforts or lack of the spiritual gift of celibacy, find themselves overwhelmed by their sexual desires. This condition acknowledges human frailty and the reality of different spiritual capacities among believers. It underscores that abstinence requires a measure of spiritual discipline and, for some, a divine enablement.
• "let them marry, for it is better": This establishes marriage as God's designed and good provision. The imperative "let them marry" is a divine authorization and counsel, making it clear that marriage for this reason is a righteous choice. The emphatic "better" (κρεῖσσον) weighs the goodness of marriage against the grave consequences of unchecked sexual desire, positioning marriage as a merciful safeguard.
• "to marry than to burn": This contrasting phrase explicitly sets two distinct paths or states. "To burn" represents the intense, consuming, and potentially destructive nature of unfulfilled, sinful passion. This burning refers to the internal struggle with lust that could lead to sexual immorality, defilement, and a life not honoring God. Marriage, therefore, is portrayed not merely as a concession, but as a preferable and holy means to live righteously and honor God with one's body, avoiding the sin to which intense, unchecked passion could lead.

1 Corinthians 7 9 Bonus section

The context of 1 Corinthians also includes philosophical ideas from Corinthian culture, where some might have considered all sexual activity, even within marriage, to be inherently impure or a distraction from spiritual pursuits (an ascetic tendency). Paul directly counteracts this by affirming the goodness and necessity of marriage for most people. His advice serves as a strong counter-polemic against any Gnostic or ascetic view that would disparage marriage or the human body. The counsel here ensures that individuals are not pressured into an ascetic lifestyle they are not gifted for, which would paradoxically lead them into greater temptation and sin. It affirms the created order of marriage as good (Gen 2:24) and honors the human need for companionship and sexual expression within holy boundaries, protecting believers from succumbing to the fiery temptations of lust.

1 Corinthians 7 9 Commentary

In 1 Corinthians 7:9, Paul offers practical, Spirit-inspired counsel for believers wrestling with their sexuality outside of marriage. Having previously stated his personal preference for singleness due to its capacity for undistracted devotion to the Lord (1 Cor 7:7-8), Paul swiftly addresses the realistic limitations faced by many. He asserts that while singleness can be a spiritual gift, it is not universally bestowed. For those who lack the spiritual strength or divine grace (the enkrateia) to manage their sexual impulses righteously in a state of singleness, marriage is not merely permitted, but strongly encouraged, indeed, commanded. The phrase "it is better to marry than to burn" is pivotal. "Burning" vividly describes the intense, often tormenting internal struggle with uncontrolled lust or desire that, if unaddressed, will inevitably lead to sexual sin. Paul is not just suggesting marriage as an escape from temptation; he is presenting it as the biblically sanctioned and honourable channel for sexual expression for those unable to maintain celibacy without succumbing to sin. Marriage is seen as a divine antidote to sexual immorality, a God-given means to pursue holiness and prevent the self-inflicted spiritual harm that comes from unresolved or indulged lustful desires. This verse underscores God's compassion and wisdom, providing a path to purity for all His children.