Letters to the Churches

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.

Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called.

Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity.

For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave.

You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

Brothers, each one should remain in the situation he was in when God called him.

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.

Because of the present crisis, I think it is good for a man to remain as he is.

Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you free of commitment? Do not look for a wife.

But if you do marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

What I am saying, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none;

those who weep, as if they did not; those who are joyful, as if they were not; those who make a purchase, as if they had nothing;

and those who use the things of this world, as if not dependent on them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

I want you to be free from concern. The unmarried man is concerned about the work of the Lord, how he can please the Lord.

But the married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife,

and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the work of the Lord, how she can be holy in both body and spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, how she can please her husband.

I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but in order to promote proper decorum and undivided devotion to the Lord.

However, if someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his betrothed, and if she is beyond her youth and they ought to marry, let him do as he wishes; he is not sinning; they should get married.

But the man who is firmly established in his heart and under no constraint, with control over his will and resolve in his heart not to marry the virgin, he will do well.

So then, he who marries the virgin does well, but he who does not marry her does even better.

A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.

In my judgment, however, she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.

But the one who loves God is known by God.