1 Corinthians7

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.
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Marriage, Abstinence, and Mutual Duty

1
Now for the matters you wrote about: 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 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 the husband. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife. ​
5
Do not deprive each other, except by mutual consent and for a time, so you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you through your lack of self-control. ​
6
I say this as a concession, not as a command. ​
7
I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. ​

Advice for the Unmarried and Widows

8
Now to the unmarried and widows I say this: It is good for them to remain unmarried, as I am.
9
But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. ​

Commands for Christian Marriage

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. ​

Mixed Marriages and Divorce

12
To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. ​
13
And if a woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.
14
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his believing wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. ​
15
But if the unbeliever leaves, let him go. The believing brother or sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you 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? ​

Remain in Your Calling

17
Regardless, each one should lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is what I prescribe in all the churches. ​
18
Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man still uncircumcised when called? He should not be circumcised. ​
19
Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments is what counts. ​
20
Each one should remain in the situation he was in when he was called.
21
Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let it concern you—but if you can gain your freedom, take the opportunity. ​
22
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. ​
23
You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. ​
24
Brothers, each one should remain in the situation he was in when God called him.

Counsel Concerning Virgins and the Present Distress

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 it is good for a man to remain as he is. ​
27
Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you free of 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 troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. ​
29
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; ​
30
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;
31
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. ​
32
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. ​
33
But the married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife,
34
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.
35
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.

Decisions Regarding Engagement and Marriage

36
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. ​
37
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.
38
So then, he who marries the virgin does well, but he who does not marry her does even better. ​

Remarriage of Widows

39
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. ​
40
In my judgment, however, she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God. ​

Study Notes for 1 Corinthians 7

Verse 1

Paul begins by addressing questions raised by the Corinthians, likely concerning an ascetic belief circulating in Corinth that advocated total sexual abstinence, even within marriage.

Verse 2

Paul establishes marriage as the necessary and proper means for avoiding widespread sexual immorality (fornication), thus validating sexual relations within the marital covenant.

Verse 3

The term 'due benevolence' refers to the mutual obligation to provide sexual fulfillment. Paul insists on equality and reciprocity within the marriage relationship.

Verse 4

This verse emphasizes the radical mutuality of Christian marriage, where neither spouse holds exclusive control over their own body, a concept highly counter-cultural in the patriarchal Roman world.

Verse 5

Abstinence must be temporary, mutual, and for a specific spiritual purpose (fasting and prayer). Paul warns against prolonged, forced abstinence, which creates vulnerability to temptation.

Verse 6

Paul clarifies that his allowance for marriage and sexual union is a concession to human weakness ('permission'), not an absolute command or a prohibition against celibacy for those gifted for it.

Verse 7

Paul states his personal preference for celibacy, which allows for undivided devotion, but immediately qualifies this by stressing that both singleness and marriage are distinct 'gifts of God.'

Verse 9

To 'burn' refers metaphorically to the inner torment and danger of unchecked sexual passion (lust). Marriage is presented as the morally superior remedy to avoid falling into sin.

Verse 10

Paul distinguishes between his own apostolic advice and a direct teaching that originated with Jesus himself (cf. Matt 5:32; Mark 10:11-12), establishing the permanence of the marriage bond.

Verse 11

If a separation does occur, reconciliation is the only acceptable outcome, reinforcing the strictness of Christ's command against divorce and remarriage.

Verse 12

Paul now addresses a complex situation not explicitly covered by Christ’s teaching: a marriage between a believer and an unbeliever. He uses his own apostolic authority to provide guidance.

Verse 14

The 'sanctification' is relational, not salvific. The believing spouse's presence sets the household apart, making the children 'holy' (set apart, legitimate members of the covenant community) rather than 'unclean.'

Verse 15

This verse provides the 'Pauline Privilege.' If the unbelieving partner initiates the departure, the believing spouse is free from the marriage bond, as God has called believers to peace, not persistent strife.

Verse 16

Paul introduces a note of humility regarding evangelism within marriage. While believers should seek their spouse’s salvation, the uncertainty of success should not be the sole motivation for remaining in a volatile marriage.

Verse 17

This verse introduces the overarching principle for stability: believers should generally remain in the social, ethnic, or marital status (calling) they held when converted. This principle applies universally.

Verse 18

This addresses a Jewish-Gentile issue in Corinth. Paul insists that external status (circumcision) is irrelevant to one's new identity in Christ.

Verse 19

Paul minimizes the importance of external religious markers compared to inward commitment, stressing that obedience to God's moral law is what matters.

Verse 21

Paul advises slaves not to fret over their status, emphasizing spiritual freedom. However, he adds a clear preference: if freedom is attainable ('use it rather'), they should pursue it.

Verse 22

This verse provides the theological grounding for the previous advice: all believers, regardless of social status, are ultimately servants of Christ and free in Him.

Verse 23

The reminder that they were 'bought with a price' (Christ's sacrifice) means that ultimate allegiance belongs to God, not to human masters or systems; they should not become psychologically or spiritually enslaved to men.

Verse 25

Paul returns to the unmarried, distinguishing his advice ('my judgment') from a direct command of the Lord, basing his recommendation on his apostolic faithfulness.

Verse 26

The 'present distress' (or 'impending necessity') likely refers to the persecution, hardship, or eschatological urgency faced by the church, influencing Paul's preference for singleness.

Verse 28

Marriage is affirmed as sinless, but Paul warns that it inevitably brings 'trouble in the flesh' (worldly anxieties and burdens) that complicate Christian commitment during times of distress.

Verse 29

'The time is short' reinforces the eschatological context. Paul advises a detached, non-possessive attitude toward all worldly attachments—including marriage—due to the urgency of the age.

Verse 31

Believers are to use the world but not be consumed by it ('not abusing it'), recognizing that the current structure and priorities of the world are temporary and 'passeth away.'

Verse 32

Paul argues that singleness inherently allows for undivided devotion to God, freeing one from the temporal, necessary concerns ('carefulness') of providing for a spouse.

Verse 36

This section addresses a father or guardian ('any man') and his daughter ('his virgin'). If the daughter is past her prime or if the guardian feels he is acting improperly by restricting her, they should marry.

Verse 38

Paul sets up a comparison: giving a daughter in marriage ('doeth well') is good, but maintaining her singleness for spiritual devotion ('doeth better') is the preferred choice, assuming no necessity for marriage exists.

Verse 39

Paul confirms the duration of the marriage bond ('as long as her husband liveth'). Widows are free to remarry, but only if the new spouse is also a believer ('only in the Lord').

Verse 40

Paul reaffirms his judgment that remaining unmarried is 'happier' for the widow, grounding his advice in his belief that he speaks under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

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