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

¶ Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

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.

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.

But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

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.

Advice for the Unmarried and Widows

I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

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

Commands for Christian Marriage

¶ And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

Mixed Marriages and Divorce

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.

And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

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.

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.

For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

Remain in Your Calling

¶ 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.

Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

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.

Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

Counsel Concerning Virgins and the Present Distress

¶ 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.

I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.

Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

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.

But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;

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;

And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

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:

But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

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.

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.

Decisions Regarding Engagement and Marriage

¶ 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.

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.

So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.

Remarriage of Widows

¶ 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.

But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I 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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1 Corinthians7

Marriage, Abstinence, and Mutual Duty

Advice for the Unmarried and Widows

Commands for Christian Marriage

Mixed Marriages and Divorce

Remain in Your Calling

Counsel Concerning Virgins and the Present Distress

Decisions Regarding Engagement and Marriage

Remarriage of Widows

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