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.

Marriage, Abstinence, and Mutual Duty

1
Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman. ​
2
But, because of sexual immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. ​
3
Let the husband render to his wife the affection owed her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. ​
4
The wife doesn’t have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise also the husband doesn’t have authority over his own body, but the wife. ​
5
Don’t deprive one another, unless it is by consent for a season, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and may be together again, that Satan doesn’t tempt you because of your lack of self-control. ​
6
But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment. ​
7
Yet I wish that all men were like me. However each man has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind. ​

Advice for the Unmarried and Widows

8
But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am.
9
But if they don’t have self-control, let them marry. For it’s better to marry than to burn. ​

Commands for Christian Marriage

10
But to the married I command—not I, but the Lord—that the wife not leave her husband ​
11
(but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband not leave his wife. ​

Mixed Marriages and Divorce

12
But to the rest I—not the Lord—say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her. ​
13
The woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband.
14
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. ​
15
Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace. ​
16
For 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
Only, as the Lord has distributed to each man, as God has called each, so let him walk. So I command in all the assemblies. ​
18
Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised. ​
19
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. ​
20
Let each man stay in that calling in which he was called.
21
Were you called being a bondservant? Don’t let that bother you, but if you get an opportunity to become free, use it. ​
22
For he who was called in the Lord being a bondservant is the Lord’s free man. Likewise he who was called being free is Messiah’s bondservant. ​
23
You were bought with a price. Don’t become bondservants of men. ​
24
Brothers, let each man, in whatever condition he was called, stay in that condition with God.

Counsel Concerning Virgins and the Present Distress

25
Now concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy. ​
26
I think that it is good therefore, because of the distress that is on us, that it is good for a man to be as he is. ​
27
Are you bound to a wife? Don’t seek to be freed. Are you free from a wife? Don’t seek a wife.
28
But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to spare you. ​
29
But I say this, brothers: the time is short, that from now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none; ​
30
and those who weep, as though they didn’t weep; and those who rejoice, as though they didn’t rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn’t possess;
31
and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away. ​
32
But I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; ​
33
but he who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife.
34
There is also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.
35
This I say for your own profit; not that I may ensnare you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to the Lord without distraction.

Decisions Regarding Engagement and Marriage

36
But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn’t sin. Let them marry. ​
37
But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own heart, to keep his own virgin, does well.
38
So then both he who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and he who doesn’t give her in marriage does better. ​

Remarriage of Widows

39
A wife is bound by law for as long as her husband lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whomever she desires, only in the Lord. ​
40
But she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have God’s Spirit. ​

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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