Open English Translation 1COR Chapter 7

7 Now concerning what you all wrote to me: “It’s good for a man not to touch a woman.” 2 However, because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3 Both husbands and wives have a marital duty to each other in terms of sexual needs: 4 wives’ bodies belong to their husbands, not to themselves, and similarly, husbands’ bodies belong to their wives, not to themselves. 5 Don’t deprive each other, except by mutual agreement so that you may devote yourselves to prayer for an agreed time, and then be together again, so that Satan can’t easily tempt you all because of your lack of self-control.

6 But that isn’t a command—I’m only suggesting that it’s good to do,[fn] 7 and I wish everyone could be like me. But each person has their own gift from God—one has such-and-such a gift while someone else has a different one.

8 Now to the unmarried and to the widows I say that it’s good if they remain like me,[fn] 9 but if they don’t have self-control, they should marry because it’s better to marry than to burn with sexual desire.

10 Now I (well, not I, but the master) command married people that a wife is not to be separated from her husband[ref] 11 (but even if she might be separated, let her remain unmarried, or let her be reconciled to the husband), and a husband is not to divorce a wife.

12 But to the rest I say (I, not the master) that if any believing husband has an unbelieving wife and she agrees to live with him, he shouldn’t divorce her. 13 Similarly, if any woman has an unbelieving husband and he agrees to live with her, she shouldn’t divorce him. 14 You see, the unbelieving husband is exposed to faith through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is exposed to faith through the believing husband, otherwise your children would be ‘defiled’, but now they are declared innocent. 15 But if the unbeliever departs, let that person go. In such cases, the believing spouse is not tied down to serving their departed spouse, but rather God has called us to peace. 16 You see, how do you know, woman, whether you will cause your husband to be saved? Or how do you know, man, whether you will cause your wife to be saved?

17 Nevertheless, each person should live according to how the master has assigned them and how God has called them. That’s what I teach in all the assemblies. 18 Anyone who was called and who was previously circumcised, shouldn’t become ‘uncircumcised’. Anyone who was called who was uncircumcised, shouldn’t get circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but obeying God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should maintain the position they were in when they were called: 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t be concerned about that (but indeed, if you’re able to become free, then take the opportunity) 22 because anyone who was a slave when they were called by the master is free in the master’s sight. Conversely, anyone who was free when they were called is the master’s slave. 23 You all were bought by God for a price, so don’t become slaves of people. 24 Again[ref] brothers and sisters, each person should remain in the position they were in when they were called, but now serving God.

25 Now concerning unmarried women, I don’t have instructions from the master but I’ll give my opinions as someone who’s trustworthy thanks to the master’s mercy.

26 Therefore, I think it’s good because of the distress that’s about to come, that people should stay as they are currently. 27 If you’re married, then don’t try to get out of it. If you’re not committed, don’t look for a spouse. 28 But if a single guy or single girl get married, that’s not a sin, but they’ll likely face difficult circumstances and I’m trying to spare you from that.

29 But brothers and sisters, I will say this: the time is short, so from now on, even those who’re married should live as if they’re not. 30 Those who’re mourning should act as if they’re not, those who’re celebrating should act as if they’re not, and those who’re buying act as if they don’t own anything, 31 and those who’re using this world, as if they’re not using it, because the present form of this world will soon pass away.

32 But I’d like you to be free from concern. Single men are concerned about things of the master—pleasing the master—33 but married men are concerned about worldly affairs—wanting to please their wives—so they’re divided. And unmarried or single women 34 are concerning about things of the master—so that both their bodies and their spirits can be separate from the world—but married women are concerned about worldly affairs—wanting to please their husbands.

35 Now I said all that for your benefit—not to load you all with rules, but to act in ways that are appropriate and devoted to the master without any distractions.

36 However, if a man thinks he’s made the wrong decisions about his unmarried woman,[fn] if she’s reached the age of marriage and it should proceed, then he should do what he planned—he’s not sinning—they should get married. 37 But if the man has made up his mind and isn’t forced, but makes his own decision, and he’s firmly decided to keep his own woman unmarried, then that would also be a good decision. 38 That way, anyone allowing his unmarried woman to marry does well, but anyone who doesn’t, makes a better decision.

39 A wife is committed to her husband as long as he lives, but if he passes away, she’s free to marry whoever she wants to, as long as he’s a believer. 40 However, in my opinion, she’d be happier if she didn’t marry again, and I think it’s God’s spirit that wants me to say that.