MSB 1 COR Chapter 7

Principles of Marriage

7 Now for the matters about [which] you wrote me:[fn] [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 render the affection due[fn] 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 fasting and[fn] 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 For[fn] I wish that all men were as I [am]. But each [man] has his own gift from God, one [in] this [way] and another [in] that.[fn]

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.

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.

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.[fn] 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 us[fn] [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?

Live Your Calling

17 Regardless each one should lead [ the life ] [that] God[fn] has assigned [to him] [and to which] the Lord[fn] 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

The Unmarried and Widowed

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[fn] 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 will please[fn] the Lord. 33 But the married man is concerned about the [affairs] of this world, how he will please [his] wife. 34 And there is a difference between the wife and the virgin. The unmarried woman is concerned about the [work] of the Lord,[fn] how she can be holy in both body and spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the [affairs] of this world, how she will 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.

36 However, if someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his betrothed, [and] if she is beyond [her] youth[fn] and [they] ought [to marry],[fn] 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,[fn] he will do well.

38 So then he who marries [her][fn] does well, but he who {does} not marry [her][fn] does even better.

39 A wife is bound by law[fn] 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.[fn] 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.