1 COR 7:5 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) 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.

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Do not deprive each other, except by mutual agreement for a season, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and then be together again, so that Satan might not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

UST You should only stop having sex regularly when both of you agree to do so for a brief time. You should only do this when you want to focus on praying to God, and you should soon resume having sex regularly. If you do not do this quickly, Satan will use how you desire to have sex to entice you to do what is wrong.

BLB Do not deprive one another, except by mutual agreement, for a time, that you might be at leisure for prayer; and be together the same again, so that Satan may not tempt you through your lack of self-control.

AICNT Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to [[fasting and]][fn] prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

7:5, fasting and: Later manuscripts add. BYZ TR

OEB Do not deprive each other of what is due – unless it is only for a time and by mutual consent, so that your minds may be free for prayer until you again live as man and wife – otherwise Satan might take advantage of your want of self-control and tempt you.

WEBBE 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.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Do not deprive each other, except by mutual agreement for a specified time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then resume your relationship, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

LSV Do not defraud one another, except by consent for a time, that you may be free for fasting and prayer, and again may come together, that Satan may not tempt you because of your self-indulgence;

FBV So don't deprive each other, except by mutual consent for a while— for example because you want to spend time in prayer. Afterwards be together again so that Satan won't tempt you to sin because of your lack of self-control.

TCNT Do not deprive one another, except by mutual consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to [fn]fasting and [fn]prayer and then come together again so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

7:5 fasting and 91.5% ¦ — CT 6.8%

7:5 prayer and ¦ prayer, but PCK

T4T You may refuse to have sexual relations with each other [EUP] only if you both first agree to do that for a short time, in order that you may both have more time to pray. Then after that, begin having sexual relations again [EUP] in order that Satan will not be able to persuade you to have sex with someone else because you are unable to control your sexual desires.

LEB Do not defraud one another, except perhaps by agreement, for a time, in order that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and then you should be _⌊together_⌋[fn] again, lest Satan tempt you because of your lack of self control.

7:5 Literally “at the same”

BBE Do not keep back from one another what is right, but only for a short time, and by agreement, so that you may give yourselves to prayer, and come together again; so that Satan may not get the better of you through your loss of self-control.

Moff Do not withhold sexual intercourse from one another, unless you agree to do so for a time in order to devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again. You must not let Satan tempt you through incontinence.

Wymth Do not refuse one another, unless perhaps it is just for a time and by mutual consent, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer and may then associate again; lest the Adversary begin to tempt you because of your deficiency in self-control.

ASV Defraud ye not one the other, except it be by consent for a season, that ye may give yourselves unto prayer, and may be together again, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency.

DRA Defraud not one another, except, perhaps, by consent, for a time, that you may give yourselves to prayer; and return together again, lest Satan tempt you for your incontinency.

YLT Defraud not one another, except by consent for a time, that ye may be free for fasting and prayer, and again may come together, that the Adversary may not tempt you because of your incontinence;

Drby Defraud not one another, unless, it may be, by consent for a time, that ye may devote yourselves to prayer, and again be together, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency.

RV Defraud ye not one the other, except it be by consent for a season, that ye may give yourselves unto prayer, and may be together again, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency.
(Defraud ye/you_all not one the other, except it be by consent for a season, that ye/you_all may give yourselves unto prayer, and may be together again, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency. )

SLT Deprive ye not one another, except somewhat of an agreement for a time, that ye might have leisure for fasting and prayer; and again upon the same ye might come together, lest Satan tempt you for your want of self command.

Wbstr Defraud ye not one the other, except with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan may not tempt you for your incontinence.

KJB-1769 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.
(Defraud ye/you_all not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye/you_all may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. )

KJB-1611 Defraud you not one the other, except it bee with consent for a time, that yee may giue your selues to fasting and prayer, and come together againe, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinencie.
(Defraud you not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye/you_all may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinencie.)

Bshps Defraude you not the one the other, except it be with both your consentes for a time, that ye may geue your selues to fasting and prayer: and afterward come together againe, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinencie.
(Defraude you not the one the other, except it be with both your consentes for a time, that ye/you_all may give yourselves to fasting and prayer: and afterward come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinencie.)

Gnva Defraude not one another, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may giue your selues to fasting and praier, and againe come together that Satan tempt you not for your incontinecie.
(Defraude not one another, except it be with consent for a time, that ye/you_all may give yourselves to fasting and prayer, and again come together that Satan tempt you not for your incontinecie. )

Cvdl Withdrawe not yor selues one fro another, excepte it be with the consent of both for a tyme, that ye maye geue youre selues vnto fastinge and prayer, and the come together agayne, lest Sathan tempte you for yor incontynecye.
(Withdraw not yourselves one from another, except it be with the consent of both for a time, that ye/you_all may give yourselves unto fasting and prayer, and the come together again, lest Satan tempt you for your incontynecye.)

TNT Withdrawe not youre selves one from another excepte it be with consent for a tyme for to geve youre selves to fastynge and prayer. And afterwarde come agayne to the same thynge lest Satan tempt you for youre incontinencye.
(Withdraw not your(pl) selves one from another except it be with consent for a time for to give your(pl) selves to fasting and prayer. And afterward come again to the same thing lest Satan tempt you for your(pl) incontinencye. )

Wycl Nyle ye defraude eche to othere, but perauenture of consent to a tyme, that ye yyue tent to preier; and eft turne ye ayen to the same thing, lest Sathanas tempte you for youre vncontynence.
(Not/Don’t ye/you_all defraud each to other, but peradventure/perhaps of consent to a time, that ye/you_all give tent to prayer; and after turn ye/you_all again to the same thing, lest Satan tempt you for your(pl) uncontynence.)

Luth Entziehe sich nicht eins dem andern, es sei denn aus beider Bewilligung eine Zeitlang, daß ihr zum Fasten und Beten Muße habet; und kommet wiederum zusammen; auf daß euch der Satan nicht versuche um eurer Unkeuschheit willen.
(Entziehe itself/yourself/themselves not one to_him change/modify, it be because/than out_of both Bewilligung a/one for_a_while, that you(pl)/their/her for_the fasting(n) and Beten Muße have; and comes again/in_turn together; on/in/to that you the/of_the Satan not try around/by/for yours(pl) Unkeuschheit will.)

ClVg Nolite fraudare invicem, nisi forte ex consensu ad tempus, ut vacetis orationi: et iterum revertimini in idipsum, ne tentet vos Satanas propter incontinentiam vestram.
(Don't fraudare each_other, except perhaps from consensu to time/season, as free_timeis prayer: and again return in/into/on idipsum, not tentet you(pl) Satan because incontinence your. )

UGNT μὴ ἀποστερεῖτε ἀλλήλους, εἰ μήτι ἂν ἐκ συμφώνου πρὸς καιρὸν, ἵνα σχολάσητε τῇ προσευχῇ, καὶ πάλιν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ἦτε, ἵνα μὴ πειράζῃ ὑμᾶς ὁ Σατανᾶς, διὰ τὴν ἀκρασίαν ὑμῶν.
(maʸ apostereite allaʸlous, ei maʸti an ek sumfōnou pros kairon, hina sⱪolasaʸte taʸ proseuⱪaʸ, kai palin epi to auto aʸte, hina maʸ peirazaʸ humas ho Satanas, dia taʸn akrasian humōn.)

SBL-GNT μὴ ἀποστερεῖτε ἀλλήλους, εἰ μήτι ἂν ἐκ συμφώνου πρὸς καιρὸν ἵνα ⸀σχολάσητε ⸀τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ πάλιν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ⸀ἦτε, ἵνα μὴ πειράζῃ ὑμᾶς ὁ Σατανᾶς διὰ τὴν ἀκρασίαν ὑμῶν.
(maʸ apostereite allaʸlous, ei maʸti an ek sumfōnou pros kairon hina ⸀sⱪolasaʸte ⸀taʸ proseuⱪaʸ kai palin epi to auto ⸀aʸte, hina maʸ peirazaʸ humas ho Satanas dia taʸn akrasian humōn.)

RP-GNT Μὴ ἀποστερεῖτε ἀλλήλους, εἰ μήτι ἂν ἐκ συμφώνου πρὸς καιρόν, ἵνα σχολάζητε τῇ νηστείᾳ καὶ τῇ προσευχῇ, καὶ πάλιν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ συνέρχησθε, ἵνα μὴ πειράζῃ ὑμᾶς ὁ Σατανᾶς διὰ τὴν ἀκρασίαν ὑμῶν.
(Maʸ apostereite allaʸlous, ei maʸti an ek sumfōnou pros kairon, hina sⱪolazaʸte taʸ naʸsteia kai taʸ proseuⱪaʸ, kai palin epi to auto sunerⱪaʸsthe, hina maʸ peirazaʸ humas ho Satanas dia taʸn akrasian humōn.)

TC-GNT Μὴ ἀποστερεῖτε ἀλλήλους, εἰ μήτι ἂν ἐκ συμφώνου πρὸς καιρόν, ἵνα [fn]σχολάζητε [fn]τῇ νηστείᾳ καὶ τῇ προσευχῇ, καὶ πάλιν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ [fn]συνέρχησθε, ἵνα μὴ πειράζῃ ὑμᾶς ὁ Σατανᾶς διὰ τὴν ἀκρασίαν ὑμῶν.
(Maʸ apostereite allaʸlous, ei maʸti an ek sumfōnou pros kairon, hina sⱪolazaʸte taʸ naʸsteia kai taʸ proseuⱪaʸ, kai palin epi to auto sunerⱪaʸsthe, hina maʸ peirazaʸ humas ho Satanas dia taʸn akrasian humōn. )

7:5 σχολαζητε ¦ σχολασητε CT

7:5 τη νηστεια και 91.5% ¦ — CT 6.8%

7:5 συνερχησθε ¦ συνερχεσθε PCK ¦ ητε CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 7:1–40: Paul answered questions about marriage

In an earlier letter to Paul, the Corinthians had mentioned some problems and asked him some questions. There are no longer any copies of this letter, so we can only guess what they wrote by reading Paul’s answers. Apparently some of the questions the Corinthians had asked were about marriage and sex. In this section Paul discussed these topics. He wrote about sexual intercourse, divorce, marrying again after a person’s husband or wife dies, and never marrying.

From the way Paul talked, it appears that the Corinthians were thinking that if believers want to be holy, they should abstain from sexual relations. The Corinthians were wondering if married people should sleep together, if Christians who were married to non-Christians should divorce them, and if Christians should get married. Paul gave them some wise teaching on each of these topics. In 7:1–16 he addressed Christians who were married. In 7:17–24 he wrote about his general rule for Christians: Remain as you are. In 7:25–38 he taught Christians who were not married. In 7:39–40 he addressed women whose husbands had died.

Other possible section headings include:

Paul gave/wrote instructions about Christian marriage

Paul’s teaching on marriage

Paragraph 7:1–7

Paul began to discuss the subjects the Corinthians had written to him about. It seems that some believers were thinking that sexual intercourse was not good. Those people even said that married Christians should not have sexual intercourse with each other. Paul said that it was good for married believers to live together normally as man and wife. This would help them avoid being tempted to commit sex sins.

7:5a

Do not deprive each other,

To you married people I say: Stop refusing to fulfill your duty to one another.
So now I command you married people to stop denying your spouse his or her marriage rights.
Do not say to your spouse, “I will not sleep with you.”

Do not deprive each other: The Greek word that the BSB translates as deprive here means to keep back from someone something that belongs to him or her. It means to prevent someone from having and enjoying what rightfully belongs to him or her. In this context it refers to someone refusing to have sexual relations with his or her spouse. In some languages it may be natural to translate this as direct speech. For example:

Do not say to your spouse, “I will no longer have sex with you.”

Do not deprive: In Greek this is in the present tense. This probably indicates that when Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, some married Christians in Corinth were not having sex with their husbands or wives. So you can translate this as:

Stop depriving each other.

Stop refusing to give your spouse his marriage rights.

7:5b

except by mutual consent and for a time,

The only exception to normal relations should be when you have both agreed to stay apart from each other for a little while
However, it is all right if you decide together that you will not be intimate for a short time
You may perhaps both agree not to sleep together for a little while

except by mutual consent and for a time: Paul was allowing some exceptions to what he had just said. He accepted that sometimes husbands and wives might not have sexual relations.

by mutual consent: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as by mutual consent can also be translated as “by agreement.” It indicates that the husband and wife must both wish to stay apart from one another. They must agree to refrain from sexual relations.

for a time: The Greek phrase that the BSB translates as for a time means “for a short time” or “for a little while.” The husband and wife should not stay apart for very long.

7:5c

so you may devote yourselves to prayer.

so that you will be able to use your time for praying.
so that you can spend your time praying.
so you will have more/extra time to pray.

so you may devote yourselves to prayer: This is a purpose clause. It indicates the purpose for which a husband and wife might refrain from sexual relations for a while. Among the Jewish people in the OT and among the Christians in the NT, it was a custom to pray and fast for several days at a time. During these times it was common for husbands and wives to refrain from sexual relations. (See for example Exodus 19:15.)The KJV translates 7:5c this way: “that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer.” Many Greek copies of 1 Corinthians have the words “fasting and prayer” in 7:5c, instead of just the word “prayer.” But the UBS Greek text does not include the words “fasting and,” because these words are not in the oldest Greek copies of 1 Corinthians. It gives the shorter version an A rating, indicating that the words “fasting and” were almost certainly not in the original text of 1 Corinthians. Almost all English versions follow the UBS Greek text. It is recommended that you do not include the words “fasting and.” Other ways to translate this include:

in order to spend your time in prayer (GNT)

to leave yourselves free for prayer (NJB)

devote yourselves: The Greek word that the BSB translates as devote yourselves means to focus on something strongly. Here Paul is saying that it is permissible for a husband and wife to abstain from sexual relations for a while in order to focus more strongly on prayer.

7:5d

Then come together again,

But after that, you should have normal relations with each other again
But after that you must begin to live together again as husbands and wives should

Then: The Greek word that the BSB translates as Then is the common conjunction often translated as “and.” The RSV and GNT translate it here as “but then.”

come together again: The Greek clause that the BSB translates as come together again is a euphemism meaning “begin again to have sexual intercourse.” Other ways to translate this include:

resume normal marital relations (GNT)

you should get back together (GW)

start sleeping together again

Consider if a euphemism would be appropriate in this context in your culture.

7:5e

so that Satan will not tempt you

so that Satan will not tempt you to behave immorally.
in order to avoid Satan’s temptations to sin/immorality,

so that Satan will not tempt you: These words connect to the command in 7:5a, “Do not deprive each other.” This is a negative purpose clause. Paul gave his command not to “deprive each other” so that believers would not be tempted by Satan. He knew that when married people do not have sexual intercourse, they give Satan a chance to tempt them.

Satan: Satan is a name for the devil, the chief of the evil angels. See the note on 5:5a.

tempt you: If you need to say what the Corinthians might be tempted to do, you could say:

tempt you to sin

tempt you to commit adultery

7:5f

through your lack of self-control.

For it is hard for you keep control of yourselves.
since you may not be able to control your own desires/passions.

through your lack of self-control: The Greek word that the BSB translates as lack of self-control means that a person is not able to control himself. In some languages it may be necessary to make this more specific and say:

because you are not able to control your strong sexual desire

General Comment on 7:5e-f

In some languages it may be natural to reverse the order of 7:5e and 5f. For example:

If you fail to have sex with your spouse, ^5fyou may have strong desires that you cannot control ^5eand then Satan will easily tempt you to commit sex sins.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / euphemism

μὴ ἀποστερεῖτε ἀλλήλους

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Μή ἀποστερεῖτε ἀλλήλους εἰ μήτι ἄν ἐκ συμφώνου πρός καιρόν ἵνα σχολάσητε τῇ προσευχῇ καί πάλιν ἐπί τό αὐτό ἦτε ἵνα μή πειράζῃ ὑμᾶς ὁ Σατανᾶς διά τήν ἀκρασίαν ὑμῶν)

Here Paul omits a direct reference to having sex in order to be polite. The Corinthians would have understood him to mean that they should not deprive each other of having sex. If your readers also would understand this, you could express the idea the same way Paul did. If your readers would not understand this, you may need to include a word or phrase that politely refers to having sex. Alternate translation: [Do not deprive each other of sleeping together]

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-exceptions

μὴ ἀποστερεῖτε ἀλλήλους, εἰ μήτι ἂν ἐκ συμφώνου

If it would appear in your language that Paul was making a statement here and then contradicting it, you could reword this to avoid using an exception clause. Alternate translation: [You should deprive each other only in one situation: by mutual agreement]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐκ συμφώνου

by harmonious

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind agreement, you can express the idea by using a verb such as “agree.” Alternate translation: [when you both agree]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

πρὸς καιρὸν

Here, for a season identifies a short, undefined period of time. The word season does not refer to winter or summer. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express for a season with a word or phrase that refers vaguely to a short time. Alternate translation: [for a short period of time] or [for a brief time]

Note 5 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal

ἵνα

in_order_that

Here, so that introduces the purpose for which the Corinthians can deprive each other. In other words, it gives the purpose for the except statement. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express what so that refers back to by clarifying that it explains why the Corinthians can deprive each other. If you use the following alternate translation, you may need to add a period before it. Alternate translation: [You may deprive each only so that]

Note 6 topic: translate-unknown

σχολάσητε τῇ προσευχῇ

˱you_all˲_˓may˒_have_leisure ¬the ˱for˲_prayer

Here, devote yourselves refers to making time to focus on something specific. Paul argues that the only time to avoid having sex with one’s spouse is so that both spouses have extra time to focus on praying to God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express devote yourselves with a comparable expression. Alternate translation: [you may make more time for prayer] or [you may spend more time in prayer]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

τῇ προσευχῇ

¬the ˱for˲_prayer

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind prayer, you can express the idea by using a verb such as “praying.” Alternate translation: [to praying]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / euphemism

πάλιν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ ἦτε

again (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Μή ἀποστερεῖτε ἀλλήλους εἰ μήτι ἄν ἐκ συμφώνου πρός καιρόν ἵνα σχολάσητε τῇ προσευχῇ καί πάλιν ἐπί τό αὐτό ἦτε ἵνα μή πειράζῃ ὑμᾶς ὁ Σατανᾶς διά τήν ἀκρασίαν ὑμῶν)

Here, be together again is a polite way to refer to resuming sexual relations. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express be together again with a comparable phrase that politely refers to having sex. Alternate translation: [sleep together again]

Note 9 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal

(Occurrence 2) ἵνα

in_order_that

Here, so that could introduce the purpose for which: (1) the Corinthians need quickly to be together again. It is because Satan will tempt them unless they are together. If you use the following alternate translation, you may need to add a period before it. Alternate translation: [Be together again soon so that] (2) the Corinthians should not deprive each other. If you use the following alternate translation, you may need to add a period before it. Alternate translation: [The point of not depriving each other is so that]

Note 10 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

διὰ

Here, because could introduce the reason why: (1) Satan may tempt them. If you use the following alternate translation, you may need to add a comma before it. Alternate translation: [which he would do because of] (2) they should soon be together again. If you use the following alternate translation, you may need to add a period before it. Alternate translation: [You should do this because of]

Note 11 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

διὰ τὴν ἀκρασίαν ὑμῶν

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind self-control, you can express the idea by using a verbal phrase such as “cannot restrain.” Alternate translation: [because you cannot restrain yourselves]

Parallel 1 COR 7:5