Passage

1 Corinthians 7

Book: 1 Corinthians · NASB95

Immediate context (±2 verses)

ASV (ASV)

"1. Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2. But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3. Let the husband render unto the wife her due: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4. The wife hath not power over her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power over his own body, but the wife. 5. 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. 6. But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment. 7. Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that. 8. But I say to the unmarried and to widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. 9. But if they have not continency, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. 10. But unto the married I give charge, yea not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not from her husband 11. (but should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband); and that the husband leave not his wife. 12. But to the rest say I, not the Lord: If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her. 13. And the woman that hath an unbelieving husband, and he is content to dwell 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 brother: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 15. Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us in peace. 16. For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife? 17. Only, as the Lord hath distributed to each man, as God hath called each, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches. 18. Was any man called being circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any 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 abide in that calling wherein he was called. 21. Wast thou called being a bondservant? Care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use it rather. 22. For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord's freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ's bondservant. 23. Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men. 24. Brethren, let each man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God. 25. Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be trustworthy. 26. I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is upon us, namely, that it is good for a man to be as he is. 27. Art thou bound unto a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife. 28. But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you. 29. But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none; 30. and those that weep, as though they wept not; and those that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and those that buy, as though they possessed not; 31. and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passeth away. 32. But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33. but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34. and is divided. So also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35. And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. 36. But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin daughter, if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requireth, let him do what he will; he sinneth not; let them marry. 37. But he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power as touching in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, shall do well. 38. So then both he that giveth his own virgin daughter in marriage doeth well; and he that giveth her not in marriage shall do better. 39. A wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. 40. But she is happier if she abide as she is, after my judgment: and I think that I also have the Spirit of God." (1 Corinthians 7:1-40, ASV)

WEB (WEB)

"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 give his wife the affection owed her, and likewise also the wife 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. 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. 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. 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? 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 Christ’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. 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. 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 urgency, but has power over his own will, and has determined in 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. 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." (1 Corinthians 7:1-40, WEB)

KJV (KJV)

"1. Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. 3. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4. 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. 5. 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. 6. But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. 7. 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. 8. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. 9. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. 10. And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 11. But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife. 12. 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. 13. And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 14. 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. 15. 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. ^{to peace: Gr. in peace} 16. For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? ^{how: Gr. what} 17. 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. 18. Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any 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 every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 21. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22. 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. ^{freeman: Gr. made free} 23. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 24. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. 25. 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. 26. I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. ^{distress: or, necessity} 27. Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 28. 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. 29. But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 30. 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; 31. And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. 32. 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: ^{that belong: Gr. of the Lord} 33. But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. 34. 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. 35. 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. 36. 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. 37. 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. 38. So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better. 39. 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. 40. But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God." (1 Corinthians 7:1-40, KJV)

YLT (YLT)

"1. And concerning the things of which ye wrote to me: good [it is] for a man not to touch a woman, 2. and because of the whoredom let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her proper husband; 3. to the wife let the husband the due benevolence render, and in like manner also the wife to the husband; 4. the wife over her own body hath not authority, but the husband; and, in like manner also, the husband over his own body hath not authority, but the wife. 5. 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; 6. and this I say by way of concurrence, not of command, 7. for I wish all men to be even as I myself [am]; but each his own gift hath of God, one indeed thus, and one thus. 8. And I say to the unmarried and to the widows: it is good for them if they may remain even as I [am]; 9. and if they have not continence, let them marry, for it is better to marry than to burn; 10. and to the married I announce, not I, but the Lord, let not a wife separate from a husband: 11. but and if she may separate, let her remain unmarried, or to the husband let her be reconciled, and let not a husband send away a wife. 12. And to the rest I speak, not the Lord, if any brother hath a wife unbelieving, and she is pleased to dwell with him, let him not send her away; 13. and a woman who hath a husband unbelieving, and he is pleased to dwell with her, let her not send him away; 14. for the unbelieving husband hath been sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife hath been sanctified in the husband; otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. 15. And, if the unbelieving doth separate himself, let him separate himself: the brother or the sister is not under servitude in such [cases], and in peace hath God called us; 16. for what, hast thou known, O wife, whether the husband thou shalt save? or what, hast thou known, O husband, whether the wife thou shalt save? 17. if not, as God did distribute to each, as the Lord hath called each, so let him walk; and thus in all the assemblies do I direct: 18. being circumcised, was any one called? let him not become uncircumcised; in uncircumcision was any one called? let him not be circumcised; 19. the circumcision is nothing, and the uncircumcision is nothing, but a keeping of the commands of God. 20. Each in the calling in which he was called, in this let him remain; 21. a servant, wast thou called? be not anxious; but if also thou art able to become free, use [it] rather; 22. for he who [is] in the Lord, having been called a servant, is the Lord's freedman: in like manner also he the freeman, having been called, is servant of Christ: 23. with a price ye were bought, become not servants of men; 24. each, in that in which he was called, brethren, in this let him remain with God. 25. And concerning the virgins, a command of the Lord I have not; and I give judgment as having obtained kindness from the Lord to be faithful: 26. I suppose, therefore, this to be good because of the present necessity, that [it is] good for a man that the matter be thus:, 27. Hast thou been bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed; hast thou been loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 28. But and if thou mayest marry, thou didst not sin; and if the virgin may marry, she did not sin; and such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I spare you. 29. And this I say, brethren, the time henceforth is having been shortened, that both those having wives may be as not having; 30. and those weeping, as not weeping; and those rejoicing, as not rejoicing; and those buying, as not possessing; 31. and those using this world, as not using [it] up; for passing away is the fashion of this world. 32. And I wish you to be without anxiety; the unmarried is anxious for the things of the Lord, how he shall please the Lord; 33. and the married is anxious for the things of the world, how he shall please the wife. 34. The wife and the virgin have been distinguished: the unmarried is anxious for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit, and the married is anxious for the things of the world, how she shall please the husband. 35. And this for your own profit I say: not that I may cast a noose upon you, but for the seemliness and devotedness to the Lord, undistractedly, 36. and if any one doth think [it] to be unseemly to his virgin, if she may be beyond the bloom of age, and it ought so to be, what he willeth let him do; he doth not sin, let him marry. 37. And he who hath stood stedfast in the heart, not having necessity, and hath authority over his own will, and this he hath determined in his heart, to keep his own virgin, doth well; 38. so that both he who is giving in marriage doth well, and he who is not giving in marriage doth better. 39. A wife hath been bound by law as long time as her husband may live, and if her husband may sleep, she is free to be married to whom she will, only in the Lord; 40. and she is happier if she may so remain, according to my judgment; and I think I also have the Spirit of God." (1 Corinthians 7:1-40, YLT)

Setting

Speaker: TBD
Audience: TBD
Location: TBD
Time period: TBD

Theological reading

Patristic / early-church-father exegesis, to be added.

Key words

Theologically-loaded Greek or Hebrew words in this verse may have entries in the lexicon. Curated to roughly 100 contested terms across the corpus, not every word; see Lexicon Roadmap.

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Quoted in

Why these four translations

ris3n chose ASV, WEB, KJV, and YLT for two reasons together. They are the most literal English translations available (formal-equivalence: word-for-word renderings that preserve the Hebrew and Greek grammar rather than smoothing it into modern dynamic-equivalence idiom). And they are in the public domain in the United States, which means fair-use quotation at any length requires no publisher license. Modern licensed translations (NASB95, ESV, NIV) restrict volume of quotation under their copyright terms, so they are not used at stub-level coverage here. NASB95 appears only on hand-curated rich passage hubs under Lockman Foundation's fair-use allowance.

The four:

ASV (American Standard Version, 1901). The basis of the modern critical-text English tradition.
WEB (World English Bible, contemporary). Public-domain revision in the ASV line, in current English.
KJV (King James Version, 1611). Reformation-era, Textus Receptus base.
YLT (Young's Literal Translation, Robert Young, 1862). Hyper-literal preservation of Hebrew and Greek grammar; useful for word-study work even where English reads stiff.

See Bibles for the full per-translation history, translators, textual basis, strengths, and weaknesses.