1 Corinthians · American Standard Version (1901)
1 Corinthians 7 American Standard Version (1901)
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
1 Περὶ δὲ ὧν ἐγράψατέ μοι, καλὸν ἀνθρώπῳ γυναικὸς μὴ ἅπτεσθαι·
2 But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
2 διὰ δὲ τὰς πορνείας ἕκαστος τὴν ἑαυτοῦ γυναῖκα ἐχέτω, καὶ ἑκάστη τὸν ἴδιον ἄνδρα ἐχέτω.
3 Let the husband render unto the wife her due: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
3 τῇ γυναικὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ τὴν ὀφειλομένην εὔνοιαν ἀποδιδότω, ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ ἡ γυνὴ τῷ ἀνδρί.
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.
4 ἡ γυνὴ τοῦ ἰδίου σώματος οὐκ ἐξουσιάζει, ἀλλ᾽ ὁ ἀνήρ· ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ τοῦ ἰδίου σώματος οὐκ ἐξουσιάζει, ἀλλ᾽ ἡ γυνή.
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.
5 μὴ ἀποστερεῖτε ἀλλήλους, εἰ μή τι 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.
6 But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment.
6 τοῦτο δὲ λέγω κατὰ συγγνώμην, οὐ κατ᾽ ἐπιταγήν.
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.
7 θέλω γὰρ πάντας ἀνθρώπους εἶναι ὡς καὶ ἐμαυτόν· ἀλλ᾽ ἕκαστος ἴδιον χάρισμα ἔχει ἐκ Θεοῦ, ὃς μὲν οὕτως, ὃς δὲ οὕτως.
8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
8 Λέγω δὲ τοῖς ἀγάμοις καὶ ταῖς χήραις, καλὸν αὐτοῖς ἐστιν ἐὰν μείνωσιν ὡς κἀγώ.
9 But if they have not continency, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
9 εἰ δὲ οὐκ ἐγκρατεύονται, γαμησάτωσαν· κρεῖσσον γάρ ἐστι γαμῆσαι ἢ πυροῦσθαι.
10 But unto the married I give charge, [yea] not I, but the Lord, That the wife depart not from her husband
10 τοῖς δὲ γεγαμηκόσι παραγγέλλω, οὐκ ἐγώ, ἀλλ᾽ ὁ Κύριος, γυναῖκα ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς μὴ χωρισθῆναι·
11 (but should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband); and that the husband leave not his wife.
11 ἐὰν δὲ καὶ χωρισθῇ, μενέτω ἄγαμος ἢ τῷ ἀνδρὶ καταλλαγήτω· καὶ ἄνδρα γυναῖκα μὴ ἀφιέναι.
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.
12 τοῖς δὲ λοιποῖς ἐγὼ λέγω, οὐχ ὁ Κύριος· εἴ τις ἀδελφὸς γυναῖκα ἔχει ἄπιστον, καὶ αὐτὴ συνευδοκεῖ οἰκεῖν μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, μὴ ἀφιέτω αὐτήν·
13 And the woman that hath an unbelieving husband, and he is content to dwell with her, let her not leave her husband.
13 καὶ γυνὴ εἴ τις ἔχει ἄνδρα ἄπιστον, καὶ αὐτὸς συνευδοκεῖ οἰκεῖν μετ᾽ αὐτῆς, μὴ ἀφιέτω αὐτόν.
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.
14 ἡγίασται γὰρ ὁ ἀνὴρ ὁ ἄπιστος ἐν τῇ γυναικί, καὶ ἡγίασται ἡ γυνὴ ἡ ἄπιστος ἐν τῷ ἀνδρί· ἐπεὶ ἄρα τὰ τέκνα ὑμῶν ἀκάθαρτά ἐστι, νῦν δὲ ἅγιά ἐστιν.
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.
15 εἰ δὲ ὁ ἄπιστος χωρίζεται, χωριζέσθω. οὐ δεδούλωται ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἢ ἡ ἀδελφὴ ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις. ἐν δὲ εἰρήνῃ κέκληκεν ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεός.
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?
16 τί γὰρ οἶδας, γύναι, εἰ τὸν ἄνδρα σώσεις; ἢ τί οἶδας, ἄνερ, εἰ τὴν γυναῖκα σώσεις;
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.
17 εἰ μὴ ἑκάστῳ ὡς ἐμέρισεν ὁ Θεός, ἕκαστον ὡς κέκληκεν ὁ Κύριος, οὕτω περιπατείτω. καὶ οὕτως ἐν ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις πάσαις διατάσσομαι.
18 Was any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Hath any been called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
18 περιτετμημένος τις ἐκλήθη; μὴ ἐπισπάσθω. ἐν ἀκροβυστίᾳ τις ἐκλήθη; μὴ περιτεμνέσθω.
19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God.
19 ἡ περιτομὴ οὐδέν ἐστι, καὶ ἡ ἀκροβυστία οὐδέν ἐστιν, ἀλλὰ τήρησις ἐντολῶν Θεοῦ.
20 Let each man abide in that calling wherein he was called.
20 ἕκαστος ἐν τῇ κλήσει ᾗ ἐκλήθη, ἐν ταύτῃ μενέτω.
21 Wast thou called being a bondservant? care not for it: nay, even if thou canst become free, use [it] rather.
21 δοῦλος ἐκλήθης; μή σοι μελέτω· ἀλλ᾽ εἰ καὶ δύνασαι ἐλεύθερος γενέσθαι, μᾶλλον χρῆσαι.
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.
22 ὁ γὰρ ἐν Κυρίῳ κληθεὶς δοῦλος ἀπελεύθερος Κυρίου ἐστίν· ὁμοίως καὶ ὁ ἐλεύθερος κληθεὶς δοῦλός ἐστι Χριστοῦ.
23 Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men.
23 τιμῆς ἠγοράσθητε· μὴ γίνεσθε δοῦλοι ἀνθρώπων.
24 Brethren, let each man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God.
24 ἕκαστος ἐν ᾧ ἐκλήθη, ἀδελφοί, ἐν τούτῳ μενέτω παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ.
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.
25 Περὶ δὲ τῶν παρθένων ἐπιταγὴν Κυρίου οὐκ ἔχω, γνώμην δὲ δίδωμι ὡς ἠλεημένος ὑπὸ Κυρίου πιστὸς εἶναι.
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.
26 νομίζω οὖν τοῦτο καλὸν ὑπάρχειν διὰ τὴν ἐνεστῶσαν ἀνάγκην, ὅτι καλὸν ἀνθρώπῳ τὸ οὕτως εἶναι.
27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
27 δέδεσαι γυναικί; μὴ ζήτει λύσιν· λέλυσαι ἀπὸ γυναικός; μὴ ζήτει γυναῖκα·
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.
28 ἐὰν δὲ καὶ γήμῃς, οὐχ ἥμαρτες· καὶ ἐὰν γήμῃ ἡ παρθένος, οὐχ ἥμαρτε· θλῖψιν δὲ τῇ σαρκὶ ἕξουσιν οἱ τοιοῦτοι· ἐγὼ δὲ ὑμῶν φείδομαι.
29 But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none;
29 τοῦτο δέ φημι, ἀδελφοί, ὁ καιρὸς συνεσταλμένος τὸ λοιπόν ἐστιν, ἵνα καὶ οἱ ἔχοντες γυναῖκας ὡς μὴ ἔχοντες ὦσι,
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;
30 καὶ οἱ κλαίοντες ὡς μὴ κλαίοντες, καὶ οἱ χαίροντες ὡς μὴ χαίροντες, καὶ οἱ ἀγοράζοντες ὡς μὴ κατέχοντες,
31 and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
31 καὶ οἱ χρώμενοι τῷ κόσμῳ τούτῳ ὡς μὴ καταχρώμενοι· παράγει γὰρ τὸ σχῆμα τοῦ κόσμου τούτου.
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:
32 θέλω δὲ ὑμᾶς ἀμερίμνους εἶναι. ὁ ἄγαμος μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ Κυρίου, πῶς ἀρέσει τῷ Κυρίῳ·
33 but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife,
33 ὁ δὲ γαμήσας μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ κόσμου, πῶς ἀρέσει τῇ γυναικί.
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.
34 μεμέρισται [καὶ] ἡ γυνὴ καὶ ἡ παρθένος. ἡ ἄγαμος μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ Κυρίου, ἵνα ᾖ ἁγία καὶ σώματι καὶ πνεύματι· ἡ δὲ γαμήσασα μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ κόσμου, πῶς ἀρέσει τῷ ἀνδρί.
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.
35 τοῦτο δὲ πρὸς τὸ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν συμφέρον λέγω, οὐχ ἵνα βρόχον ὑμῖν ἐπιβάλω, ἀλλὰ πρὸς τὸ εὔσχημον καὶ εὐπάρεδρον τῷ Κυρίῳ ἀπερισπάστως.
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.
36 Εἰ δέ τις ἀσχημονεῖν ἐπὶ τὴν παρθένον αὐτοῦ νομίζει, ἐὰν ᾖ ὑπέρακμος, καὶ οὕτως ὀφείλει γίνεσθαι, ὃ θέλει ποιείτω· οὐχ ἁμαρτάνει· γαμείτωσαν.
37 But he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power as touching his own will, and hath determined this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin [daughter], shall do well.
37 ὃς δὲ ἕστηκεν ἑδραῖος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ, μὴ ἔχων ἀνάγκην, ἐξουσίαν δὲ ἔχει περὶ τοῦ ἰδίου θελήματος, καὶ τοῦτο κέκρικεν ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ, τοῦ τηρεῖν τὴν ἑαυτοῦ παρθένον, καλῶς ποιεῖ.
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.
38 ὥστε καὶ ὁ ἐκγαμίζων καλῶς ποιεῖ, ὁ δὲ μὴ ἐκγαμίζων κρεῖσσον ποιεῖ.
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.
39 Γυνὴ δέδεται νόμῳ ἐφ᾽ ὅσον χρόνον ζῇ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς· ἐὰν δὲ κοιμηθῇ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς, ἐλευθέρα ἐστὶν ᾧ θέλει γαμηθῆναι, μόνον ἐν Κυρίῳ.
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.
40 μακαριωτέρα δέ ἐστιν ἐὰν οὕτω μείνῃ, κατὰ τὴν ἐμὴν γνώμην· δοκῶ δὲ κἀγὼ Πνεῦμα Θεοῦ ἔχειν.
Cross references (38)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 1 Corinthians 7:8; Matthew 19:10–11; 1 Corinthians 7:26–27; 1 Corinthians 7:37–38; Genesis 20:6
- 2 Ephesians 5:28; Ephesians 5:33; 1 Corinthians 7:9; Proverbs 18:22; Proverbs 5:18–19
- 3 1 Peter 3:7; Exodus 21:10
- 4 Matthew 19:9; Hosea 3:3; Mark 10:11–12
- 5 Exodus 19:15; Joel 2:16; Zechariah 12:12–14; 1 Samuel 21:4–5; Matthew 19:11
- 6 2 Corinthians 8:8; 1 Corinthians 7:25; 1 Corinthians 7:12; 2 Corinthians 11:17
- 7 Matthew 19:11–12; 1 Corinthians 7:8; Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 9:5; 1 Corinthians 12:4
- 8 1 Corinthians 7:32; 1 Corinthians 7:34–35; 1 Corinthians 7:7; 1 Corinthians 7:26–27; 1 Corinthians 7:1
- 9 1 Corinthians 7:2; 1 Timothy 5:14; 1 Timothy 5:11; 1 Corinthians 7:28; 1 Corinthians 7:36
- 10 Matthew 5:32; Luke 16:18; Malachi 2:14–16; Matthew 19:3–9; Mark 10:11–12
- 11 Jeremiah 3:1; 1 Corinthians 7:10; Deuteronomy 22:19; Isaiah 50:1; Judges 19:2–3
- 12 1 Corinthians 7:6; 2 Corinthians 11:17; 1 Corinthians 7:25; Ezra 10:2–3; Ezra 10:11–19
- 14 Malachi 2:15–16; 1 Timothy 4:5; Isaiah 52:1; Titus 1:15; Romans 11:16
- 15 Romans 14:19; James 3:17–18; 2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Matthew 12:50
- 16 1 Peter 3:1–2; Romans 11:14; 1 Corinthians 9:22; James 5:19–20; Luke 15:10
- 17 1 Corinthians 4:17; 1 Corinthians 7:24; Romans 12:3–8; 1 Corinthians 7:20–21; 2 Corinthians 11:28
- 18 Acts 15:5; Acts 15:19; Galatians 5:1–3; Colossians 3:11; Acts 15:28
- 19 Galatians 5:6; Galatians 6:15; 1 John 2:3–4; Romans 2:25–29; 1 John 3:22–24
- 20 1 Corinthians 7:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; Proverbs 27:8; 2 Thessalonians 3:12; 1 Corinthians 7:21–24
- 21 1 Peter 2:18–24; Colossians 3:11; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Luke 12:29; Luke 10:40–41
- 22 1 Peter 2:16; Philemon 16; Colossians 3:22–24; Galatians 5:13; Romans 6:18–22
- 23 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 1:18–19; Titus 2:14; Leviticus 25:42; Revelation 5:9
- 24 1 Corinthians 7:20; Colossians 3:23–24; 1 Corinthians 7:17; Genesis 17:1; 1 Corinthians 10:31
- 25 1 Corinthians 7:6; 1 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Corinthians 7:40; 2 Corinthians 8:8–10; 1 Corinthians 7:12
- 26 1 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Corinthians 7:8; Luke 23:28–29; 1 Peter 4:17; 1 Corinthians 7:28
- 27 1 Corinthians 7:12–14; 1 Corinthians 7:20
- 28 Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:32–36; 1 Corinthians 7:26; 2 Corinthians 1:23
- 29 1 John 2:17; Romans 13:11–12; 1 Corinthians 7:31; James 4:13–16; Hebrews 13:13–14
- 30 Ecclesiastes 3:4; John 16:22; Luke 6:21; Psalm 126:5–6; Revelation 7:17
- 31 1 John 2:17; 1 Peter 4:7; Luke 21:34; James 4:14; 1 Peter 1:24
- 32 Matthew 6:25–34; 1 Timothy 5:5; Philippians 4:6; Psalm 55:22; Matthew 13:22
- 33 1 Peter 3:7; Colossians 3:19; 1 Timothy 5:8; Ephesians 5:25–33; Luke 12:22
- 34 Luke 10:40–42; 1 Corinthians 6:20; Luke 2:36–37; Romans 12:1–2; Philippians 1:20
- 35 1 Corinthians 7:33–34; 1 Corinthians 7:36; Luke 8:14; Philippians 4:8; 1 Corinthians 7:2
- 36 1 Corinthians 7:9; 1 Corinthians 7:37
- 38 Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 7:1–2; 1 Corinthians 7:37; 1 Corinthians 7:32–34; 1 Corinthians 7:8
- 39 Romans 7:2–3; 2 Corinthians 6:14–16; 1 Corinthians 7:10; 1 Corinthians 7:15; Malachi 2:11
- 40 1 Corinthians 7:8; 1 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Corinthians 7:25–26; 1 Corinthians 7:6; 2 Corinthians 12:11
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
Having corrected the three heaviest things laid to their charge, one, the distraction of the Church, another, about the fornicator, a third, about the covetous person, he thenceforth uses a milder sort of speech. And he interposes some exhortation and advice about marriage and virginity, giving the hearers some respite from more unpleasant subjects.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 12 (1889)
And they are also unacquainted with [the meaning of] the passing away of the heaven and earth; but Paul was not ignorant of it when he declared, "For the figure of this world passeth away." In the next place, David explains their question, for he says that when the fashion of this world passes away, not only shall God remain, …
For Thy omnipotency is not far from us even when we are far from Thee, else in truth ought I more vigilantly to have given heed to the voice from the clouds: "Nevertheless, such shall have trouble in the flesh, but I spare you;" and, "It is good for a man not to touch a woman;" and, "He that is …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)
… to the monks also, except marriage; yea rather, even with respect to this, Paul commands us to put ourselves altogether on a level with them; saying, "For the fashion of this world passeth away:" that "they that have wives be as though they had none." "Wherefore" (so he speaks) "I do not bid you take possession of the summits of …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
… should testify of himself "the Spirit of God is in me, and I offer glory after being made wise through the grace that flows from Him." For to a Paul it is becoming to say "I think also that I have the Spirit of God," and again, "that good thing which was committed to thee keep by the Holy Ghost …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 8 (1895)