1 Corinthians · Darby Translation
1 Corinthians 7 Darby Translation
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 But concerning the things of which ye have written [to me]: [It is] good for a man not to touch a woman;
1 Περὶ δὲ ὧν ἐγράψατέ μοι, καλὸν ἀνθρώπῳ γυναικὸς μὴ ἅπτεσθαι·
2 but on account of fornications, let each have his own wife, and 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 her due to the wife, and in like manner the wife to the husband.
3 τῇ γυναικὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ τὴν ὀφειλομένην εὔνοιαν ἀποδιδότω, ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ ἡ γυνὴ τῷ ἀνδρί.
4 The wife has not authority over her own body, but the husband: in like manner also the husband has not authority 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 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.
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, as consenting [to], not as commanding [it].
6 τοῦτο δὲ λέγω κατὰ συγγνώμην, οὐ κατ᾽ ἐπιταγήν.
7 Now I wish all men to be even as myself: but every one has his own gift of God: one man thus, and another thus.
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 the widows, It is good for them that they remain even as I.
8 Λέγω δὲ τοῖς ἀγάμοις καὶ ταῖς χήραις, καλὸν αὐτοῖς ἐστιν ἐὰν μείνωσιν ὡς κἀγώ.
9 But if they have not control over themselves, 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 to the married I enjoin, not I, but the Lord, Let not wife be separated from husband;
10 τοῖς δὲ γεγαμηκόσι παραγγέλλω, οὐκ ἐγώ, ἀλλ᾽ ὁ Κύριος, γυναῖκα ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς μὴ χωρισθῆναι·
11 (but if also she shall have been separated, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband;) and let not husband leave wife.
11 ἐὰν δὲ καὶ χωρισθῇ, μενέτω ἄγαμος ἢ τῷ ἀνδρὶ καταλλαγήτω· καὶ ἄνδρα γυναῖκα μὴ ἀφιέναι.
12 But as to the rest, I say, not the Lord, If any brother have an unbelieving wife, and she consent 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 a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents 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; since [otherwise] indeed your children are unclean, but now they are 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 But if the unbeliever go away, let them go away; a brother or a sister is not bound in such [cases], but God has 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 what knowest thou, O wife, if thou shalt save thy husband? or what knowest thou, O husband, if thou shalt save thy wife?
16 τί γὰρ οἶδας, γύναι, εἰ τὸν ἄνδρα σώσεις; ἢ τί οἶδας, ἄνερ, εἰ τὴν γυναῖκα σώσεις;
17 However, as the Lord has divided to each, as God has called each, so let him walk; and thus I ordain in all the assemblies.
17 εἰ μὴ ἑκάστῳ ὡς ἐμέρισεν ὁ Θεός, ἕκαστον ὡς κέκληκεν ὁ Κύριος, οὕτω περιπατείτω. καὶ οὕτως ἐν ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις πάσαις διατάσσομαι.
18 Has any one been called circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised: has any one 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 keeping God's commandments.
19 ἡ περιτομὴ οὐδέν ἐστι, καὶ ἡ ἀκροβυστία οὐδέν ἐστιν, ἀλλὰ τήρησις ἐντολῶν Θεοῦ.
20 Let each abide in that calling in which he has been called.
20 ἕκαστος ἐν τῇ κλήσει ᾗ ἐκλήθη, ἐν ταύτῃ μενέτω.
21 Hast thou been called [being] a bondman, let it not concern thee; but and if thou canst become free, use [it] rather.
21 δοῦλος ἐκλήθης; μή σοι μελέτω· ἀλλ᾽ εἰ καὶ δύνασαι ἐλεύθερος γενέσθαι, μᾶλλον χρῆσαι.
22 For the bondman that is called in [the] Lord is the Lord's freedman; in like manner [also] the freeman being called is Christ's bondman.
22 ὁ γὰρ ἐν Κυρίῳ κληθεὶς δοῦλος ἀπελεύθερος Κυρίου ἐστίν· ὁμοίως καὶ ὁ ἐλεύθερος κληθεὶς δοῦλός ἐστι Χριστοῦ.
23 Ye have been bought with a price; do not be the bondmen of men.
23 τιμῆς ἠγοράσθητε· μὴ γίνεσθε δοῦλοι ἀνθρώπων.
24 Let each, wherein he is called, brethren, therein abide with God.
24 ἕκαστος ἐν ᾧ ἐκλήθη, ἀδελφοί, ἐν τούτῳ μενέτω παρὰ τῷ Θεῷ.
25 But concerning virgins, I have no commandment of [the] Lord; but I give my opinion, as having received mercy of [the] Lord to be faithful.
25 Περὶ δὲ τῶν παρθένων ἐπιταγὴν Κυρίου οὐκ ἔχω, γνώμην δὲ δίδωμι ὡς ἠλεημένος ὑπὸ Κυρίου πιστὸς εἶναι.
26 I think then that this is good, on account of the present necessity, that [it is] good for a man to remain so as he is.
26 νομίζω οὖν τοῦτο καλὸν ὑπάρχειν διὰ τὴν ἐνεστῶσαν ἀνάγκην, ὅτι καλὸν ἀνθρώπῳ τὸ οὕτως εἶναι.
27 Art thou bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed; art thou free from a wife? do not seek a wife.
27 δέδεσαι γυναικί; μὴ ζήτει λύσιν· λέλυσαι ἀπὸ γυναικός; μὴ ζήτει γυναῖκα·
28 But if thou shouldest also marry, thou hast not sinned; and if the virgin marry, they have not sinned: but such shall have tribulation in the flesh; but I 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 straitened. For the rest, that they who have wives, be as not having [any]:
29 τοῦτο δέ φημι, ἀδελφοί, ὁ καιρὸς συνεσταλμένος τὸ λοιπόν ἐστιν, ἵνα καὶ οἱ ἔχοντες γυναῖκας ὡς μὴ ἔχοντες ὦσι,
30 and they that weep, as not weeping; and they that rejoice, as not rejoicing; and they that buy, as not possessing;
30 καὶ οἱ κλαίοντες ὡς μὴ κλαίοντες, καὶ οἱ χαίροντες ὡς μὴ χαίροντες, καὶ οἱ ἀγοράζοντες ὡς μὴ κατέχοντες,
31 and they that use the world, as not disposing of it as their own; for the fashion of this world passes.
31 καὶ οἱ χρώμενοι τῷ κόσμῳ τούτῳ ὡς μὴ καταχρώμενοι· παράγει γὰρ τὸ σχῆμα τοῦ κόσμου τούτου.
32 But I wish you to be without care. The unmarried cares for the things of the Lord, how he shall please the Lord;
32 θέλω δὲ ὑμᾶς ἀμερίμνους εἶναι. ὁ ἄγαμος μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ Κυρίου, πῶς ἀρέσει τῷ Κυρίῳ·
33 but he that has married cares for the things of the world, how he shall please his wife.
33 ὁ δὲ γαμήσας μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ κόσμου, πῶς ἀρέσει τῇ γυναικί.
34 There is a difference between the wife and the virgin. The unmarried cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but she that has married cares for the things of the world, how she shall 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 But I say this for your own profit; not that I may set a snare before you, but for what [is] seemly, and waiting on 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 one think that he behaves unseemly to his virginity, if he be beyond the flower of his age, and so it must be, let him do what he will, he does not sin: 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 who stands firm in his heart, having no need, but has authority over his own will, and has judged this in his heart to keep his own virginity, he does 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 that he that marries himself does well; and he that does not marry does better.
38 ὥστε καὶ ὁ ἐκγαμίζων καλῶς ποιεῖ, ὁ δὲ μὴ ἐκγαμίζων κρεῖσσον ποιεῖ.
39 A wife is bound for whatever time her husband lives; but if the husband be fallen asleep, 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 so remain, according to my judgment; but I think that I also have God's Spirit.
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)