1 Corinthians · Douay-Rheims (Challoner), American Edition 1899
1 Corinthians 7 Douay-Rheims (Challoner), American Edition 1899
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
DRB Douay-Rheims (Challoner), American Edition 1899
PT1904 Patriarchal Text 1904 (accented, eBible edition)
1 Now concerning the thing whereof you wrote 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 for fear of fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every 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 the debt to his wife, and the wife also in like manner to the husband.
3 τῇ γυναικὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ τὴν ὀφειλομένην εὔνοιαν ἀποδιδότω, ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ ἡ γυνὴ τῷ ἀνδρί.
4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband. And in like manner the husband also hath not power of 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, 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.
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 I speak this by indulgence, not by commandment.
6 τοῦτο δὲ λέγω κατὰ συγγνώμην, οὐ κατ᾽ ἐπιταγήν.
7 For I would that all men were even as myself: but every one hath his proper 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 the widows: It is good for them if they so continue, even as I.
8 Λέγω δὲ τοῖς ἀγάμοις καὶ ταῖς χήραις, καλὸν αὐτοῖς ἐστιν ἐὰν μείνωσιν ὡς κἀγώ.
9 But if they do not contain themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to be burnt.
9 εἰ δὲ οὐκ ἐγκρατεύονται, γαμησάτωσαν· κρεῖσσον γάρ ἐστι γαμῆσαι ἢ πυροῦσθαι.
10 But to them that are married, not I but the Lord commandeth, that the wife depart not from her husband.
10 τοῖς δὲ γεγαμηκόσι παραγγέλλω, οὐκ ἐγώ, ἀλλ᾽ ὁ Κύριος, γυναῖκα ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς μὴ χωρισθῆναι·
11 And if she depart, that she remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband. And let not the husband put away his wife.
11 ἐὰν δὲ καὶ χωρισθῇ, μενέτω ἄγαμος ἢ τῷ ἀνδρὶ καταλλαγήτω· καὶ ἄνδρα γυναῖκα μὴ ἀφιέναι.
12 For to the rest I speak, not the Lord. If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she consent to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
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 if any woman hath a husband that believeth not, and he consent to dwell with her, let her not put away 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 by the believing wife; and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the believing husband: otherwise your children should be 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 depart, let him depart. For a brother or sister is not under servitude 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 man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
16 τί γὰρ οἶδας, γύναι, εἰ τὸν ἄνδρα σώσεις; ἢ τί οἶδας, ἄνερ, εἰ τὴν γυναῖκα σώσεις;
17 But as the Lord hath distributed to every one, as God hath called every one, so let him walk: and so in all churches I teach.
17 εἰ μὴ ἑκάστῳ ὡς ἐμέρισεν ὁ Θεός, ἕκαστον ὡς κέκληκεν ὁ Κύριος, οὕτω περιπατείτω. καὶ οὕτως ἐν ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις πάσαις διατάσσομαι.
18 Is any man called, being circumcised? let him not procure uncircumcision. Is any man 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 observance of the commandments of God.
19 ἡ περιτομὴ οὐδέν ἐστι, καὶ ἡ ἀκροβυστία οὐδέν ἐστιν, ἀλλὰ τήρησις ἐντολῶν Θεοῦ.
20 Let every man abide in the same calling in which he was called.
20 ἕκαστος ἐν τῇ κλήσει ᾗ ἐκλήθη, ἐν ταύτῃ μενέτω.
21 Wast thou called, being a bondman? care not for it; but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
21 δοῦλος ἐκλήθης; μή σοι μελέτω· ἀλλ᾽ εἰ καὶ δύνασαι ἐλεύθερος γενέσθαι, μᾶλλον χρῆσαι.
22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a bondman, is the freeman of the Lord. Likewise he that is called, being free, is the bondman of Christ.
22 ὁ γὰρ ἐν Κυρίῳ κληθεὶς δοῦλος ἀπελεύθερος Κυρίου ἐστίν· ὁμοίως καὶ ὁ ἐλεύθερος κληθεὶς δοῦλός ἐστι Χριστοῦ.
23 You are bought with a price; be not made the bondslaves of men.
23 τιμῆς ἠγοράσθητε· μὴ γίνεσθε δοῦλοι ἀνθρώπων.
24 Brethren, let every 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 counsel, as having obtained 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 therefore that this is good for the present necessity, that it is good for a man so to be.
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 loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
27 δέδεσαι γυναικί; μὴ ζήτει λύσιν· λέλυσαι ἀπὸ γυναικός; μὴ ζήτει γυναῖκα·
28 But if thou take a wife, thou hast not sinned. And if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned: nevertheless, such shall have tribulation of 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 This therefore I say, brethren; the time is short; it remaineth, that they also who have wives, be as if 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 they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as if they rejoiced not; and they 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 they that use this world, as if they used it not: 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 without solicitude. He that is without a wife, is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God.
32 θέλω δὲ ὑμᾶς ἀμερίμνους εἶναι. ὁ ἄγαμος μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ Κυρίου, πῶς ἀρέσει τῷ Κυρίῳ·
33 But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife: and he is divided.
33 ὁ δὲ γαμήσας μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ κόσμου, πῶς ἀρέσει τῇ γυναικί.
34 And the unmarried woman and the virgin thinketh on the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she that is married thinketh on 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 speak for your profit: not to cast a snare upon you; but for that which is decent, and which may give you power to attend upon the Lord, without impediment.
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 think that he seemeth dishonoured, with regard to his virgin, for that she is above the age, and it must so be: let him do what he will; he sinneth not, if she 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 For he that hath determined being steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but having power of his own will; and hath judged this in his heart, to keep his virgin, doth 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 Therefore, both he that giveth his virgin in marriage, doth well; and he that giveth her not, doth better.
38 ὥστε καὶ ὁ ἐκγαμίζων καλῶς ποιεῖ, ὁ δὲ μὴ ἐκγαμίζων κρεῖσσον ποιεῖ.
39 A woman is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband die, she is at liberty: let her marry 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 more blessed shall she be, if she so remain, according to my counsel; 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)