1 Corinthians · Young's Literal Translation
1 Corinthians 7 Young's Literal Translation
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 And concerning the things of which ye wrote to me: good [it is] for a man not to touch a woman,
1 Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: it is good 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;
2 But, because of sexual immoralities, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.
3 to the wife let the husband the due benevolence render, and in like manner also the wife to the husband;
3 Let the husband give his wife the affection owed her, and likewise also the wife her 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.
4 The wife doesn’t have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise also the husband doesn’t have authority over his own body, but the wife does.
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;
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 and this I say by way of concurrence — not of command,
6 But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment.
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.
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 And I say to the unmarried and to the widows: it is good for them if they may remain even as I [am];
8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am.
9 and if they have not continence — let them marry, for it is better to marry than to burn;
9 But if they don’t have self-control, let them marry. For it’s better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 and to the married I announce — not I, but the Lord — let not a wife separate from a husband:
10 But to the married I command—not I, but the Lord—that the wife not leave her 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.
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 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;
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 and a woman who hath a husband unbelieving, and he is pleased to dwell with her, let her not send him away;
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 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.
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 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;
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 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?
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 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:
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 being circumcised — was any one called? let him not become uncircumcised; in uncircumcision was any one called? let him not be circumcised;
18 Was anyone called having been circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.
19 the circumcision is nothing, and the uncircumcision is nothing — but a keeping of the commands of God.
19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is keeping God’s commandments.
20 Each in the calling in which he was called — in this let him remain;
20 Let each man stay in that calling in which he was called.
21 a servant — wast thou called? be not anxious; but if also thou art able to become free — use [it] rather;
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 [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:
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 with a price ye were bought, become not servants of men;
23 You were bought with a price. Don’t become bondservants of men.
24 each, in that in which he was called, brethren, in this let him remain with God.
24 Brothers, let each man, in whatever condition he was called, stay in that condition 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:
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 suppose, therefore, this to be good because of the present necessity, that [it is] good for a man that the matter be thus: —
26 Therefore I think that because of the distress that is on us, it’s good for a man to remain as he is.
27 Hast thou been bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed; hast thou been loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
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 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.
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 And this I say, brethren, the time henceforth is having been shortened — that both those having wives may be as not having;
29 But I say this, brothers: the time is short. From now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none;
30 and those weeping, as not weeping; and those rejoicing, as not rejoicing; and those buying, as not possessing;
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 using this world, as not using [it] up; for passing away is the fashion of this world.
31 and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away.
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;
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 and the married is anxious for the things of the world, how he shall please the wife.
33 but he who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his 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.
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 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,
35 This I say for your own benefit, not that I may ensnare you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to the Lord without distraction.
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.
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 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;
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 that both he who is giving in marriage doth well, and he who is not giving in marriage doth better.
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 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;
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 and she is happier if she may so remain — according to my judgment; and I think I also have the Spirit of God.
40 But she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have God’s Spirit.
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)