CONCERNING MARRIAGE

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.
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?
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.
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.

CONCERNING VIRGINS
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.
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:
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.

1Now cōcerning the things wherof ye wrote vnto me, It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

2Neuerthelesse, to auoid fornication, let euery man haue his owne wife, and let euery woman haue her owne husband.

3Let the husband render vnto the wife due beneuolence: and likewise also the wife vnto the husband.

4The wife hath not power of her owne body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his owne body, but the wife.

5Defraud you not one the other, except it bee with consent for a time, that yee may giue your selues to fasting and prayer, and come together againe, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinencie.

6But I speake this by permission, and not of commandement.

7For I would that all men were euen as I my selfe: but euery man hath his proper gift of God, one after this maner, and another after that.

8I say therefore to the vnmaried and widowes, It is good for them if they abide euen as I.

9But if they cannot conteine, let them marry: for it is better to marrie then to burne.

10And vnto the married, I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

11But and if shee depart, let her remaine vnmaried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

12But to the rest speake I, not the Lord, If any brother hath a wife that beleeueth not, and shee bee pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

13And the woman which hath an husband that beleeueth not, and if hee be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leaue him.

14For the vnbeleeuing husband is sanctified by the wife, and the vnbeleeuing wife is sanctified by the husband; else were your children vncleane, but now are they holy.

15But if the vnbeleeuing depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not vnder bondage in such cases: but God hath called vs to peace.

16For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt saue thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt saue thy wife?

17But as God hath distributed to euery man, as the Lord hath called euery one, so let him walke, and so ordeine I in all Churches.

18Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become vncircumcised: Is any called in vncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

19Circumcision is nothing, and vncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the Commandements of God.

20Let euery man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

21Art thou called being a seruant? care not for it: but if thou maist be made free, vse it rather.

22For he that is called in the Lord, being a seruant, is the Lords free man: likewise also hee that is called being free, is Christs seruant.

23Ye are bought with a price, be not ye the seruants of men.

24Brethren, let euery man wherin he is called, therein abide with God.

25Nowe concerning virgins, I haue no commaundement of the Lord: yet I giue my iudgement as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithfull.

26I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distresse, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.

27Art thou bound vnto a wife? seeke not to bee loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seeke not a wife.

28But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned, and if a virgin marry, shee hath not sinned: neuerthelesse, such shall haue trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

29But this I say, brethren, the time is short. It remaineth, that both they that haue wiues, be as though they had none:

30And they that weepe, as though they wept not: and they that reioyce, as though they reioyced not: and they that buy, as though they possessed not:

31And they that vse this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

32But I would haue you without carefulnesse. He that is vnmarried, careth for the things that belōgeth to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

33But hee that is maried, careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

34There is difference also between a wife and a virgin: the vnmaried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that shee may be holy, both in body and in spirit: but she that is married, careth for the things of the worlde, how shee may please her husband.

35And this I speake for your owne profite, not that I may cast a snare vpon you, but for that which is comely, and that you may attend vpon the Lord without distraction.

36But if any man thinke that he behaueth himselfe vncomely toward his virgin, if she passe the floure of her age, and neede so require, let him doe what hee will, hee sinneth not: let them marry.

37Neuerthelesse, hee that standeth stedfast in his heart, hauing no necessitie, but hath power ouer his owne will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keepe his virgin, doeth well.

38So then he that giueth her in mariage, doeth wel: but he that giueth her not in mariage, doeth better.

39The wife is bound by the Lawe as long as her husband liueth: but if her husband bee dead, shee is at liberty to bee maried to whom shee will, onely in the Lord.

40But shee is happier if shee sobide, after my iudgment: and I thinke also that I haue the Spirit of God.

III == Ex 21:10 ; 1st Peter 3:7

V == Ex 19:15 ; Zech 7:3 ; 1st Thess 3:5

VI 2nd Cor 8:8 ; 11:17

VII == Matt 19:12 ; Acts 26:29 ; 1st Cor 9:5 ; 12:11

X == Mal 2:14 , 16 ; Matt 5:32 ; 19:6, 9 ; Mark 10:11-12 ; Luke 16:18

XIV == Mal 2:15

XV == 1st Cor 14:33

XVI == 1st Peter 3:1

XVIII == Acts 15:1 , 5 , 19 , 24 , 28 ; Gal 5:2

XIX == John 15:14 ; Gal 5:6 ; 6:15

XXII == John 8:36 ; Gal 5:13 ; Eph 6:6 ; Phile 1:16 ; 1st Peter 2:16

XXIII == Lev 25:42 ; 1st Cor 6:20

XXIV == 1st Cor 7:20

XXV == 1st Cor 4:2 ; 7:6 , 10 , 40 ; 1st Tim 1:12 , 16

XXVI == 1st Cor 7:1 , 8

XXIX == 1st Peter 4:7 ; 2nd Peter 3:8-9

XXXI == Ps 39:6 ; 1st Cor 9:18 ; 1st Peter 1:24 ; 4:7 ; 1st John 2:17

XXXIV == Luke 10:40

XXXVIII == Heb 13:4

XXXIX == 2nd Cor 6:14 ; Rom 7:2

XL == 1st Cor 7:25 ; 1st Thess 4:8

1 Now concerning the things whereof you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 But for fear of fornication, let every man have his own wife: and let every woman have her own husband. 3 Let the husband render the debt to his wife: and the wife also in like manner to the husband. 4 The wife has not power of her own body: but the husband. And in like manner the husband also has not power of his own body: but the wife.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 temp you for your inconinency. 6 But I speak this by indulgence, not by commandment.7  For I would that all men were even as myself. But every one has his proper gift from God: one after this manner, and another after that. 8 But I say to the unmarried and to the windows: It is good for them if they so continue, even as I. 9  But if they do not contain themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to be burnt. 10 But to them that are married, not I, but the Lord, commands that the wife depart not from her husband. 11 And if she depar, that she remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And let not the husband put away his wife. 12  For to the rest I speak, not the Lord. If any brother has a wife that believes not and she consent to dwell with him: let him not put her away. 13  And if any woman has a husband that believes not and he consent to dwell with her: let her not put away her husband.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.
15  But if the unbeliever depart, let him depart. For a brother or sister is not under servitude in such cases. But God has called us in peace. 16  For how do you know, O wife, whether you shall save your husband? Or how do you know, O man, whether you shall save your wife? 17  But as the Lord has distributed to every one, as God has called every one: so let him walk. And so in all churches I teach. 18  Is any man called, being circumcised? Let him not procure uncircumcision. Is any man called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcise.
19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing: but the observance of the commandments of God.
20  Let every man abide in the same calling in which he was called. 21  Were you called, being a bondman? Care not for it: but if you may be made free, use it rather. 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.
23 You are bought with a price: be not made the bondslaves of men. (24 was removed)
25  Now, concerning birgins, I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give counsel, as having obtained mercy of the Lord, to be faithful. 26  I think therefore that this is good for the present necessity: that it is good for a man so to be. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife. 28  But if you take a wife, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned: nevertheless, such shall have tribulation of the flesh. But I spare you. 29  This therefore I say, brethren: The time is short. It remains, that they also who have wives be as if they had none: 30  And they that weep, as though they wept not: and they that rejoice, as if they rejoiced not: and they that buy as if they possessed not: 31 And they that use this world, as if they used it not. For the fashion of this world passes away. 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. 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. 34 And the unmarried woman and the virgin thinks on the things of the Lord: that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she that is married thinks on the things of the world: how she may please her husband.
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.
36  But if any man think that he seems 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 sins not if she marry. 37 For he that has determined, being steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but having power of his own will: and has judged this in his heart, to keep his virgin, does well. 38 Therefore both he that gives his virgin in marriage does well: and he that gives her not does better. 39  A woman is bound by the law as long as her husband lives: but if her husband die, she is at liberty. Let her marry to whom she will: only in the Lord. 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.

v1.  “Concerning” indicates the Corinthians had written him of problems also in v25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1; and 16:12. Corinth was noted for sexual promiscuity and related marriage problems affecting believers. Here celibacy is all right for those who choose.  Touch, root word implies to fasten oneself to another sexually.

v2-5.  Especially in their setting, but yet today, a proper marriage relationship helps deter fornication. Sexual privilege is not to be withheld as a means of control, but by consent of both, it may be postponed temporarily for  spiritual  purposes. The error of celibacy in many cases can be demonstrated by the widespread abuse of nuns by priests in time past, and the molestation of altar boys by priests of our day.

v6.  This was not a direct command of Christ, but is inspired with equal authority.

v7-9.  Paul cast a vote in the Sanhedrin, Acts 26:10, so he was required to be married at that time. Obviously he is not married at this time because suggests it is all right for unmarried and widows to remain as he was. We can assume his wife had died. (Not deserted him for his faith as some think, or he would not have the right to take another wife, as indicated in 9:5.) However, as in verse 2, he warns of being overcome by the temptation of sexual passion.

v10,11.  There may arise such incompatible or unsafe relationships that one partner must leave, but if they do, they are to remain unmarried.

v12,13. The believer is not to initiate a separation. However, I believe that in the case of spouse abuse, the abuser shows by their actions that they are not pleased to dwell with the other, regardless of what they say. (Actions speak louder than words.)

v14.-16.  The unbeliever as well as the children have a better opportunity to be saved if the believer can put up with the situation and remain. If the unbeliever chooses to leave, the believer is no longer obligated to him or her, but neither are they given permission to remarry.  Remain in same position called, v17,20,24.

v17-24.  Verses 17, 20, and 24 express a principle that Paul had laid down in every place he had been, that people remain in the same general status after they become saved. It is not necessary for uncircumcised to be circumcised, regardless what some Jews thought. If he was a slave heshould continue to serve their master as a good Christian slave. Whether slave or free, ultimately we are servants of Christ. This  infers we don’t have to run out of our present marriage, location or circumstances to serve the Lord. On the other hand, in some occupations such as tavern operator, “Woe to him that giveth his neighbor drink”, Hab. 2:15, a believer should change occupation.

v25-35. Again by inspiration but not command, Paul recommends caution, not celibacy. There was no sin in marriage, but in the time of persecution, marriage opened up new problems. Two single people can each concentrate their interests in serving the Lord. When they marry, they must of necessity give much concentration to one another instead of fully to the Lord. However, as their marriage develops, they can turn their combined efforts to the Lord in a way that they could not have as singles.

v36-40.  This could be a father and daughter or any virgin he has control over, he may restrain for their good. If they are pledged or strongly desire it, it is all right for them to marry, but it would be better if they were single under the persecution etc. involved. The context may show this to be a man and his prospect who is passing youth. The thought  and warning of problems for marriage in difficult times continues. Withholding consent for his virgin had four requirements:
1. Be steadfast in his own heart about the matter.
2, Decision must be made freely, not distorted by custom.
3. He must have legal right to make the decision.
4. All urged to remain in their same condition in present distress, v26. 

V. 39 stresses that only after a spouse is dead is the believer free to remarry, and then only to another believer.