71 Now concerning the things about which you wrote , it is good for a man not to touch a woman . 2 But because of immoralities , each man is to have his own wife , and each woman is to have her own husband . 3 The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife , and likewise also the wife to her husband . 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body , but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body , but the wife does. 5 Stop depriving one another , except by agreement for a time , so e that you may devote yourselves to prayer , and come together e e again so e that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control . 6 But this I say by way of concession , not of command . 7 Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However , each man has his own gift from God , one in this manner , and another e in that. 8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I. 9 But if they do not have self-control , let them marry ; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
10 But to the married I give instructions , not I, but the Lord , that the wife should not leave her husband 11 (but if she does leave , she must remain unmarried , or else be reconciled to her husband ), and that the husband should not divorce his wife . 12 But to the rest I say , not the Lord , that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever , and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has an unbelieving husband , and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away . 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife , and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband ; for otherwise your children are unclean , but now they are holy . 15 Yet if the unbelieving one leaves , let him leave ; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace . 16 For how do you know , O wife , whether you will save your husband ? Or how do you know , O husband , whether you will save your wife ?
17 Only e , as the Lord has assigned to each one , as God has called each , in this manner let him walk . And so I direct in all the churches . 18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised ? He is not to become uncircumcised . Has anyone been called in uncircumcision ? He is not to be circumcised . 19 Circumcision is nothing , and uncircumcision is nothing , but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God . 20 Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called . 21 Were you called while a slave ? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free , rather do that. 22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave , is the Lord's freedman ; likewise he who was called while free , is Christ's slave . 23 You were bought with a price ; do not become slaves of men . 24 Brethren , each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called .
25 Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord , but I give an opinion as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy . 26 I think then that this is good in view of the present distress , that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife ? Do not seek to be released . Are you released from a wife ? Do not seek a wife . 28 But if you marry , you have not sinned ; and if a virgin marries , she has not sinned . Yet such will have trouble in this life , and I am trying to spare you. 29 But this I say , brethren , the time has been shortened , so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none ; 30 and those who weep , as though they did not weep ; and those who rejoice , as though they did not rejoice ; and those who buy , as though they did not possess ; 31 and those who use the world , as though they did not make full use of it; for the form of this world is passing away . 32 But I want you to be free from concern . One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord , how he may please the Lord ; 33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world , how he may please his wife , 34 and his interests are divided . The woman who is unmarried , and the virgin , is concerned about the things of the Lord , that she may be holy both in body and spirit ; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world , how she may please her husband . 35 This I say for your own benefit ; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord .
36 But if any man thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin daughter, if she is past her youth , and if it must be so , let him do what he wishes , he does not sin ; let her marry . 37 But he who stands firm in his heart , being under no constraint , but has authority over his own will , and has decided this in his own heart , to keep his own virgin daughter, he will do well . 38 So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well , and he who does not give her in marriage will do better .
39 A wife is bound as long as her husband lives ; but if her husband is dead , she is free to be married to whom she wishes , only in the Lord . 40 But in my opinion she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:1-88
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:1-9
(Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-9)
The apostle tells the Corinthians that it was good, in that juncture of time, for Christians to keep themselves single. Yet he says that marriage, and the comforts of that state, are settled by Divine wisdom. Though none may break the law of God, yet that perfect rule leaves men at liberty to serve him in the way most suited to their powers and circumstances, of which others often are very unfit judges. All must determine for themselves, seeking counsel from God how they ought to act.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:10-16
(Read 1 Corinthians 7:10-16)
Man and wife must not separate for any other cause than what Christ allows. Divorce, at that time, was very common among both Jews and Gentiles, on very slight pretexts. Marriage is a Divine institution; and is an engagement for life, by God's appointment. We are bound, as much as in us lies, to live peaceably with all men, Romans 12:18, therefore to promote the peace and comfort of our nearest relatives, though unbelievers. It should be the labour and study of those who are married, to make each other as easy and happy as possible. Should a Christian desert a husband or wife, when there is opportunity to give the greatest proof of love? Stay, and labour heartily for the conversion of thy relative. In every state and relation the Lord has called us to peace; and every thing should be done to promote harmony, as far as truth and holiness will permit.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
(Read 1 Corinthians 7:17-24)
The rules of Christianity reach every condition; and in every state a man may live so as to be a credit to it. It is the duty of every Christian to be content with his lot, and to conduct himself in his rank and place as becomes a Christian. Our comfort and happiness depend on what we are to Christ, not what we are in the world. No man should think to make his faith or religion, an argument to break through any natural or civil obligations. He should quietly and contentedly abide in the condition in which he is placed by Divine Providence.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:25-35
(Read 1 Corinthians 7:25-35)
Considering the distress of those times, the unmarried state was best. Notwithstanding, the apostle does not condemn marriage. How opposite are those to the apostle Paul who forbid many to marry, and entangle them with vows to remain single, whether they ought to do so or not! He exhorts all Christians to holy indifference toward the world. As to relations; they must not set their hearts on the comforts of the state. As to afflictions; they must not indulge the sorrow of the world: even in sorrow the heart may be joyful. As to worldly enjoyments; here is not their rest. As to worldly employment; those that prosper in trade, and increase in wealth, should hold their possessions as though they held them not. As to all worldly concerns; they must keep the world out of their hearts, that they may not abuse it when they have it in their hands. All worldly things are show; nothing solid. All will be quickly gone. Wise concern about worldly interests is a duty; but to be full of care, to have anxious and perplexing care, is a sin. By this maxim the apostle solves the case whether it were advisable to marry. That condition of life is best for every man, which is best for his soul, and keeps him most clear of the cares and snares of the world. Let us reflect on the advantages and snares of our own condition in life; that we may improve the one, and escape as far as possible all injury from the other. And whatever cares press upon the mind, let time still be kept for the things of the Lord.
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:36-40
(Read 1 Corinthians 7:36-40)
The apostle is thought to give advice here about the disposal of children in marriage. In this view, the general meaning is plain. Children should seek and follow the directions of their parents as to marriage. And parents should consult their children's wishes; and not reckon they have power to do with them, and dictate just as they please, without reason. The whole is closed with advice to widows. Second marriages are not unlawful, so that it is kept in mind, to marry in the Lord. In our choice of relations, and change of conditions, we should always be guided by the fear of God, and the laws of God, and act in dependence on the providence of God. Change of condition ought only to be made after careful consideration, and on probable grounds, that it will be to advantage in our spiritual concerns.