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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Corinthians 7:1 Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good to abstain from sexual relations.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/7-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/46_1Co_07_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Corinthians 7:1 - Principles of Marriage" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good to abstain from sexual relations." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_corinthians/7-1.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_corinthians/7-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_corinthians/">1 Corinthians</a> > <a href="/1_corinthians/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 1</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-20.htm" title="1 Corinthians 6:20">◄</a> 1 Corinthians 7:1 <a href="/1_corinthians/7-2.htm" title="1 Corinthians 7:2">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Now for the matters you wrote about: &#8220It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to abstain from sexual relations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good to abstain from sexual relations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now concerning the things about which you wrote: <i>It is</i> good for a man not to touch a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: <i>It is</i> good for a man not to touch a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: <i>It is</i> good for a man not to touch a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_corinthians/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now as to the matters of which you wrote: It is good (beneficial, advantageous) for a man not to touch a woman [outside marriage].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now in response to the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now in response to the matters you wrote about: &#8220It is good for a man not to have relations with a woman.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_corinthians/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_corinthians/7.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Now I will answer the questions you asked in your letter. You asked, "Is it best for people not to marry?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_corinthians/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Now, concerning the things that you wrote about: It's good for men not to get married.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Now, to deal with the matters you wrote about. A man does well not to marry. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_corinthians/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Now about what you asked: "Is it advisable for a man not to marry?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now for the matters about which you wrote me: It is good to abstain from sexual relations.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_corinthians/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now with regard to the issues you wrote about: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now concerning the things about which you wrote: it is good for a man not to touch a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now concerning the things of which ye wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />I now deal with the subjects mentioned in your letter. It is well for a man to abstain altogether from marriage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_corinthians/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And concerning the things of which you wrote to me: [it is] good for a man not to touch a woman,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />Now concerning the things about which you wrote: <i>It is</i> good for a man not to touch a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And concerning the things of which ye wrote to me: good it is for a man not to touch a woman,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_corinthians/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And of what ye wrote to me: good for a man not to touch a woman.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />NOW concerning the thing whereof you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now in regard to the matters about which you wrote: “It is a good thing for a man not to touch a woman,”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is well for a man not to touch a woman.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />NOW concerning the things which you wrote to me: It is proper for a husband not to have intimacy with his wife at times.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/7.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />But concerning those things of which you wrote to me, it is good for a man not to touch a woman,<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/7.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br />But concerning those things about which you wrote to me: That it is good for a man not to receive a wife:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/7.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />NOW with regard to those things concerning which ye have written unto me, it were good for a man not to touch a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/1_corinthians/7.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />Now as to the question you writ to me about; "whether it is best for a man not to marry?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/1_corinthians/7.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />I now deal with the subjects mentioned in your letter. It is well for a man to abstain altogether from marriage.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/7.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br />Now concerning the things of which ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/7.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br />Now <i>as to the things</i> concerning which ye wrote to me: <i>it were</i> good for a man not to touch a woman.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=1156" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/7.htm">Principles of Marriage</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">Now</a> <a href="/greek/4012.htm" title="4012: Peri (Prep) -- From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.">for</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hōn (RelPro-GNP) -- Who, which, what, that. ">the matters</a> <a href="/greek/1125.htm" title="1125: egrapsate (V-AIA-2P) -- A primary verb; to grave, especially to write; figuratively, to describe.">you wrote about:</a> <a href="/greek/2570.htm" title="2570: kalon (Adj-NNS) -- Properly, beautiful, but chiefly good, i.e. Valuable or virtuous.">It is good</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpō (N-DMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being."></a> <a href="/greek/3361.htm" title="3361: mē (Adv) -- Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether."></a> <a href="/greek/680.htm" title="680: haptesthai (V-PNM) -- Prop: I fasten to; I lay hold of, touch, know carnally. Reflexive of hapto; properly, to attach oneself to, i.e. To touch.">to abstain from sexual relations.</a> <a href="/greek/1135.htm" title="1135: gynaikos (N-GFS) -- A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife."></a> </span> <span class="reftext">2</span>But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/2-18.htm">Genesis 2:18</a></span><br />The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-10.htm">Matthew 19:10-12</a></span><br />His disciples said to Him, “If this is the case between a man and his wife, it is better not to marry.” / “Not everyone can accept this word,” He replied, “but only those to whom it has been given. / For there are eunuchs who were born that way; others were made that way by men; and still others live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/5-15.htm">Proverbs 5:15-19</a></span><br />Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well. / Why should your springs flow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? / Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-31.htm">Ephesians 5:31-33</a></span><br />“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” / This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church. / Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27-28</a></span><br />So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. / God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Hebrews 13:4</a></span><br />Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/songs/4-9.htm">Song of Solomon 4:9-10</a></span><br />You have captured my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your neck. / How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! Your love is much better than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than all spices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">Matthew 5:27-28</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ / But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3-5</a></span><br />For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; / each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, / not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-22.htm">Proverbs 18:22</a></span><br />He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-18.htm">Colossians 3:18-19</a></span><br />Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. / Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-67.htm">Genesis 24:67</a></span><br />And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-1.htm">1 Peter 3:1-7</a></span><br />Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives / when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. / Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/4-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:9-12</a></span><br />Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. / For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! / Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-2.htm">Romans 7:2-3</a></span><br />For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now concerning the things whereof you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.</p><p class="hdg">good.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/7-8.htm">1 Corinthians 7:8,26,27,37,38</a></b></br> I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/19-10.htm">Matthew 19:10,11</a></b></br> His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with <i>his</i> wife, it is not good to marry… </p><p class="hdg">touch.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/20-6.htm">Genesis 20:6</a></b></br> And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ruth/2-9.htm">Ruth 2:9</a></b></br> <i>Let</i> thine eyes <i>be</i> on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of <i>that</i> which the young men have drawn.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/6-29.htm">Proverbs 6:29</a></b></br> So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/acts/21-25.htm">Abstain</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-7.htm">Altogether</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-2.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-6.htm">Good</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-9.htm">Letter</a> <a href="/romans/7-2.htm">Marriage</a> <a href="/luke/20-35.htm">Marry</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-4.htm">Matters</a> <a href="/luke/23-6.htm">Mentioned</a> <a href="/romans/9-23.htm">Subjects</a> <a href="/acts/8-18.htm">Touch</a> <a href="/romans/15-17.htm">Whereof</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-16.htm">Written</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-11.htm">Wrote</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/8-8.htm">Abstain</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-10.htm">Altogether</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-31.htm">Deal</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-8.htm">Good</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/2-9.htm">Letter</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-9.htm">Marriage</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-9.htm">Marry</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-19.htm">Matters</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-3.htm">Mentioned</a> <a href="/hebrews/2-15.htm">Subjects</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-13.htm">Touch</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-5.htm">Whereof</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-9.htm">Written</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/2-3.htm">Wrote</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">He discusses marriage;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-4.htm">showing it to be a remedy against sinful desires,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-10.htm">and that the bond thereof ought not lightly to be dissolved.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-20.htm">Every man must be content with his vocation.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-25.htm">Virginity wherefore to be embraced;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">35. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-35.htm">and for what respects we may either marry, or abstain from marrying.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_corinthians/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Now for the matters you wrote about:</b><br>This phrase indicates that Paul is responding to specific questions or concerns raised by the Corinthian church in a previous letter. The Corinthian church was dealing with various issues, and they sought Paul's guidance. This reflects the early church's practice of seeking apostolic authority for doctrinal and practical matters. The phrase suggests a dialogical relationship between Paul and the church, emphasizing the importance of addressing real-life issues within the Christian community.<p><b>It is good to abstain from sexual relations.</b><br>Paul's statement here must be understood within the cultural and historical context of Corinth, a city known for its sexual immorality and pagan practices. The phrase "it is good" suggests a commendable or beneficial choice, not a command. Paul acknowledges the value of celibacy, especially in light of the "present distress" (<a href="/1_corinthians/7-26.htm">1 Corinthians 7:26</a>), which may refer to persecution or other challenges facing the church. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/19-12.htm">Matthew 19:12</a> about those who choose celibacy for the sake of the kingdom. However, Paul later clarifies that marriage is also honorable and that each person has their own gift from God (<a href="/1_corinthians/7-7.htm">1 Corinthians 7:7</a>). This reflects the biblical principle that both singleness and marriage are valid and honorable states, each with its own purpose and calling.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a></b><br>The author of the letter to the Corinthians, addressing questions and issues raised by the Corinthian church.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a></b><br>A major city in ancient Greece known for its diverse population and moral challenges, including issues related to sexual immorality.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/c/corinthian_church.htm">Corinthian Church</a></b><br>The recipients of Paul's letter, a Christian community grappling with questions about marriage, celibacy, and sexual conduct.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_corinthian_correspondence.htm">The Corinthian Correspondence</a></b><br>The context of this verse is part of a larger dialogue between Paul and the Corinthian church, where they sought guidance on various issues.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_context_of_corinth.htm">Cultural Context of Corinth</a></b><br>A society with prevalent sexual immorality, influencing the church's understanding and practices regarding sexual relations.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_context.htm">Understanding Context</a></b><br>Recognize that Paul's advice is in response to specific questions from the Corinthian church, reflecting their cultural and moral challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/v/value_of_celibacy.htm">Value of Celibacy</a></b><br>Paul acknowledges celibacy as a good and honorable state, especially for those who are called to it, emphasizing self-control and devotion to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/marriage_as_a_gift.htm">Marriage as a Gift</a></b><br>While celibacy is good, marriage is also a gift from God, designed for companionship and to fulfill human needs within a holy covenant.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/sexual_purity.htm">Sexual Purity</a></b><br>Christians are called to live in sexual purity, whether married or single, reflecting God's holiness in their relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_will.htm">Seeking God's Will</a></b><br>Believers should seek God's guidance in their personal lives, whether in choosing celibacy or marriage, ensuring their decisions align with His will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_often_should_married_couples_have_sex.htm">How frequently should married couples have sex?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/keep_oil_and_wine_unharmed.htm">Why is beef consumption considered controversial or problematic?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_many_letters_to_corinthians.htm">How many letters were sent to the Corinthians?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_1_cor_7_9_too_simplistic_on_marriage.htm">Does 1 Corinthians 7:9 oversimplify human relationships by advocating marriage primarily to avoid sexual immorality?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/7.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-40.</span> - <span class="accented">Answers to the inquiries of the Corinthians respecting marriage.</span> <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1-11.</span> - <span class="accented">The</span> <span class="accented">lawfulness of marriage, and its duties.</span> <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Now concerning.</span> This refers to questions of the Corinthians (comp. <a href="/1_corinthians/7-25.htm">1 Corinthians 7:25</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/8-1.htm">1 Corinthians 8:1</a>; <a href="/1_corinthians/12-1.htm">1 Corinthians 12:1</a>). It is <span class="cmt_word">good for a man not to touch a woman.</span> The word used is not <span class="accented">agathon</span>, good, but <span class="accented">kalon</span>, fair; "an excellent thing." In ver. 26 he limits the word by the clause, "good <span class="accented">for the present necessity."</span> There is no limitation here, and it is probable that St. Paul is quoting the actual words of the letter which he had received from Corinth. There had sprung up among them some antinomians, who, perhaps by perverting his own teaching or that of Apollos, had made liberty a cloak of lasciviousness. In indignant reaction against such laxity, others, perhaps, with Essene proclivities, had been led to disparage matrimony as involving an inevitable stain. Gnosticism, and the spirit which led to it, oscillated between the two extremes of asceticism and uncleanness. Both extremes were grounded on the assertion that matter is inherently evil. Ascetic Gnostics, therefore, strove to destroy by severity every carnal impulse; antinomian Gnostics argued that the life of the spirit was so utterly independent of the flesh that what the flesh did was of no consequence. We find the <span class="accented">germs</span> of Gnostic heresy long before the name appeared. Theoretically, St. Paul inclines to the ascetic view, not in the abstract, but in view of the near advent of Christ, and of the cares, distractions, and even trials which marriage involved in days of struggle and persecution. Yet his wisdom is shown in the cautious moderation with which he expresses himself. The tone of the letter written by Gregory the Great to Augustine with reference to similar inquiries about Saxon converts is very different. The example of St. Paul should have shown the mediaeval moralists and even the later Fathers how wrong it is "to give themselves airs of certainty on points where certainty is not to be had." <span class="accented">Not to touch a woman.</span> St. Paul means generally "not to marry" (comp. <a href="/genesis/20-4.htm">Genesis 20:4</a> [LXX.]). Celibacy under the then existing conditions of the Christian world is, he admits, in itself an honourable and morally salutary thing, though, for the majority, marriage may be a positive duty. He is not dreaming of the <span class="accented">nominal</span> marriages of mediaeval ascetics, for he assumes and directs that all who marry should live in conjugal union. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">Now</span><br /><span class="grk">δὲ</span> <span class="translit">(de)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; but, and, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="grk">Περὶ</span> <span class="translit">(Peri)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4012.htm">Strong's 4012: </a> </span><span class="str2">From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the matters</span><br /><span class="grk">ὧν</span> <span class="translit">(hōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">you wrote about:</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐγράψατε</span> <span class="translit">(egrapsate)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1125.htm">Strong's 1125: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[It is] good</span><br /><span class="grk">καλὸν</span> <span class="translit">(kalon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2570.htm">Strong's 2570: </a> </span><span class="str2">Properly, beautiful, but chiefly good, i.e. Valuable or virtuous.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to abstain from sexual relations.</span><br /><span class="grk">ἅπτεσθαι</span> <span class="translit">(haptesthai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Infinitive Middle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_680.htm">Strong's 680: </a> </span><span class="str2">Prop: I fasten to; I lay hold of, touch, know carnally. Reflexive of hapto; properly, to attach oneself to, i.e. To touch.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">1 Corinthians 7:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">1 Corinthians 7:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">1 Corinthians 7:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">1 Corinthians 7:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">1 Corinthians 7:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">1 Corinthians 7:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">1 Corinthians 7:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">1 Corinthians 7:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">1 Corinthians 7:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">1 Corinthians 7:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_corinthians/7-1.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:1 Now concerning the things about which you (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 6:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 6:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/7-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 7:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 7:2" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>