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1 Corinthians 7

Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

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.

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.

But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

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.

I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

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

But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

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.

And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

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.

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.

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

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.

Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

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

Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

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.

Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

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.

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

Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

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.

But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;

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;

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

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:

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.

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.

But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

What does 1 Corinthians 7:39 mean?

Explanation

1 Corinthians 7:39 centers on the marital obligations and freedoms of a wife in the context of her husband's death.

The verse implies that a wife is held to her marriage by law ("bound by the law") as long as her husband is alive. Upon her husband's death, she is released from this legal bond and can choose to remarry.

However, there is a stipulation to her freedom of choice in remarriage; it must be "only in the Lord." This phrase suggests that her choice to remarry should be within the Christian community, such that she marries a fellow believer in Christ.

The deeper meaning touches on the sanctity of marriage and the importance of shared faith within that union.

Top Rated 1 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

Written by Paul the Apostle in the mid-first century A.D., 1 Corinthians is a letter addressing various issues in the early Christian church in Corinth.

Corinth was a culturally diverse city with a mixing pot of religious beliefs and practices.

At the time, Christian converts came from various social and religious backgrounds, including paganism.

The teachings on marriage reflect the need for order and clear instructions in a community where Christian norms were being established amidst a complex social fabric of the Roman Empire.

Theological Insights

Theological perspectives on this verse range from viewing it as a directive that supports the inviolability and commitment within marriage to a discussion of the Christian identity in marital relationships.

Some theologians emphasize Paul's concern for marital unions to reflect Christian values and the spiritual compatibility of spouses.

This verse is also interpreted as Paul's acknowledgment of personal freedom after the marriage bond is dissolved by death, yet still guiding believers towards making choices that honor their faith.

Practical Applications

In today's context, the teachings of this verse can be applied by encouraging widows and widowers to consider the importance of shared religious beliefs when contemplating remarriage.

It acts as a guide for Christian communities to support individuals in their decision-making process after the loss of a spouse and reminds them to uphold their faith in personal relationships.

Cross-References

Romans 7:2: "For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband."
2 Corinthians 6:14: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"

Language Study

The word "bound" (Greek: "deo") suggests a legal or contractual obligation, similar to the terms of a covenant.

"Liberty" (Greek: "eleutheros") is indicative of freedom or release from a binding obligation.

"In the Lord" indicates a relational sphere that is within the community and authority of Jesus Christ, stressing the significance of partners sharing the same religious faith.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In Greco-Roman society, marriage customs could be complex and varied significantly by class and locality.

Viewed through the lens of other ancient religious interpretations, this verse presents early Christian views of marriage as distinct in their focus on mutual faith.

This may contrast with other contemporary cultural norms where religious homogeneity was not a necessary criterion for marriage.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives on marriage and interpersonal relationships often focus on psychological and sociological components.

Studies may analyze the impact of shared belief systems on the success and satisfaction of marital relationships, potentially affirming the wisdom in Paul’s advice for like-minded unions, although this would be a secular perspective on spiritual teachings.

commentaries

Commentators on this verse often reflect on the balance between personal freedom and religious responsibility.

Renowned theologians such as John Calvin and Matthew Henry have pointed out the freedom granted to the widow while also emphasizing the importance of Christian communion in her remarriage.

Modern scholars might look at the text through the lens of historical context, commenting on how Paul navigates the cultural complexities of his time with pastoral and theological concerns.

1 Corinthians 7

1 Corinthians 7

What does 1 Corinthians 7:39 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 1 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does 1 Corinthians 7:39 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 1 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?