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1 Corinthians 7:2-9

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Scripture focus

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.

1 Corinthians 7:2-9 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:2

Theological / Devotional

Nevertheless. Though marriage is not required, it is wholly proper.

To avoid. Gr. dia, “because of,” “on account of.” These renderings of this word are preferred. Seeing that the condition of society in Corinth was such that immorality abounded, it was advisable for all Christians to be married. In whatever land the marriage tie has been lightly regarded, immorality has been common, and it will always be so. Purity and virtue are closely related to the preservation of the marriage vow. Paul’s recommendation of marriage as a protection against fornication has been regarded by some as a low concept of marriage. But such persons fail to note that because of a particular situation in Corinth, Paul dealt only with the negative side of the matter. He does not say that he offers here the only reason for marriage. He does not deny the positive elements, and the blessings that marriage provides (see on Matt. 19:12). Neander says of this passage: “We must not overlook the fact that Paul is here not treating of marriage in general, but only in its relation to the condition of things at Corinth, where he feared the effect of moral prejudices concerning celibacy” (Lange).

Fornication. Literally, “fornications.” The plural doubtless refers to the many forms of sexual vice that were practiced in Corinth.

Own wife, ... own husband. This injunction emphasizes the Christian practice of monogamy.

By SdaBc