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Chapter 7
Principles of Marriage
1
Now for the matters you wrote about: [It is] good vvv vvv to abstain from sexual relations…
δὲ Περὶ ὧν ἐγράψατε καλὸν ἀνθρώπῳ μὴ ἅπτεσθαι γυναικὸς de Peri hōn egrapsate kalon anthrōpō mē haptesthai gynaikos — NA/TR · 1
2
But because [there is so much] sexual immorality, each man should have his [own] wife, and each woman [her] own husband.
δὲ διὰ τὰς πορνείας ἕκαστος ἐχέτω ἑαυτοῦ τὴν γυναῖκα καὶ ἑκάστη ἐχέτω τὸν ἴδιον ἄνδρα de dia tas porneias hekastos echetō heautou tēn gynaika kai hekastē echetō ton idion andra — NA/TR · 2
3
The husband should fulfill [his] [marital] duty to [his] wife, and likewise… the wife to [her] husband.
ὁ ἀνὴρ ἀποδιδότω τὴν ὀφειλὴν Τῇ γυναικὶ δὲ ὁμοίως καὶ ἡ γυνὴ τῷ ἀνδρί ho anēr apodidotō tēn opheilēn Tē gynaiki de homoiōs kai hē gynē tō andri — NA/TR · 3
4
The wife [does] not have authority over [her] own body, but the husband. Likewise… the husband [does] not have authority over [his] own body, but the wife.
ἡ γυνὴ οὐκ ἐξουσιάζει τοῦ ἰδίου σώματος ἀλλὰ ὁ ἀνήρ δὲ ὁμοίως καὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ οὐκ ἐξουσιάζει τοῦ ἰδίου σώματος ἀλλὰ ἡ γυνή hē gynē ouk exousiazei tou idiou sōmatos alla ho anēr de homoiōs kai ho anēr ouk exousiazei tou idiou sōmatos alla hē gynē — NA/TR · 4
5
{Do} not deprive each other, except… by mutual consent [and] for a time, so you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together - again, so that Satan vvv will not tempt you through your lack of self-control.
Μὴ ἀποστερεῖτε ἀλλήλους εἰ μήτι ἂν ἐκ συμφώνου πρὸς καιρὸν ἵνα σχολάσητε τῇ προσευχῇ καὶ ἦτε ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ πάλιν ἵνα ὁ Σατανᾶς μὴ πειράζῃ ὑμᾶς διὰ ὑμῶν τὴν ἀκρασίαν Mē apostereite allēlous ei mēti an ek symphōnou pros kairon hina scholasēte tē proseuchē kai ēte epi to auto palin hina ho Satanas mē peirazē hymas dia hymōn tēn akrasian — NA/TR · 5
6
- I say this as a concession, not as a command.
δὲ λέγω τοῦτο κατὰ συνγνώμην οὐ κατ’ ἐπιταγήν de legō touto kata syngnōmēn ou kat’ epitagēn — NA/TR · 6
7
- I wish that all men were as I am. But each [man] has his own gift from God; one [has] this [gift], another [has] that.
δὲ θέλω πάντας ἀνθρώπους εἶναι καὶ ὡς ἐμαυτόν ἀλλὰ ἕκαστος ἔχει ἴδιον χάρισμα ἐκ Θεοῦ μὲν ὁ οὕτως δὲ ὁ οὕτως de thelō pantas anthrōpous einai kai hōs emauton alla hekastos echei idion charisma ek Theou men ho houtōs de ho houtōs — NA/TR · 7
8
Now to the unmarried and widows I say [this]: [It is] good for them vvv to remain [unmarried], as I am.
δὲ τοῖς ἀγάμοις καὶ ταῖς χήραις Λέγω καλὸν αὐτοῖς ἐὰν μείνωσιν ὡς κἀγώ de tois agamois kai tais chērais Legō kalon autois ean meinōsin hōs kagō — NA/TR · 8
9
But if vvv they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
δὲ εἰ οὐκ ἐγκρατεύονται γαμησάτωσαν γάρ ἐστιν κρεῖττον γαμῆσαι ἢ πυροῦσθαι de ei ouk enkrateuontai gamēsatōsan gar estin kreitton gamēsai ē pyrousthai — NA/TR · 9
10
- To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife vvv must not separate from [her] husband.
δὲ Τοῖς γεγαμηκόσιν παραγγέλλω οὐκ ἐγὼ ἀλλὰ ὁ Κύριος γυναῖκα μὴ χωρισθῆναι ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς de Tois gegamēkosin parangellō ouk egō alla ho Kyrios gynaika mē chōristhēnai apo andros — NA/TR · 10
11
But if she [does], she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to [her] husband. And a husband vvv must not divorce [his] wife.
δὲ ἐὰν καὶ χωρισθῇ μενέτω ἄγαμος ἢ καταλλαγήτω τῷ ἀνδρὶ καὶ ἄνδρα μὴ ἀφιέναι γυναῖκα de ean kai chōristhē menetō agamos ē katallagētō tō andri kai andra mē aphienai gynaika — NA/TR · 11
12
- To the rest I say this ([I,] not the Lord): If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, vvv he must not divorce her.
δὲ Τοῖς λοιποῖς ἐγώ λέγω οὐχ ὁ Κύριος εἴ τις ἀδελφὸς ἔχει ἄπιστον γυναῖκα καὶ αὕτη συνευδοκεῖ οἰκεῖν μετ’ αὐτοῦ μὴ ἀφιέτω αὐτήν de Tois loipois egō legō ouch ho Kyrios ei tis adelphos echei apiston gynaika kai hautē syneudokei oikein met’ autou mē aphietō autēn — NA/TR · 12
13
And if a woman has an unbelieving husband and he is willing to live with her, vvv she must not divorce [him].
καὶ εἴ τις γυνὴ ἔχει ἄπιστον ἄνδρα καὶ οὗτος συνευδοκεῖ οἰκεῖν μετ’ αὐτῆς μὴ ἀφιέτω τὸν ἄνδρα kai ei tis gynē echei apiston andra kai houtos syneudokei oikein met’ autēs mē aphietō ton andra — NA/TR · 13
14
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through [his] [believing] wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through [her] [believing] husband. Otherwise… your children would be unclean, but now they are holy.
γὰρ ὁ ὁ ἄπιστος ἀνὴρ ἡγίασται ἐν τῇ γυναικί καὶ ἡ ἡ ἄπιστος γυνὴ ἡγίασται ἐν τῷ ἀδελφῷ ἐπεὶ ἄρα ὑμῶν τὰ τέκνα ἐστιν ἀκάθαρτά δὲ νῦν ἐστιν ἅγιά gar ho ho apistos anēr hēgiastai en tē gynaiki kai hē hē apistos gynē hēgiastai en tō adelphō epei ara hymōn ta tekna estin akatharta de nyn estin hagia — NA/TR · 14
15
But if the unbeliever leaves, let him go. The [ believing ] brother or sister vvv is not bound in such [cases]. - God has called you [to live] in peace.
δὲ Εἰ ὁ ἄπιστος χωρίζεται χωριζέσθω ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἢ ἡ ἀδελφὴ οὐ δεδούλωται ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις δὲ ὁ Θεός κέκληκεν ὑμᾶς ἐν εἰρήνῃ de Ei ho apistos chōrizetai chōrizesthō ho adelphos ē hē adelphē ou dedoulōtai en tois toioutois de ho Theos keklēken hymas en eirēnē — NA/TR · 15
16
- How do you know, wife, whether you will save [your] husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save [your] wife?
γὰρ τί οἶδας γύναι εἰ σώσεις τὸν ἄνδρα ἢ τί οἶδας ἄνερ εἰ σώσεις τὴν γυναῖκα gar ti oidas gynai ei sōseis ton andra ē ti oidas aner ei sōseis tēn gynaika — NA/TR · 16
Live Your Calling
17
Regardless…, each one should lead [ the life ] [that] the Lord has assigned [to him] [and to which] God has called [him]. This [is what] I prescribe in all the churches.
Εἰ μὴ ἑκάστῳ περιπατείτω οὕτως ὡς ὁ Κύριος ἐμέρισεν ὡς ὁ Θεός κέκληκεν ἕκαστον καὶ οὕτως διατάσσομαι ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ἐκκλησίαις Ei mē hekastō peripateitō houtōs hōs ho Kyrios emerisen hōs ho Theos keklēken hekaston kai houtōs diatassomai en pasais tais ekklēsiais — NA/TR · 17
18
{Was} a man already circumcised when he was called? vvv He should not become uncircumcised. {Was} a man vvv still uncircumcised when called? vvv He should not be circumcised.
τις περιτετμημένος ἐκλήθη μὴ ἐπισπάσθω τις ἐν ἀκροβυστίᾳ κέκληταί μὴ περιτεμνέσθω tis peritetmēmenos eklēthē mē epispasthō tis en akrobystia keklētai mē peritemnesthō — NA/TR · 18
19
- Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commandments [is what counts].
ἡ περιτομὴ ἐστιν οὐδέν καὶ ἡ ἀκροβυστία ἐστιν οὐδέν ἀλλὰ τήρησις Θεοῦ ἐντολῶν hē peritomē estin ouden kai hē akrobystia estin ouden alla tērēsis Theou entolōn — NA/TR · 19
20
Each [one] - should remain in the situation [he was] in when he was called.
Ἕκαστος ἐν ταύτῃ μενέτω ἐν τῇ κλήσει ᾗ ἐκλήθη Hekastos en tautē menetō en tē klēsei hē eklēthē — NA/TR · 20
21
Were you a slave when you were called? vvv Do not let it concern you— but if you can gain [your] freedom, take the opportunity.
δοῦλος ἐκλήθης μή μελέτω σοι ἀλλ’ εἰ καὶ δύνασαι γενέσθαι ἐλεύθερος μᾶλλον χρῆσαι doulos eklēthēs mē meletō soi all’ ei kai dynasai genesthai eleutheros mallon chrēsai — NA/TR · 21
22
For he who [was] a slave when he was called by [the] Lord is [the] Lord’s freedman. Conversely, he who [was] a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave.
γὰρ ὁ δοῦλος κληθεὶς ἐν Κυρίῳ ἐστίν Κυρίου ἀπελεύθερος ὁμοίως ὁ ἐλεύθερος κληθεὶς ἐστιν Χριστοῦ δοῦλός gar ho doulos klētheis en Kyriō estin Kyriou apeleutheros homoiōs ho eleutheros klētheis estin Christou doulos — NA/TR · 22
23
You were bought at a price; {do} not become slaves of men.
ἠγοράσθητε Τιμῆς μὴ γίνεσθε δοῦλοι ἀνθρώπων ēgorasthēte Timēs mē ginesthe douloi anthrōpōn — NA/TR · 23
24
Brothers, each one should remain in the [situation] he was in when God called him…
ἀδελφοί ἕκαστος μενέτω ἐν τούτῳ ᾧ ἐν ἐκλήθη παρὰ Θεῷ adelphoi hekastos menetō en toutō hō en eklēthē para Theō — NA/TR · 24
The Unmarried and Widowed
25
Now about virgins, I have no command from [the] Lord, but I give a judgment as [one who] by [the] Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
δὲ Περὶ τῶν παρθένων ἔχω οὐκ ἐπιταγὴν Κυρίου δὲ δίδωμι γνώμην ὡς ὑπὸ Κυρίου ἠλεημένος εἶναι πιστὸς de Peri tōn parthenōn echō ouk epitagēn Kyriou de didōmi gnōmēn hōs hypo Kyriou ēleēmenos einai pistos — NA/TR · 25
26
Because of the present crisis, I think [it] is good - for a man to remain as [he is].
διὰ τὴν ἐνεστῶσαν ἀνάγκην οὖν Νομίζω τοῦτο ὑπάρχειν καλὸν ὅτι καλὸν ἀνθρώπῳ τὸ εἶναι οὕτως dia tēn enestōsan anankēn oun Nomizō touto hyparchein kalon hoti kalon anthrōpō to einai houtōs — NA/TR · 26
27
Are you committed to a wife? {Do} not seek to be released. Are you free of [commitment]? {Do} not look for a wife.
δέδεσαι γυναικί μὴ ζήτει λύσιν λέλυσαι ἀπὸ γυναικός μὴ ζήτει γυναῖκα dedesai gynaiki mē zētei lysin lelysai apo gynaikos mē zētei gynaika — NA/TR · 27
28
But if you do marry, vvv you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, vvv she has not sinned. But [those who marry] will face troubles in [this] life, and I [want to] spare you [this].
δὲ ἐὰν καὶ γαμήσῃς οὐχ ἥμαρτες καὶ ἐὰν ἡ παρθένος γήμῃ οὐχ ἥμαρτεν δὲ οἱ τοιοῦτοι ἕξουσιν θλῖψιν τῇ σαρκὶ δὲ ἐγὼ φείδομαι ὑμῶν de ean kai gamēsēs ouch hēmartes kai ean hē parthenos gēmē ouch hēmarten de hoi toioutoi hexousin thlipsin tē sarki de egō pheidomai hymōn — NA/TR · 28
29
[What] I am saying, brothers, [is] that the time is short. From now on… those who have wives should live as if they had none;
δέ φημι ἀδελφοί Τοῦτο ὁ καιρὸς ἐστίν συνεσταλμένος τὸ λοιπὸν ἵνα καὶ οἱ ἔχοντες γυναῖκας ὦσιν ὡς ἔχοντες μὴ de phēmi adelphoi Touto ho kairos estin synestalmenos to loipon hina kai hoi echontes gynaikas ōsin hōs echontes mē — NA/TR · 29
30
- those who weep, as if vvv they [did not]; those who are joyful, as if vvv they were not; those who make a purchase, as if vvv they had nothing;
καὶ οἱ κλαίοντες ὡς μὴ κλαίοντες καὶ οἱ χαίροντες ὡς μὴ χαίροντες καὶ οἱ ἀγοράζοντες ὡς μὴ κατέχοντες kai hoi klaiontes hōs mē klaiontes kai hoi chairontes hōs mē chairontes kai hoi agorazontes hōs mē katechontes — NA/TR · 30
31
and those who use the things of [this] world, as if vvv not dependent on them. For this world [in its] present form is passing away.
καὶ οἱ χρώμενοι τὸν κόσμον ὡς μὴ καταχρώμενοι γὰρ τούτου τοῦ κόσμου τὸ σχῆμα παράγει kai hoi chrōmenoi ton kosmon hōs mē katachrōmenoi gar toutou tou kosmou to schēma paragei — NA/TR · 31
32
- I want you to be free from concern. The unmarried man is concerned about the [work] of the Lord, how he can please the Lord.
δὲ Θέλω ὑμᾶς εἶναι ἀμερίμνους ὁ ἄγαμος μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ Κυρίου πῶς ἀρέσῃ τῷ Κυρίῳ de Thelō hymas einai amerimnous ho agamos merimna ta tou Kyriou pōs aresē tō Kyriō — NA/TR · 32
33
But the married man is concerned about the [affairs] of this world, how he can please [his] wife,
δὲ ὁ γαμήσας μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ κόσμου πῶς ἀρέσῃ τῇ γυναικί de ho gamēsas merimna ta tou kosmou pōs aresē tē gynaiki — NA/TR · 33
34
and [his interests] are divided. The unmarried woman [or] virgin is concerned about the [work] of the Lord, how she can be holy in both body and spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the [affairs] of this world, how she can please [her] husband.
καὶ καὶ μεμέρισται ἡ ἡ ἄγαμος γυνὴ καὶ ἡ παρθένος μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ Κυρίου ἵνα ᾖ ἁγία τῷ καὶ σώματι καὶ τῷ πνεύματι δὲ ἡ γαμήσασα μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ κόσμου πῶς ἀρέσῃ τῷ ἀνδρί kai kai memeristai hē hē agamos gynē kai hē parthenos merimna ta tou Kyriou hina ē hagia tō kai sōmati kai tō pneumati de hē gamēsasa merimna ta tou kosmou pōs aresē tō andri — NA/TR · 34
35
- I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict… you, but in order to promote proper decorum and undivided devotion to the Lord.
δὲ λέγω Τοῦτο πρὸς ὑμῶν αὐτῶν τὸ σύμφορον οὐχ ἵνα ἐπιβάλω βρόχον ὑμῖν ἀλλὰ πρὸς τὸ εὔσχημον καὶ ἀπερισπάστως εὐπάρεδρον τῷ Κυρίῳ de legō Touto pros hymōn autōn to symphoron ouch hina epibalō brochon hymin alla pros to euschēmon kai aperispastōs euparedron tō Kyriō — NA/TR · 35
36
However, if someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his betrothed, [and] if she is beyond [her] youth and [they] ought vvv [to marry], let him do as he wishes; vvv he is not sinning; they should get married.
δέ Εἰ τις νομίζει ἀσχημονεῖν ἐπὶ αὐτοῦ τὴν παρθένον ἐὰν ᾖ ὑπέρακμος καὶ ὀφείλει γίνεσθαι οὕτως ποιείτω ὃ θέλει οὐχ ἁμαρτάνει γαμείτωσαν de Ei tis nomizei aschēmonein epi autou tēn parthenon ean ē hyperakmos kai opheilei ginesthai houtōs poieitō ho thelei ouch hamartanei gameitōsan — NA/TR · 36
37
But the [man who] [is] firmly established in his heart [and] under no constraint, with control over [his] will and resolve in [his] heart [not to marry] the virgin, he will do well.
δὲ ὃς ἑδραῖος ἕστηκεν ἐν αὐτοῦ τῇ καρδίᾳ ἔχων μὴ ἀνάγκην δὲ ἔχει ἐξουσίαν περὶ τοῦ ἰδίου θελήματος καὶ κέκρικεν τοῦτο ἐν τῇ ἰδίᾳ καρδίᾳ τηρεῖν ἑαυτοῦ τὴν παρθένον ποιήσει καλῶς de hos hedraios hestēken en autou tē kardia echōn mē anankēn de echei exousian peri tou idiou thelēmatos kai kekriken touto en tē idia kardia tērein heautou tēn parthenon poiēsei kalōs — NA/TR · 37
38
So then…, he who [marries] the virgin does well, but he who {does} not marry [her] does even better.
Ὥστε καὶ ὁ γαμίζων τὴν ἑαυτοῦ παρθένον ποιεῖ καλῶς καὶ ὁ μὴ γαμίζων ποιήσει κρεῖσσον Hōste kai ho gamizōn tēn heautou parthenon poiei kalōs kai ho mē gamizōn poiēsei kreisson — NA/TR · 38
39
A wife is bound to her husband as long as… he lives. But if [her] husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as [he] belongs to [the] Lord.
Γυνὴ δέδεται αὐτῆς ὁ ἀνὴρ ἐφ’ ὅσον χρόνον ζῇ δὲ ἐὰν ὁ ἀνήρ κοιμηθῇ ἐστὶν ἐλευθέρα γαμηθῆναι ᾧ θέλει μόνον ἐν Κυρίῳ Gynē dedetai autēs ho anēr eph’ hoson chronon zē de ean ho anēr koimēthē estin eleuthera gamēthēnai hō thelei monon en Kyriō — NA/TR · 39
40
In my judgment, however, she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have [the] Spirit of God.
κατὰ ἐμὴν τὴν γνώμην δέ ἐστιν μακαριωτέρα ἐὰν μείνῃ οὕτως δὲ δοκῶ κἀγὼ ἔχειν Πνεῦμα Θεοῦ kata emēn tēn gnōmēn de estin makariōtera ean meinē houtōs de dokō kagō echein Pneuma Theou — NA/TR · 40