1 Corinthians 7:1-24 - Concerning Christian Marriage

¹ Now about what you asked: "Is it advisable for a man not to marry?" ² Because sexual immorality is so rampant, every man should have his own wife, and every woman should have her own husband. ³ A husband should fulfill his obligation to his wife, and a wife should do the same for her husband. ⁴ A wife does not have authority over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way, a husband doesn't have authority over his own body, but his wife does. ⁵ Do not withhold yourselves from each other unless you agree to do so just for a set time, in order to devote yourselves to prayer. Then you should come together again so that Satan does not tempt you through your lack of self-control. ⁶ But I say this as a concession, not as a command. ⁷ I would like everyone to be unmarried, like I am. However, each person has a special gift from God, one this and another that.

⁸ I say to those who are unmarried, especially to widows: It is good for them to remain like me. ⁹ However, if they cannot control themselves, they should get married, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

¹⁰ To married people I give this command (not really I, but the Lord): A wife must not leave her husband. ¹¹ But if she does leave him, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. Likewise, a husband must not abandon his wife. ¹² I (not the Lord) say to the rest of you: If a brother has a wife who is an unbeliever and she is willing to live with him, he must not abandon her. ¹³ And if a woman has a husband who is an unbeliever and he is willing to live with her, she must not abandon him. ¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified because of her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. ¹⁵ But if the unbelieving partner leaves, let him go. In such cases the brother or sister is not under obligation. God has called you to live in peace. ¹⁶ Wife, you might be able to save your husband. Husband, you might be able to save your wife.

¹⁷ Nevertheless, everyone should live the life that the Lord gave him and to which God called him. This is my rule in all the churches. ¹⁸ Was anyone circumcised when he was called? He should not try to change that. Was anyone uncircumcised when he was called? He should not get circumcised. ¹⁹ Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but obeying God's commandments is everything. ²⁰ Everyone should stay in the same condition in which he was called. ²¹ Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let that bother you. Of course, if you have a chance to become free, take advantage of the opportunity. ²² For the slave who has been called to belong to the Lord is the Lord's free person. In the same way, the free person who has been called is the Messiah's slave. ²³ You were bought for a price. Stop becoming slaves of people. ²⁴ Brothers, everyone should stay in the same condition in which he was called by God.