What does 1 Corinthians 7 mean?

The main focus of 1 Corinthians 7 can be found in verse 17 where the Apostle Paul says “Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches.” 

1 Corinthians 7 also answers questions such as what does God say about marriage? What does God say about divorce? What is the purpose of being single?

This commentary on 1 Corinthians 7 discusses how someone who has come to faith in Jesus Christ is not required to change their position or status in regards to marriage, slavery and circumcision. 

This chapter doesn’t mean that you don’t have to change your evil sinful nature and characteristics, as some would argue. We still have to get rid of our love of money, jealousy, envy, hate, competitiveness, deceit, etc. Paul is not saying to stay as we are in these ways.

Let’s break down the main verses to examine them further.

1 Corinthians 7 NIV (New International Version)

1 Corinthians 7: 1-2 Concerning Married Life

Paul is stating it is better for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman, meaning to be celibate. However, due to the sexual immorality that comes from celibacy, Paul is saying that each man should only have sexual relations with his own wife and each woman should only have sexual relations with her own husband.

1 Corinthians 7:3 – The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband.

Due to the limitation of monogamy, Paul is stressing the importance that neither husband nor wife should sexually deny each other.

1 Corinthians 7:4 – The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.

Contrary to the world’s beliefs, Paul is stating that your body is not your own, but rather under your partner’s authority. This means that you cannot sexually deny your partner.

1 Corinthians 7:5 – Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Paul is stating that neither partner should ever sexually deny the other partner. The only exception to this would be, if as a couple, you wish to temporarily cease sexual relations for a time to devote yourselves to prayer. However, this must be a mutual decision and not only from one partner (because he is aware of how Satan would use this opportunity to tempt us to sin).

1 Corinthians 7:6 – I say this as a concession, not as a command. 

Paul is offering this concession as an option and not a command. He is not saying this should or even has to be done, but rather it is a concession. Meaning, if both partners feel this way, then Paul agrees with the line of reasoning and acknowledges it as biblical.

1 Corinthians 7:7 – I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

Staying unmarried is a gift and Paul expands upon this further in verse 33 when he explains that a married man’s (husband) interests have to be divided between the Lord and his wife. An unmarried man can be concerned about the Lord’s affairs only. Paul considers this kind of dedication, to only be concerned about Jesus’ teachings, to be a gift and not the world’s affairs (how he can please his wife).

1 Corinthians 7: 8 & 9 – Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 

Verse 8 and 9 recommends that a widow and a single person should remain unmarried and this is expanded upon further in verse 25, 32 & 35. Paul’s only solution to a burning sexual desire, is marriage. And by marriage, he means one where there is no sexual denial.

1 Corinthians 7:10 – To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.

In verse 10, other translations use the word “divorce” in place of “separate”. If both husband and wife are believers, a wife cannot divorce her husband for any reason. Only a husband can divorce a wife (due to infidelity).

Matthew 5:32 – “But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery”.

As you can see, this scripture is only written for men as it states that a man who divorces his wife (unless she has been unfaithful), causes her to commit adultery.

However, for a woman, the scriptures state in verse 10 that “I give this command: not I, but the Lord: a wife must not divorce her husband.” A wife is only freed from the bondage of marriage through widowhood (when her husband dies).

Matthew 5 also states that no man can marry a divorced woman, ever, under any circumstances. Remarriage for a woman who is divorced is impossible, until her divorced husband dies; making her a widow. At this point, she would be free from the bondage of marriage and can remarry. But in this same scenario, this woman should not have become divorced in the first place; which is against the Lord’s commandment. 

1 Corinthians 7:11 – 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.

Verse 11 clearly indicates that if a husband and wife have divorced, the wife must stay unmarried. The couple can get back together as long as the wife has not slept with another man during their separation.

In verse 11, Paul is not saying that wives can divorce their husbands. What he is saying is if a wife disobeys and divorces anyway, she should not compound her sin by adding adultery also to divorce.

Romans 7: 1 to 3 also states “Now, dear brothers and sisters a—you who are familiar with the law—don’t you know that the law applies only while a person is living? 2 For example, when a woman marries, the law binds her to her husband as long as he is alive. But if he dies, the laws of marriage no longer apply to her. 3 So while her husband is alive, she would be committing adultery if she marries another man. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law and does not commit adultery when she remarries.” 

For a husband, it is clear that except for a wife’s infidelity, there is no acceptable reason for divorce, period.

1 Corinthians 7:12 & 13 – To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him.

A follower of Christ cannot divorce their unbelieving spouse, unless for a husband, if his wife has had sexual relations outside of the marriage.

As it says in Matthew 5:32 – “But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery”.

1 Corinthians 7:14 – For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

Another translation for verse 14 says “For the believing wife brings holiness to her marriage, and the believing husband brings holiness to his marriage. Otherwise, your children would not be holy, but now they are holy.”

The believer brings holiness to the marriage in order for the children to be sanctified. The children have the opportunity to follow the believing parents’ faith in Christ.

This verse does not mean that the unbelieving spouse is made holy as it is explained further in the verse 16 when it says “how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? “

1 Corinthians 7:15 & 16 – But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

If your spouse is not a follower of Jesus and he/she decides to divorce you, then you should agree to it.

You are no longer bound to that person in the sense of having to stay married to that person, but you cannot get remarried (except for the husband if the wife has committed adultery).

As it says in Matthew 5:32 “But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.”

1 Corinthians 7:17 – Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.

Do not change your marital status just because you have come to Jesus Christ. If you were married (even if it is to an unbeliever), stay married. If you are a single man and not interested in marriage, this is a gift which is preferable, as you will be able to devote more time to pursuing the Lord’s teachings instead of dividing your time between the Lord and your wife.

1 Corinthians 7:18 – Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts.20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

If you are circumcised or not, don’t try to change that.  Keeping God’s commandments is what counts.

1 Corinthians 7:21 & 22 – 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.

If you literally are a slave, then don’t attempt to be free just because you became a Christian. If however, you are given the opportunity to become free, you should do so. Whether you are called to faith as a slave or as a free man, when Jesus frees you from sin, you become a slave to Christ. You will now follow Jesus’ interpretation and no one else’s; not even your own, making you his slave and free from sin.

1 Corinthians 7:23 & 24 – You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

Now that you have come to Christ, do not follow someone else’s interpretation of the word of God. Follow only Jesus’ interpretation. Verse 23 says we were bought at a price. Jesus sacrificed his life to teach us the true interpretation of God’s word. Other interpretations of the word of God are full of iniquity and compromise. When you follow someone else’s interpretation, you become their slave and a slave to sin.

1 Corinthians 7:25-28 – 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. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

It is not a sin to be married or to stay single. The bible says it is better to be single, but if you come to Christ and decide to get married afterwards, it is not a sin. However, Paul warns of the difficulties that marriage brings. Divorce is not an option and neither is remarriage. Marriage is a sacred commitment between a man, woman and God, it should be regarded as such. It should be carefully considered before being entered into.

1 Corinthians 7:29 – 29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 

A man should develop his understanding of the word of God without the influence of his wife, so as not to compromise or twist its true meaning. He should weigh up the word of God and its meaning as if he were single and had no wife. According to the Bible, women are expected to honor and follow either their father’s way before marriage (as long as they live in their father’s house) or their husband’s interpretation after marriage. Paul does not say that wives should live as if they do not have husbands. The feminist movement has since skewed this but it is not biblical.

1 Corinthians 7:30-31 – those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

Psalm 90:12 says, Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom“

Psalm 39:4 says, “LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. “

1 Corinthians 7:32-33 – 32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife—

When a man considers how to please his wife while developing his understanding of the word of God, he divides his interests and compromises the word. He should act as if he had no wife in this instance, and only search for the truth without his wife in mind.

1 Corinthians 7:34 – and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 

When a wife is concerned about her husband’s perspective of the word of God, she is not dividing her interests. She is meant to obey her husband and follow his philosophies and understanding of the word of God; not her own, her friends, parents or another man’s. The bible refers to a wife who only follows her husband’s way, as a virtuous woman.

1 Corinthians 7:35-39 – 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. 36 If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.

39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.

A wife is not allowed to remarry, even if her husband has committed adultery. She can only remarry once her husband dies but she must only marry a Christian man who is in the Lord, and not an unbeliever.

However, a husband can remarry if there has been adultery on the wife’s behalf, or if his wife dies. See Matthew 5:32 – “But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery”.

1 Corinthians 7:40 – In my judgment, she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

Paul is saying this because a widow at an old age is better off staying single so that she can devote the rest of her life to following Christ. If she were to remarry, she would have to learn the word of God through her new husband and adopt his interpretation.

A young widow however, is advised to remarry as her physical desires will overpower her devotion to Christ.

1 Timothy 5:11 & 14 – “As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. 14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.“

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