1 Corinthians 7:1
New International Version
Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”

New Living Translation
Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to abstain from sexual relations.

English Standard Version
Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”

Berean Standard Bible
Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good to abstain from sexual relations.

Berean Literal Bible
Now concerning the things about which you wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

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

New King James Version
Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

New American Standard Bible
Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.

NASB 1995
Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.

NASB 1977
Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.

Amplified Bible
Now as to the matters of which you wrote: It is good (beneficial, advantageous) for a man not to touch a woman [outside marriage].

Christian Standard Bible
Now in response to the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now in response to the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have relations with a woman.”

American Standard Version
Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

Contemporary English Version
Now I will answer the questions you asked in your letter. You asked, "Is it best for people not to marry?"

English Revised Version
Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Now, concerning the things that you wrote about: It's good for men not to get married.

Good News Translation
Now, to deal with the matters you wrote about. A man does well not to marry.

International Standard Version
Now about what you asked: "Is it advisable for a man not to marry?"

Majority Standard Bible
Now for the matters about which you wrote me: It is good to abstain from sexual relations.

NET Bible
Now with regard to the issues you wrote about: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman."

New Heart English Bible
Now concerning the things about which you wrote: it is good for a man not to touch a woman.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now concerning the things of which ye wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

Weymouth New Testament
I now deal with the subjects mentioned in your letter. It is well for a man to abstain altogether from marriage.

World English Bible
Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And concerning the things of which you wrote to me: [it is] good for a man not to touch a woman,

Berean Literal Bible
Now concerning the things about which you wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

Young's Literal Translation
And concerning the things of which ye wrote to me: good it is for a man not to touch a woman,

Smith's Literal Translation
And of what ye wrote to me: good for a man not to touch a woman.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
NOW concerning the thing whereof you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

New American Bible
Now in regard to the matters about which you wrote: “It is a good thing for a man not to touch a woman,”

New Revised Standard Version
Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is well for a man not to touch a woman.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
NOW concerning the things which you wrote to me: It is proper for a husband not to have intimacy with his wife at times.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But concerning those things of which you wrote to me, it is good for a man not to touch a woman,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.

Godbey New Testament
But concerning those things about which you wrote to me: That it is good for a man not to receive a wife:

Haweis New Testament
NOW with regard to those things concerning which ye have written unto me, it were good for a man not to touch a woman.

Mace New Testament
Now as to the question you writ to me about; "whether it is best for a man not to marry?"

Weymouth New Testament
I now deal with the subjects mentioned in your letter. It is well for a man to abstain altogether from marriage.

Worrell New Testament
Now concerning the things of which ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman;

Worsley New Testament
Now as to the things concerning which ye wrote to me: it were good for a man not to touch a woman.
Audio Bible



Context
Principles of Marriage
1Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good to abstain from sexual relations. 2But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.…

Cross References
Genesis 2:18
The LORD God also said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.”

Matthew 19:10-12
His disciples said to Him, “If this is the case between a man and his wife, it is better not to marry.” / “Not everyone can accept this word,” He replied, “but only those to whom it has been given. / For there are eunuchs who were born that way; others were made that way by men; and still others live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

Proverbs 5:15-19
Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well. / Why should your springs flow in the streets, your streams of water in the public squares? / Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. ...

Ephesians 5:31-33
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” / This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church. / Nevertheless, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Genesis 1:27-28
So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. / God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every creature that crawls upon the earth.”

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.

Song of Solomon 4:9-10
You have captured my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your neck. / How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! Your love is much better than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than all spices.

Matthew 5:27-28
You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ / But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; / each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, / not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;

Proverbs 18:22
He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.

Colossians 3:18-19
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. / Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

Genesis 24:67
And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death.

1 Peter 3:1-7
Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives / when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. / Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, ...

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. / For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up! / Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one keep warm alone? ...

Romans 7:2-3
For instance, a married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. / So then, if she is joined to another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.


Treasury of Scripture

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

good.

1 Corinthians 7:8,26,27,37,38
I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I…

Matthew 19:10,11
His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry…

touch.

Genesis 20:6
And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

Ruth 2:9
Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.

Proverbs 6:29
So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.

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1 Corinthians 7
1. He discusses marriage;
4. showing it to be a remedy against sinful desires,
10. and that the bond thereof ought not lightly to be dissolved.
20. Every man must be content with his vocation.
25. Virginity wherefore to be embraced;
35. and for what respects we may either marry, or abstain from marrying.














Now for the matters you wrote about
This phrase indicates a shift in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Corinthians, where he begins addressing specific questions or issues that the Corinthian church had previously communicated to him. The Greek word for "matters" (περὶ δὲ ὧν ἐγράψατε) suggests topics or concerns that were significant to the early Christian community. Historically, Corinth was a city known for its moral challenges, and the church there faced many questions about how to live a Christian life amidst such a culture. This phrase sets the stage for a direct and practical response from Paul, emphasizing the importance of addressing real-life issues within the church.

It is good
The Greek word used here for "good" (καλὸν) can also mean "beneficial" or "advantageous." Paul is not making a moral judgment against marriage or sexual relations but is highlighting a particular state of being that can be advantageous for certain individuals, especially in the context of serving God without distraction. This reflects a broader biblical principle that different life situations can be used for God's glory, and what is "good" can vary depending on one's calling and circumstances.

for a man
The term "man" (ἀνθρώπῳ) in this context is often understood to refer to humanity in general, not exclusively males. This reflects the inclusive nature of Paul's advice, which applies to both men and women within the church. The use of this term underscores the universal applicability of the guidance Paul is about to give, suggesting that the principles he outlines are relevant to all believers, regardless of gender.

not to have sexual relations
The phrase "not to have sexual relations" (μὴ ἅπτεσθαι γυναικός) is a euphemism for abstaining from sexual activity. The Greek verb ἅπτεσθαι can mean "to touch" or "to cling to," and in this context, it is understood as a reference to sexual intimacy. Paul is addressing a specific question about celibacy and its role in the Christian life. This reflects the early church's grappling with issues of sexuality and holiness, and Paul's response is both practical and spiritual, recognizing the value of celibacy for those who are called to it.

with a woman
The mention of "a woman" (γυναικός) highlights the relational aspect of the discussion. In the cultural and historical context of Corinth, relationships between men and women were often fraught with challenges, including issues of immorality and idolatry. By addressing this directly, Paul acknowledges the complexities of human relationships and the need for guidance in navigating them in a way that honors God. This phrase also points to the broader biblical teaching on the sanctity of marriage and the appropriate context for sexual relations, which is within the covenant of marriage.

Verses 1-40. - Answers to the inquiries of the Corinthians respecting marriage. Verses 1-11. - The lawfulness of marriage, and its duties. Verse 1. - Now concerning. This refers to questions of the Corinthians (comp. 1 Corinthians 7:25; 1 Corinthians 8:1; 1 Corinthians 12:1). It is good for a man not to touch a woman. The word used is not agathon, good, but kalon, fair; "an excellent thing." In ver. 26 he limits the word by the clause, "good for the present necessity." There is no limitation here, and it is probable that St. Paul is quoting the actual words of the letter which he had received from Corinth. There had sprung up among them some antinomians, who, perhaps by perverting his own teaching or that of Apollos, had made liberty a cloak of lasciviousness. In indignant reaction against such laxity, others, perhaps, with Essene proclivities, had been led to disparage matrimony as involving an inevitable stain. Gnosticism, and the spirit which led to it, oscillated between the two extremes of asceticism and uncleanness. Both extremes were grounded on the assertion that matter is inherently evil. Ascetic Gnostics, therefore, strove to destroy by severity every carnal impulse; antinomian Gnostics argued that the life of the spirit was so utterly independent of the flesh that what the flesh did was of no consequence. We find the germs of Gnostic heresy long before the name appeared. Theoretically, St. Paul inclines to the ascetic view, not in the abstract, but in view of the near advent of Christ, and of the cares, distractions, and even trials which marriage involved in days of struggle and persecution. Yet his wisdom is shown in the cautious moderation with which he expresses himself. The tone of the letter written by Gregory the Great to Augustine with reference to similar inquiries about Saxon converts is very different. The example of St. Paul should have shown the mediaeval moralists and even the later Fathers how wrong it is "to give themselves airs of certainty on points where certainty is not to be had." Not to touch a woman. St. Paul means generally "not to marry" (comp. Genesis 20:4 [LXX.]). Celibacy under the then existing conditions of the Christian world is, he admits, in itself an honourable and morally salutary thing, though, for the majority, marriage may be a positive duty. He is not dreaming of the nominal marriages of mediaeval ascetics, for he assumes and directs that all who marry should live in conjugal union.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Now
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

for
Περὶ (Peri)
Preposition
Strong's 4012: From the base of peran; properly, through, i.e. Around; figuratively with respect to; used in various applications, of place, cause or time.

the matters
ὧν (hōn)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Neuter Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

you wrote about:
ἐγράψατε (egrapsate)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1125: A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe.

[It is] good
καλὸν (kalon)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 2570: Properly, beautiful, but chiefly good, i.e. Valuable or virtuous.

to abstain from sexual relations.
ἅπτεσθαι (haptesthai)
Verb - Present Infinitive Middle
Strong's 680: Prop: I fasten to; I lay hold of, touch, know carnally. Reflexive of hapto; properly, to attach oneself to, i.e. To touch.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 7:1 Now concerning the things about which you (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 6:20
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