Principles of Marriage

1  Περὶ (Concerning) δὲ (now) ὧν (the things of which) ἐγράψατε (you⁺ wrote), καλὸν (It is good) ἀνθρώπῳ (for a man) γυναικὸς (a woman) μὴ (not) ἅπτεσθαι (to touch)· 2  διὰ (Because of) δὲ (however) τὰς (the) πορνείας (sexual immorality) ἕκαστος (each man) τὴν (the own) ἑαυτοῦ (of him) γυναῖκα (wife) ἐχέτω (let have), καὶ (and) ἑκάστη (each woman) τὸν (her) ἴδιον (own) ἄνδρα (husband) ἐχέτω (let have).

3  Τῇ (To the) γυναικὶ (wife) ὁ (the) ἀνὴρ (husband) τὴν (the) ὀφειλὴν (duty) ἀποδιδότω (let render), ὁμοίως (likewise) δὲ (now) καὶ (also) ἡ (the) γυνὴ (wife) τῷ (to the) ἀνδρί (husband). 4  ἡ (The) γυνὴ (wife) τοῦ (her) ἰδίου (own) σώματος (body) οὐκ (not) ἐξουσιάζει (has authority over) ἀλλὰ (but) ὁ (the) ἀνήρ (husband)· ὁμοίως (likewise) δὲ (now) καὶ (also) ὁ (the) ἀνὴρ (husband) τοῦ (his) ἰδίου (own) σώματος (body) οὐκ (not) ἐξουσιάζει (has authority over) ἀλλὰ (but) ἡ (the) γυνή (wife).

5  Μὴ (Not) ἀποστερεῖτε (deprive) ἀλλήλους (one another), εἰ (if) μήτι (not) ἂν (-) ἐκ (by) συμφώνου (mutual agreement) πρὸς (for) καιρὸν (a time) ἵνα (so that) σχολάσητε (you⁺ might be at leisure) τῇ (-) προσευχῇ (for prayer) καὶ (and) πάλιν (again) ἐπὶ (together) τὸ (the) αὐτὸ (same) ἦτε (may be), ἵνα (so that) μὴ (not) πειράζῃ (may tempt) ὑμᾶς (you⁺) ὁ (-) Σατανᾶς (Satan) διὰ (through) τὴν (the) ἀκρασίαν (lack of self-control) ὑμῶν (of you⁺). 6  τοῦτο (This) δὲ (now) λέγω (I say) κατὰ (by way of) συνγνώμην (concession), οὐ (not) κατ’ (by way of) ἐπιταγήν (command). 7  θέλω (I wish) δὲ (however) πάντας (all) ἀνθρώπους (men) εἶναι (to be) ὡς (like) καὶ (even) ἐμαυτόν (myself)· ἀλλὰ (But) ἕκαστος (each) ἴδιον (his own) ἔχει (has) χάρισμα (gift) ἐκ (from) Θεοῦ (God), ὁ (the one) μὲν (indeed) οὕτως (thus), ὁ (the one) δὲ (however) οὕτως (thus).

8  Λέγω (I say) δὲ (now) τοῖς (to the) ἀγάμοις (unmarried) καὶ (and) ταῖς (to the) χήραις (widows), καλὸν (it is good) αὐτοῖς (for them) ἐὰν (if) μείνωσιν (they should remain) ὡς (as) κἀγώ (even I)· 9  εἰ (If) δὲ (however) οὐκ (not) ἐγκρατεύονται (they have self-control), γαμησάτωσαν (let them marry)· κρεῖττον (better) γάρ (for) ἐστιν (it is) γαμῆσαι (to marry) ἢ (than) πυροῦσθαι (to burn).

10  Τοῖς (To those) δὲ (now) γεγαμηκόσιν (having married) παραγγέλλω (I command), οὐκ (not) ἐγὼ (I) ἀλλὰ (but) ὁ (the) Κύριος (Lord), γυναῖκα (A wife) ἀπὸ (from) ἀνδρὸς (a husband) μὴ (not) χωρισθῆναι (is to be separated),— 11  ἐὰν (if) δὲ (however) καὶ (indeed) χωρισθῇ (she might be separated), μενέτω (let her remain) ἄγαμος (unmarried) ἢ (or) τῷ (to the) ἀνδρὶ (husband) καταλλαγήτω (be reconciled),—καὶ (and) ἄνδρα (a husband) γυναῖκα (a wife) μὴ (not) ἀφιέναι (is to send away).

12  Τοῖς (To the) δὲ (now) λοιποῖς (rest) λέγω (I say) ἐγώ (I), οὐχ (not) ὁ (the) Κύριος (Lord)· εἴ (If) τις (any) ἀδελφὸς (brother) γυναῖκα (a wife) ἔχει (has) ἄπιστον (unbelieving), καὶ (and) αὕτη (she) συνευδοκεῖ (consents) οἰκεῖν (to dwell) μετ’ (with) αὐτοῦ (him), μὴ (not) ἀφιέτω (let him not send away) αὐτήν (her)· 13  καὶ (And) γυνὴ (a woman) εἴ (if) τις (any) ἔχει (has) ἄνδρα (a husband) ἄπιστον (unbelieving), καὶ (and) οὗτος (he) συνευδοκεῖ (consents) οἰκεῖν (to dwell) μετ’ (with) αὐτῆς (her), μὴ (not) ἀφιέτω (let her send away) τὸν (the) ἄνδρα (husband). 14  ἡγίασται (Is sanctified) γὰρ (for) ὁ (the) ἀνὴρ (husband) ὁ (-) ἄπιστος (unbelieving) ἐν (in) τῇ (the) γυναικί (wife), καὶ (and) ἡγίασται (is sanctified) ἡ (the) γυνὴ (wife) ἡ (-) ἄπιστος (unbelieving) ἐν (in) τῷ (the) ἀδελφῷ (brother)· ἐπεὶ (else) ἄρα (then) τὰ (the) τέκνα (children) ὑμῶν (of you⁺) ἀκάθαρτά (unclean) ἐστιν (are), νῦν (now) δὲ (however) ἅγιά (holy) ἐστιν (they are).

15  Εἰ (If) δὲ (however) ὁ (the) ἄπιστος (unbeliever) χωρίζεται (separates himself), χωριζέσθω (let him separate himself)· οὐ (not) δεδούλωται (is bound) ὁ (the) ἀδελφὸς (brother) ἢ (or) ἡ (the) ἀδελφὴ (sister) ἐν (in) τοῖς (-) τοιούτοις (such cases)· ἐν (in) δὲ (however) εἰρήνῃ (peace) κέκληκεν (has called) ὑμᾶς (you⁺) ὁ (-) Θεός (God). 16  τί (How) γὰρ (for) οἶδας (do you know), γύναι (wife), εἰ (if) τὸν (the) ἄνδρα (husband) σώσεις (you will save)? ἢ (Or) τί (how) οἶδας (do you know), ἄνερ (husband), εἰ (if) τὴν (the) γυναῖκα (wife) σώσεις (you will save)?

Live Your Calling

17  Εἰ (If) μὴ (not) ἑκάστῳ (to each) ὡς (as) ἐμέρισεν (apportioned) ὁ (the) Κύριος (Lord), ἕκαστον (each) ὡς (as) κέκληκεν (has called) ὁ (-) Θεός (God), οὕτως (thus) περιπατείτω (let him walk). καὶ (And) οὕτως (thus) ἐν (in) ταῖς (the) ἐκκλησίαις (churches) πάσαις (all) διατάσσομαι (I direct). 18  περιτετμημένος (Having been circumcised) τις (anyone) ἐκλήθη (was called)? μὴ (Not) ἐπισπάσθω (let him become uncircumcised)· ἐν (In) ἀκροβυστίᾳ (uncircumcision) κέκληταί (has been called) τις (anyone)? μὴ (Not) περιτεμνέσθω (let him be circumcised). 19  ἡ (-) περιτομὴ (Circumcision) οὐδέν (nothing) ἐστιν (is), καὶ (and) ἡ (-) ἀκροβυστία (uncircumcision) οὐδέν (nothing) ἐστιν (is), ἀλλὰ (but) τήρησις (keeping) ἐντολῶν (of the commandments) Θεοῦ (of God).

20  Ἕκαστος (Each) ἐν (in) τῇ (the) κλήσει (calling) ᾗ (in which) ἐκλήθη (he has been called), ἐν (in) ταύτῃ (this) μενέτω (let him remain). 21  δοῦλος (While a slave) ἐκλήθης (were you called)? μή (not) σοι (to you) μελέτω (let it be a care)· ἀλλ’ (but) εἰ (if) καὶ (also) δύνασαι (you have power) ἐλεύθερος (free) γενέσθαι (to become), μᾶλλον (rather) χρῆσαι (use it). 22  ὁ (The one) γὰρ (for) ἐν (in) Κυρίῳ (the Lord) κληθεὶς (having been called) δοῦλος (while a slave) ἀπελεύθερος (a freedman) Κυρίου (of the Lord) ἐστίν (is)· ὁμοίως (likewise) ὁ (the one) ἐλεύθερος (while free) κληθεὶς (having been called) δοῦλός (a slave) ἐστιν (is) Χριστοῦ (of Christ).

23  Τιμῆς (With a price) ἠγοράσθητε (you⁺ were bought)· μὴ (not) γίνεσθε (become) δοῦλοι (slaves) ἀνθρώπων (of men). 24  ἕκαστος (Each) ἐν (in) ᾧ (that in that) ἐκλήθη (he was called), ἀδελφοί (brothers), ἐν (in) τούτῳ (this) μενέτω (let him remain) παρὰ (with) Θεῷ (God).

The Unmarried and Widowed

25  Περὶ (Concerning) δὲ (now) τῶν (the) παρθένων (virgins) ἐπιταγὴν (a commandment) Κυρίου (of the Lord) οὐκ (not) ἔχω (I have), γνώμην (judgment) δὲ (however) δίδωμι (I give) ὡς (as one) ἠλεημένος (having received mercy) ὑπὸ (from) Κυρίου (the Lord) πιστὸς (trustworthy) εἶναι (to be). 26  Νομίζω (I think) οὖν (therefore) τοῦτο (this) καλὸν (good) ὑπάρχειν (is) διὰ (because of) τὴν (the) ἐνεστῶσαν (present) ἀνάγκην (necessity), ὅτι (that) καλὸν (it is good) ἀνθρώπῳ (for a man) τὸ (-) οὕτως (thus) εἶναι (to be). 27  δέδεσαι (Have you been bound) γυναικί (to a wife)? μὴ (Not) ζήτει (seek) λύσιν (to be loosed)· λέλυσαι (Have you been loosed) ἀπὸ (from) γυναικός (a wife)? μὴ (Not) ζήτει (seek) γυναῖκα (a wife). 28  ἐὰν (If) δὲ (however) καὶ (also) γαμήσῃς (you shall have married), οὐχ (not) ἥμαρτες (you sinned), καὶ (and) ἐὰν (if) γήμῃ (shall have married) ἡ (the) παρθένος (virgin), οὐχ (not) ἥμαρτεν (she sinned)· θλῖψιν (tribulation) δὲ (however) τῇ (in the) σαρκὶ (flesh) ἕξουσιν (will have) οἱ (-) τοιοῦτοι (such), ἐγὼ (I) δὲ (now) ὑμῶν (you⁺) φείδομαι (am sparing).

29  Τοῦτο (This) δέ (now) φημι (I say), ἀδελφοί (brothers), ὁ (The) καιρὸς (season) συνεσταλμένος (shortened) ἐστίν (is)· τὸ (-) λοιπὸν (From now on) ἵνα (that) καὶ (both) οἱ (those) ἔχοντες (having) γυναῖκας (wives) ὡς (as) μὴ (not) ἔχοντες (having) ὦσιν (should be), 30  καὶ (and) οἱ (those) κλαίοντες (weeping) ὡς (as) μὴ (not) κλαίοντες (weeping), καὶ (and) οἱ (those) χαίροντες (rejoicing) ὡς (as) μὴ (not) χαίροντες (rejoicing), καὶ (and) οἱ (those) ἀγοράζοντες (buying) ὡς (as) μὴ (not) κατέχοντες (possessing), 31  καὶ (and) οἱ (those) χρώμενοι (using) τὸν (the) κόσμον (world) ὡς (as) μὴ (not) καταχρώμενοι (using it up)· παράγει (Is passing away) γὰρ (for) τὸ (the) σχῆμα (form) τοῦ (of the) κόσμου (world) τούτου (this).

32  Θέλω (I want) δὲ (now) ὑμᾶς (you⁺) ἀμερίμνους (without concern) εἶναι (to be). ὁ (The) ἄγαμος (unmarried man) μεριμνᾷ (is concerned for) τὰ (the things) τοῦ (of the) Κυρίου (Lord), πῶς (how) ἀρέσῃ (he should please) τῷ (the) Κυρίῳ (Lord)· 33  ὁ (the one) δὲ (however) γαμήσας (being married) μεριμνᾷ (is concerned for) τὰ (the things) τοῦ (of the) κόσμου (world), πῶς (how) ἀρέσῃ (he should please) τῇ (the) γυναικί (wife), 34  καὶ (and) μεμέρισται (is divided). καὶ (And) ἡ (the) γυνὴ (woman) ἡ (-) ἄγαμος (unmarried) καὶ (and) ἡ (-) παρθένος (virgin) μεριμνᾷ (is concerned for) τὰ (the things) τοῦ (of the) Κυρίου (Lord), ἵνα (that) ᾖ (she may be) ἁγία (holy) καὶ (both) τῷ (in) σώματι (body) καὶ (and) τῷ (in) πνεύματι (spirit)· ἡ (the one) δὲ (however) γαμήσασα (being married) μεριμνᾷ (is concerned for) τὰ (the things) τοῦ (of the) κόσμου (world), πῶς (how) ἀρέσῃ (she should please) τῷ (the) ἀνδρί (husband).

35  Τοῦτο (This) δὲ (now) πρὸς (for) τὸ (the) ὑμῶν (of you⁺) αὐτῶν (yourselves) σύμφορον (profit) λέγω (I say), οὐχ (not) ἵνα (so that) βρόχον (a restraint) ὑμῖν (you⁺) ἐπιβάλω (I might place upon), ἀλλὰ (but) πρὸς (for) τὸ (what) εὔσχημον (is seemly) καὶ (and) εὐπάρεδρον (devoted) τῷ (to the) Κυρίῳ (Lord) ἀπερισπάστως (without distraction).

36  Εἰ (If) δέ (however) τις (anyone) ἀσχημονεῖν (to be acting unbecomingly) ἐπὶ (to) τὴν (the) παρθένον (virgin) αὐτοῦ (of him) νομίζει (supposes), ἐὰν (if) ᾖ (she is) ὑπέρακμος (beyond youth), καὶ (and) οὕτως (so) ὀφείλει (it ought) γίνεσθαι (to be), ὃ (what) θέλει (he wills) ποιείτω (let him do)· οὐχ (not) ἁμαρτάνει (he sins)· γαμείτωσαν (let them marry). 37  ὃς (He who) δὲ (however) ἕστηκεν (has stood) ἐν (in) τῇ (the) καρδίᾳ (heart) αὐτοῦ (of him) ἑδραῖος (steadfast) μὴ (not) ἔχων (having) ἀνάγκην (necessity), ἐξουσίαν (authority) δὲ (however) ἔχει (having) περὶ (over) τοῦ (his) ἰδίου (own) θελήματος (will), καὶ (and) τοῦτο (this) κέκρικεν (has judged) ἐν (in) τῇ (his) ἰδίᾳ (own) καρδίᾳ (heart), τηρεῖν (to keep) τὴν (-) ἑαυτοῦ (his own) παρθένον (virgin), καλῶς (well) ποιήσει (he will do).

38  Ὥστε (So then) καὶ (also) ὁ (the one) γαμίζων (marrying) τὴν (his) ἑαυτοῦ (own) παρθένον (virgin) καλῶς (well) ποιεῖ (does), καὶ (and) ὁ (the one) μὴ (not) γαμίζων (marrying) κρεῖσσον (better) ποιήσει (will do).

39  Γυνὴ (A wife) δέδεται (has been bound) ἐφ’ (for) ὅσον (as long as) χρόνον (time) ζῇ (may live) ὁ (the) ἀνὴρ (husband) αὐτῆς (of her)· ἐὰν (if) δὲ (however) κοιμηθῇ (shall have died) ὁ (the) ἀνήρ (husband), ἐλευθέρα (free) ἐστὶν (she is) ᾧ (to whom) θέλει (she wants) γαμηθῆναι (to be married), μόνον (only) ἐν (in) Κυρίῳ (the Lord)· 40  μακαριωτέρα (More blessed) δέ (however) ἐστιν (she is) ἐὰν (if) οὕτως (in the same manner) μείνῃ (she should remain), κατὰ (according to) τὴν (-) ἐμὴν (my) γνώμην (judgment)· δοκῶ (I think) δὲ (now) κἀγὼ (myself also) Πνεῦμα (the Spirit) Θεοῦ (of God) ἔχειν (to have).