1 Corinthians 7:1-9 ▼

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.