1 Corinthians 7
1 Now [I will reply to] the things that you wrote to me about. It is good for people not to get married.
περι δε ων εγραψατε μοι καλον ανθρωπω γυναικοσ μη απτεσθαι
2 But because many people are committing sexual immorality, [which God detests], every man should have his own wife [with whom he can have sexual relations], and every woman should have her own husband [with whom she can have sexual relations].
δια δε τασ πορνειασ εκαστοσ την εαυτου γυναικα εχετω και εκαστη τον ιδιον ανδρα εχετω
3 Every man must continue having sexual relations [EUP] with his wife, and every woman must continue having sexual relations with her husband.
τη γυναικι ο ανηρ την οφειλομενην ευνοιαν αποδιδοτω ομοιωσ δε και η γυνη τω ανδρι
4 A man’s wife does not have the right over her own body [to be the only one to decide about having sexual relations with her husband]. Instead, her husband also has a right [to decide about that]. Similarly, a woman’s husband does not have the right over his own body [to be the only one to decide about having sexual relations with his wife]. Instead, his wife also has a right [to decide about that].
η γυνη του ιδιου σωματοσ ουκ εξουσιαζει αλλ ο ανηρ ομοιωσ δε και ο ανηρ του ιδιου σωματοσ ουκ εξουσιαζει αλλ η γυνη
5 You may refuse [to have sexual relations with] each other [EUP] only if you both first agree to do that for a short time, in order that you may both have more time to pray. Then after that, begin having sexual relations again [EUP] in order that Satan will not be able to persuade you [to have sex with someone else] because you are unable to control your sexual desires.
μη αποστερειτε αλληλουσ ει μητι αν εκ συμφωνου προσ καιρον ινα σχολαζητε τη νηστεια και τη προσευχη και παλιν επι το αυτο συνερχησθε ινα μη πειραζη υμασ ο σατανασ δια την ακρασιαν υμων
6 I am telling you these things to say that [God] allows [you to get married, but he] does not say that you must [get married].
τουτο δε λεγω κατα συγγνωμην ου κατ επιταγην
7 I myself wish that all people would stay [unmarried/single], as I am. But God has enabled each person to live in ways that seem right for them. He has enabled some people to [live without getting married], and he has enabled other people to [get married].
θελω γαρ παντασ ανθρωπουσ ειναι ωσ και εμαυτον αλλ εκαστοσ ιδιον χαρισμα εχει εκ θεου οσ μεν ουτωσ οσ δε ουτωσ
8 Now I want to say this to you unmarried people and to you whose spouses have died: It would be good for you to remain [unmarried] as I am.
λεγω δε τοισ αγαμοισ και ταισ χηραισ καλον αυτοισ εστιν εαν μεινωσιν ωσ καγω
9 But if you cannot control your [sexual desires] [EUP], you should get married. It is better to be married [so that you can satisfy your sexual desires with your spouse] than to constantly have a strong desire [EUP] [for sexual relations].
ει δε ουκ εγκρατευονται γαμησατωσαν κρεισσον γαρ εστιν γαμησαι η πυρουσθαι
10 And now I will give a command for [believers who are] married. This is not a command from me alone; it also comes from the Lord Jesus. You married women must not (separate from/divorce) your husbands!
τοισ δε γεγαμηκοσιν παραγγελλω ουκ εγω αλλ ο κυριοσ γυναικα απο ανδροσ μη χωρισθηναι
11 But if any of you do that, you must remain unmarried, or else you should be reconciled with your husband [and live with him again]. Similarly, men must not (separate from/divorce) their wives.
εαν δε και χωρισθη μενετω αγαμοσ η τω ανδρι καταλλαγητω και ανδρα γυναικα μη αφιεναι
12 Now I say this to the rest of you, [to those who became believers after they were married. This is what] I [am saying], not what the Lord [has commanded]. If someone has a wife who is not a believer, if she is willing to keep living with him, he must not divorce her.
τοισ δε λοιποισ εγω λεγω ουχ ο κυριοσ ει τισ αδελφοσ γυναικα εχει απιστον και αυτη συνευδοκει οικειν μετ αυτου μη αφιετω αυτην
13 Similarly, if a woman has a husband who is not a believer, if he is willing to keep living with her, she must not divorce him.
και γυνη ητισ εχει ανδρα απιστον και αυτοσ συνευδοκει οικειν μετ αυτησ μη αφιετω αυτον
14 [I say that] because God has set apart every woman’s unbelieving husband [for himself] because of his wife [being a believer], and God has set apart every man’s unbelieving wife [for himself] because of her husband [being a believer]. If that were not true, [God would consider] their children unacceptable. But, the fact is that [God does consider] them acceptable to him.
ηγιασται γαρ ο ανηρ ο απιστοσ εν τη γυναικι και ηγιασται η γυνη η απιστοσ εν τω ανδρι επει αρα τα τεκνα υμων ακαθαρτα εστιν νυν δε αγια εστιν
15 However, if a woman’s husband who is not a believer or a man’s wife who is not a believer wants to leave, let [him or her] do so. The husband or wife who is a believer should not force the other one to stay. God has chosen us in order that we may live peacefully.
ει δε ο απιστοσ χωριζεται χωριζεσθω ου δεδουλωται ο αδελφοσ η η αδελφη εν τοισ τοιουτοισ εν δε ειρηνη κεκληκεν ημασ ο θεοσ
16 [You women believers should allow your unbelieving spouses to leave you if they want to], because there is no way that you can be sure that God will save your husband if you stay together [RHQ] (OR, perhaps God will save your husband if you stay together.) Similarly, you men [who are believers], there is no way that you can be sure that God will save your wives if you stay together [RHQ] (OR, perhaps God will save your wives if you stay together.)
τι γαρ οιδασ γυναι ει τον ανδρα σωσεισ η τι οιδασ ανερ ει την γυναικα σωσεισ
17 However, each person should continue in the status that the Lord gave him, the status that he had when the Lord called him [to belong to him]. That is the rule that I tell people in all the congregations [where I speak].
ει μη εκαστω ωσ εμερισεν ο θεοσ εκαστον ωσ κεκληκεν ο κυριοσ ουτωσ περιπατειτω και ουτωσ εν ταισ εκκλησιαισ πασαισ διατασσομαι
18 If a man had already been circumcised [RHQ] when he became a Christian, he should not [try to pretend that he is not] circumcised. If a man had not been circumcised [RHQ] before he became a Christian, he should not become circumcised.
περιτετμημενοσ τισ εκληθη μη επισπασθω εν ακροβυστια τισ εκληθη μη περιτεμνεσθω
19 [You should not try to change your status that way], because it means nothing [to God] whether someone is circumcised or not. What is important is that we obey what God has commanded.
η περιτομη ουδεν εστιν και η ακροβυστια ουδεν εστιν αλλα τηρησισ εντολων θεου
20 [Generally], each person should remain in the status that he had when he became a Christian.
εκαστοσ εν τη κλησει η εκληθη εν ταυτη μενετω
21 If one of you was a slave when you [(sg)] became a Christian [RHQ], do not be concerned about it. However, if you get an opportunity to be free, do [what you need to do to become free].
δουλοσ εκληθησ μη σοι μελετω αλλ ει και δυνασαι ελευθεροσ γενεσθαι μαλλον χρησαι
22 [Do not worry about your previously being a slave], because those who were slaves before they became Christians, the Lord has freed them [from Satan’s control]. Similarly, those who were not slaves before they became Christians, [it is as though] [MET] they are Christ’s slaves [because they must do what he tells them to do] [MET].
ο γαρ εν κυριω κληθεισ δουλοσ απελευθεροσ κυριου εστιν ομοιωσ και ο ελευθεροσ κληθεισ δουλοσ εστιν χριστου
23 [Christ] paid a price to buy you [when he died for you]. So do not [act as if you are evil people’s] slaves [by doing the evil things that they tell you to do].
τιμησ ηγορασθητε μη γινεσθε δουλοι ανθρωπων
24 My fellow believers, [I repeat that in general] each believer, being in fellowship with God, should continue in the status that he had before he became a Christian.
εκαστοσ εν ω εκληθη αδελφοι εν τουτω μενετω παρα θεω
25 Now [I will answer your question] about women who have never married. There is nothing that the Lord has commanded me [to write about them], but I am writing this to tell you what I think [is best], because the Lord [Jesus] has mercifully enabled me to [say] what is reliable.
περι δε των παρθενων επιταγην κυριου ουκ εχω γνωμην δε διδωμι ωσ ηλεημενοσ υπο κυριου πιστοσ ειναι
26 There are a lot of distressing events [happening] now (OR, that will soon happen), so I think that it is better for people to remain in the marital status that they now have.
νομιζω ουν τουτο καλον υπαρχειν δια την ενεστωσαν αναγκην οτι καλον ανθρωπω το ουτωσ ειναι
27 If any of you [men] are married [RHQ], do not try to divorce your wife. If any of you are unmarried [RHQ], do not seek a wife.
δεδεσαι γυναικι μη ζητει λυσιν λελυσαι απο γυναικοσ μη ζητει γυναικα
28 But if [any of] you [men] get married, you have not committed a sin [by doing that]. Likewise, if an unmarried woman gets married, she has not committed a sin [by doing that]. However, those who get married will have many troubles, [so I am urging you to remain unmarried in order that] you may not experience [such troubles].
εαν δε και γημησ ουχ ημαρτεσ και εαν γημη η παρθενοσ ουχ ημαρτεν θλιψιν δε τη σαρκι εξουσιν οι τοιουτοι εγω δε υμων φειδομαι
29 My fellow believers, this is what I mean: There is not much time left [before Christ returns]. So, from now on those men who are married should [devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they were not married.
τουτο δε φημι αδελφοι ο καιροσ συνεσταλμενοσ το λοιπον εστιν ινα και οι εχοντεσ γυναικασ ωσ μη εχοντεσ ωσιν
30 Those who are sad should [devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they were not sad. Those who are rejoicing [should devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they were not joyful.
και οι κλαιοντεσ ωσ μη κλαιοντεσ και οι χαιροντεσ ωσ μη χαιροντεσ και οι αγοραζοντεσ ωσ μη κατεχοντεσ
31 Those who are buying things should [devote themselves to serving the Lord as much] as they would if they did not possess those things. Because this world as it exists now will soon be gone, those who are actively involved in the affairs of this life [should not devote all their time] to be involved in those things.
και οι χρωμενοι τω κοσμω τουτω ωσ μη καταχρωμενοι παραγει γαρ το σχημα του κοσμου τουτου
32 [Another reason why] I [encourage you to remain unmarried is that] I desire that none of you be anxious [about the everyday affairs of this life]. Unmarried men are [able to be primarily] concerned about serving the Lord Jesus and trying to please him.
θελω δε υμασ αμεριμνουσ ειναι ο αγαμοσ μεριμνα τα του κυριου πωσ αρεσει τω κυριω
33 But married men are [often] greatly concerned about the affairs of this life. Specifically, they are concerned about pleasing their wives.
ο δε γαμησασ μεριμνα τα του κοσμου πωσ αρεσει τη γυναικι
34 So their thinking is divided. Unmarried women are [able to be] concerned about serving the Lord. They want to set apart their minds and their bodies for serving the Lord. But married women are [often] concerned about the affairs of this life. Specifically, they are concerned about how to please their husbands.
μεμερισται και η γυνη και η παρθενοσ η αγαμοσ μεριμνα τα του κυριου ινα η αγια και σωματι και πνευματι η δε γαμησασα μεριμνα τα του κοσμου πωσ αρεσει τω ανδρι
35 I am telling you this for your own good. I am not saying it in order to restrict you. Instead, I am saying it in order that you may do what is proper and be able to serve the Lord without being distracted {things distracting you}.
τουτο δε προσ το υμων αυτων συμφερον λεγω ουχ ινα βροχον υμιν επιβαλω αλλα προσ το ευσχημον και ευπροσεδρον τω κυριω απερισπαστωσ
36 [Some of you men have asked about your unmarried daughters]. [I suggest that] if any man thinks that he may be treating his daughter unfairly [by keeping her from marrying], and if it is already past [the right] time for her to get married, and if he thinks that she ought to be married, he should do what he wants to do. He should let her get married. He will not be sinning [by doing that].
ει δε τισ ασχημονειν επι την παρθενον αυτου νομιζει εαν η υπερακμοσ και ουτωσ οφειλει γινεσθαι ο θελει ποιειτω ουχ αμαρτανει γαμειτωσαν
37 But if a man feels absolutely sure [that it is better that his daughter not get married], and if nothing is forcing [her to get married], and if he is free to do what he decides to do on the matter, if he decides that his daughter should not get married, he is doing what is right in [keeping her from marrying].
οσ δε εστηκεν εδραιοσ εν τη καρδια μη εχων αναγκην εξουσιαν δε εχει περι του ιδιου θεληματοσ και τουτο κεκρικεν εν τη καρδια αυτου του τηρειν την εαυτου παρθενον καλωσ ποιει
38 So any man who decides that his daughter should get married is doing what is good, but if he decides that she should not get married, he is doing something even better. (OR, [Some of you men have asked about the women to whom you are engaged to marry]. If any man thinks that he may be treating that woman unfairly [by not marrying her], and if it is already past [the right] time for her to get married, and if he wants to marry her very much, he should do what he wants to do. He should marry her. He will not be sinning [by doing that]. But if a man feels absolutely sure [that it is better] for him not to get married, and if nothing is forcing [them to get married], if he is free to make his own decision on the matter, if he decides not to get married, he is doing what is right. So any man who decides that he should get married to the woman he is engaged to is doing what is good, but if he decides that he should not get married, he is doing something even better.)
ωστε και ο εκγαμιζων καλωσ ποιει ο δε μη εκγαμιζων κρεισσον ποιει
39 Women must remain married to their husbands while their husbands are still alive. But if a woman’s husband dies, she is free to marry any [unmarried] man whom she wants to marry, but he must belong to the Lord.
γυνη δεδεται νομω εφ οσον χρονον ζη ο ανηρ αυτησ εαν δε και κοιμηθη ο ανηρ ελευθερα εστιν ω θελει γαμηθηναι μονον εν κυριω
40 However, I think that she will be happier if she does not marry again. And I believe that the Spirit of God is [directing] me [as I say that].
μακαριωτερα δε εστιν εαν ουτωσ μεινη κατα την εμην γνωμην δοκω δε καγω πνευμα θεου εχειν
