1 Korintus 7

1 Sekarang saya akan menanggapi persoalan yang disebut dalam surat kalian: Ya, saya setuju bahwa memang baik bila seorang laki-laki tidak menikah.

Now [I will reply to] the things that you wrote to me about. It is good for people not to get married.

2 Namun, karena bahaya percabulan, sebaiknya setiap laki-laki mempunyai istri sendiri, dan setiap perempuan mempunyai suami sendiri.

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].

3 Dengan begitu, kebutuhan setiap orang bisa terpenuhi oleh pasangannya masing-masing.

Every man must continue having sexual relations [EUP] with his wife, and every woman must continue having sexual relations with her husband.

4 Karena setelah menikah, istri menjadi hak suaminya, dan suami menjadi hak istrinya.

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].

5 Itu sebabnya, suami dan istri tidak boleh saling menjauh, kecuali untuk sementara waktu atas kesepakatan bersama, ketika kalian memerlukan waktu khusus untuk berdoa dan berpuasa. Tetapi sesudah itu kalian harus bersatu lagi supaya Satanas tidak mendapat kesempatan untuk mencobaimu, sebab kamu tidak bisa mengendalikan hawa nafsu.

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.

6 Tentang hal saling menjauh untuk sementara waktu, itu bukan perintah, tetapi hanya saran.

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].

7 Sebenarnya saya ingin supaya setiap orang seperti saya. Namun, saya menyadari bahwa setiap pengikut Kristus menerima berkat yang berbeda dari Allah. Ada yang menerima berkat seperti saya untuk hidup tanpa istri, dan ada yang menerima berkat untuk mempunyai istri.

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].

8 Tetapi untuk kalian yang belum menikah, juga para janda, saya menganjurkan: Lebih baik kamu terus hidup melajang atau membujang, seperti saya.

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.

9 Namun, jika kamu tidak bisa menguasai diri, sebaiknya kamu menikah, karena lebih baik menikah daripada terbakar oleh hawa nafsu.

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].

10 Sekarang saya memberi perintah kepada orang yang sudah menikah, dan perintah ini bukan berasal dari saya sendiri, melainkan dari Tuhan Yesus: Seorang istri tidak boleh memutuskan hubungan dengan suaminya.

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!

11 Tetapi kalau istri terlanjur berpisah dari suaminya, dia tidak boleh kawin dengan laki-laki lain. Dia bisa berdamai kembali dengan suaminya. Demikian juga sebaliknya, suami tidak boleh menceraikan istrinya.

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.

12 Sekarang saya mau memberi nasihat untuk situasi lain. Nasihat ini dari saya sendiri, bukan dari Tuhan: Kalau seorang saudara seiman mempunyai istri yang belum percaya kepada Tuhan Yesus dan istrinya itu masih mau hidup bersamanya, maka dia tidak boleh menceraikan istrinya.

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.

13 Begitu juga sebaliknya, kalau seorang saudari seiman mempunyai suami yang belum percaya kepada Tuhan dan suaminya itu masih mau hidup bersamanya, maka dia tidak boleh menceraikan suaminya.

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.

14 Sebab pernikahan itu tetap sah di mata Allah karena salah satu pihak, yakni suami atau istri, sudah percaya kepada Yesus. Dengan demikian, anak-anak mereka tidak dianggap anak haram di mata Allah. Mereka adalah anak yang sah.

[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.

15 Namun, bila suami atau istri yang belum percaya Kristus memutuskan untuk bercerai dengan istri atau suaminya yang percaya, maka bercerailah. Kalau hal itu terjadi, saudara atau saudari seiman tidak terikat lagi. Karena Allah menghendaki agar kita hidup dengan tenang.

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.

16 Saya menasihatkan demikian karena siapa tahu, suami atau istrimu yang tidak percaya itu kelak bisa menjadi percaya karena teladanmu, dan akhirnya diselamatkan.

[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.)

17 Untuk kalian semua, saya menasihatkan: Tetaplah hidup dalam keadaan seperti waktu kamu dipanggil Allah menjadi pengikut Tuhan Yesus, yaitu keadaan hidup yang sudah Allah berikan kepadamu sebelum percaya kepada Tuhan. Prinsip ini saya ajarkan di semua jemaat.

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].

18 Misalnya, kalau kamu sudah disunat ketika Allah memanggilmu menjadi pengikut Kristus, jangan melakukan apa pun untuk menghapuskan sunatmu itu. Kalau kamu belum disunat waktu mulai mengikut Kristus, kamu tidak perlu disunat.

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.

19 Bersunat atau tidak, itu tidaklah penting. Yang penting kamu taat kepada perintah-perintah Allah.

[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.

20 Setiap orang hendaklah terus hidup dalam keadaannya waktu Allah memanggil dia menjadi pengikut Kristus.

[Generally], each person should remain in the status that he had when he became a Christian.

21 Sebagai contoh, kalau kamu sudah dijual sebagai budak waktu Allah memanggilmu untuk mengikut Kristus, itu tidak masalah. Tetapi jika kamu mendapat kesempatan untuk bebas dari perbudakan, gunakanlah kesempatan itu.

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].

22 Sebab meskipun kamu dipanggil oleh Allah dalam keadaan sebagai budak, sebenarnya kamu sudah bebas secara rohani karena bersatu dengan Kristus. Demikian juga kalau kamu bukan budak, saat kamu dipanggil oleh Allah, kamu menjadi terikat sebagai budak milik Kristus.

[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].

23 Kita semua sudah dibeli Allah dengan harga yang sangat mahal! Maka janganlah kita menjadi budak manusia!

[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].

24 Intinya Saudara-saudari, biarlah kita masing-masing tetap hidup bersama Allah dalam keadaan seperti pada waktu kita dipanggil menjadi pengikut Kristus.

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.

25 Sekarang saya menulis untuk saudara-saudari yang belum menikah. Nasihat ini bukan perintah dari Tuhan Yesus, tetapi sebagai orang yang sudah cukup lama dipimpin-Nya dengan kemurahan hati-Nya, saya membagikan pendapat ini:

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.

26 Karena kita sedang hidup dalam masa yang sukar, saya pikir lebih baik kalian masing-masing tetap hidup tenang dalam keadaanmu yang sekarang.

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.

27 Contohnya, kalau kamu mempunyai istri, janganlah berusaha menceraikan dia. Dan kalau kamu tidak mempunyai istri, janganlah berusaha mencari istri.

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.

28 Namun, kalau kamu memutuskan untuk menikah, itu bukan dosa. Kalau seorang pemudi menikah, dia tidak berdosa. Hanya saja, orang yang menikah akan mengalami lebih banyak masalah dalam hidupnya. Nasihat saya tadi bertujuan untuk menghindarkan kamu dari masalah seperti itu.

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].

29 Akan tetapi Saudara-saudari, maksud saya begini: Waktu kita tidak banyak lagi! Jadi mulai sekarang, kalau kamu mempunyai pasangan, sebaiknya kalian berdua bersepakat untuk memusatkan perhatian penuh dalam melayani Tuhan Yesus seakan-akan kamu tidak mempunyai pasangan.

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.

30 Begitu juga kalau kamu bersedih, hiduplah seolah-olah tidak bersedih. Dan kalau kamu berbahagia, hiduplah seolah-olah tidak berbahagia. Kalau kamu membeli harta dunia, hiduplah seolah-olah tidak mempunyai apa-apa.

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.

31 Juga kalau kamu menggunakan barang-barang duniawi, hiduplah seolah-olah semuanya itu tidak berarti bagimu. Karena dunia ini akan segera hilang lenyap!

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.

32 Saya ingin kamu semua tidak kuatir tentang apa pun dalam hidup ini. Bagi laki-laki, kalau kamu tidak menikah, kamu bisa memusatkan perhatianmu sepenuhnya untuk pekerjaan Tuhan Yesus. Jadi kamu hanya berusaha untuk menyenangkan hati Tuhan.

[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.

33 Tetapi kalau kamu menikah, kamu akan sibuk dengan hal-hal duniawi, yaitu berusaha menyenangkan istrimu,

But married men are [often] greatly concerned about the affairs of this life. Specifically, they are concerned about pleasing their wives.

34 sehingga perhatianmu terbagi antara menyenangkan istri dan menyenangkan TUHAN. Begitu juga bagi para perempuan. Kalau kamu tidak menikah, kamu bisa memusatkan perhatian sepenuhnya untuk pekerjaan Tuhan. Jadi kamu hanya berusaha untuk menyenangkan Tuhan Yesus, baik dalam kehidupan jasmani maupun rohani. Tetapi kalau kamu menikah, kamu akan sibuk dengan hal-hal duniawi, yaitu berusaha menyenangkan suamimu.

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.

35 Nasihat itu bukan untuk membatasi kamu, tetapi justru untuk kebaikanmu, supaya kamu bisa hidup dengan sebaik-baiknya. Tujuannya agar kamu semua dapat melayani Allah tanpa terganggu dengan hal-hal lain.

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}.

36 Namun bila kamu, sebagai laki-laki, menyadari bahwa kamu sudah terlalu lama menunda-nunda pernikahan yang direncanakan keluarga kalian, sedangkan calon istrimu sudah semakin berumur, dan kamu sendiri merasa lebih baik menikah, maka hendaklah kalian segera menikah. Itu tidak berdosa.

[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].

37 Tetapi kalau kamu sudah menetapkan hati bahwa kamu tidak perlu menikah, dan kamu juga merasa mampu menguasai diri, maka silakan hidup membujang. Itu hal yang baik.

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].

38 Jadi, menikah itu baik, dan hidup bagi Allah tanpa menikah itu lebih baik lagi.

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.)

39 Perlu diingat bahwa seorang perempuan terikat secara hukum kepada suaminya selama suaminya itu hidup. Sesudah suaminya meninggal, perempuan itu bebas untuk menikah dengan laki-laki yang dia inginkan, asalkan orang itu percaya kepada Tuhan Yesus.

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.

40 Namun, saya berpendapat bahwa seorang janda akan lebih berbahagia jika tidak menikah lagi. Dan saya merasa pendapat ini juga berasal dari hikmat Roh Allah.

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].