1 Corinthians 7
7
1Now about what you wrote to me: “It's good not to marry.”#7:1. It seems that some in Corinth were single and the church was writing to ask if this was permissible. 2However, because of the temptation to sexual immorality, it is better that each man have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3The husband should meet his wife's sexual needs, and the wife her husband's. 4The wife's body doesn't just belong to her, but her husband; and similarly the husband's body doesn't just belong to him but his wife. 5So don't deprive each other, except by mutual consent for a while—for example because you want to spend time in prayer. Afterwards come together again so that Satan won't tempt you to sin because of your lack of self-control. 6I'm telling you this not as a command, but as a concession. 7However, I wish that everyone was like me, but each person has their own gift from God—one has this gift, one has another. 8To those who are not yet married, or who are widowed, I would say it is better if they remain like me. 9But if they lack self-control, then they should get married—for it is better to marry than burn with desire.
10These are my instructions to those who are married—in fact not from me but the Lord: The wife should not leave her husband 11(or if she does, she should not remarry, or she should return to her husband); and the husband should not leave his wife.#7:11. One particular problem in the early church was of one spouse becoming Christian, and how then to relate to the non-Christian spouse. This seems to be what is addressed here. 12Now, to the rest of you (and this is me speaking, not the Lord), I would say, If a Christian man has a non-Christian wife and she is willing to stay with him, he should not leave her. 13And if a Christian woman has a non-Christian husband, and he is willing to stay with her, she should not leave her husband.
14For a husband who is not a Christian, the marriage relationship is made holy by the Christian wife, and for a wife who is not a Christian, the marriage relationship is made holy by the Christian husband.#7:14. Paul is not saying here that being married to a Christian the non-Christian spouse therefore becomes a Christian or experiences salvation. He is concerned to address the issue that by being married to a non-Christian spouse in some way “defiles” the marriage or the Christian in the relationship. That this is the real issue is made clear concerning children of such a marriage—they are also not “impure” but they are “holy,” and this is not any reference to the actual spiritual state of the children. Otherwise it would mean your children were impure, but now they are holy. 15However, if the non-Christian spouse leaves, let them leave. In such cases the Christian man or woman is not slavishly bound, for God has called us to live in peace. 16Wives, who knows? You may save your husband! Husbands, who knows? You may save your wife!
17Apart from such cases, each of you should remain in the situation that the Lord has placed you, and continue to live the life to which God has called you. That's my instruction to all the churches. 18Were you circumcised when you were converted? Don't become uncircumcised. Were you uncircumcised when you were converted? Don't become circumcised. 19Circumcision doesn't mean anything, and uncircumcision doesn't mean anything. Keeping the commandments of God is what really matters. 20Everyone should remain in the position they were in when they were called.#7:20. “Called”—in other words, conversion. 21If you were a slave when you were called, don't worry—though if you have an opportunity to become free, take it. 22If you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free, working for the Lord. In the same way if you were called when you were free, you are now Christ's slave! 23A price has been paid for you, so don't become a slave to anyone. 24Brothers and sisters, remain in the position you were in when you were called, living with God.
25Now about “people who are not married,”#7:25. Literally, “virgins.” Paul here continues discussing the issues that the Corinthian church has raised. See 7:1. I don't have a specific instruction from the Lord, so let me give you my opinion as someone who by the Lord's mercy is considered trustworthy. 26Because of the present difficult situation we are in I think it is best to just stay as you are. 27Are you already married? Don't try to get divorced. Are you unmarried? Don't look to get married. 28If you do get married, you haven't sinned. If an unmarried woman gets married, she hasn't sinned. But you will have many troubles in this current world and I would want to spare you these. 29I'm telling you, brothers and sisters, that time is short, and from now on for those who are married it may seem as if they are not married, 30and those who weep as if they did not weep, and those that celebrated as if they had not celebrated, and those that bought as if they did not own, 31and those who are engaged with the world as if it is not fulfilling—for the present world order is passing away.#7:31. In this long sentence Paul indicates that even marriage must be related to contemporary events (“time is short”). Living under persecution, expecting the end of all things, means that even marriage is viewed differently, along with everything else.
32I would prefer you to be free from such worries. A man who is not married pays attention to what is important to the Lord, and how he can please the Lord. 33But a man who is married pays attention to what is important in this world, and how he can please his wife. 34As a result his loyalties are divided. Similarly an unmarried woman or girl pays attention to what is important to the Lord, so she may live a life dedicated both in body and spirit. But a married woman pays attention to what is important in this world, and how she can please her husband. 35I'm telling you this for your benefit. I'm not trying to put a noose around your neck, but to show you the right thing to do so you can serve the Lord without being distracted.
36But if a man thinks he's behaving improperly with the woman he's engaged to, and if he thinks he will give in to his strong sexual desire, and if he thinks he ought to get married, he is not sinning by getting married. 37But if a man stays true to his principles, and there is no obligation to marry, and if he has the power to keep his feelings under control and stay engaged to her, he does well not to marry. 38So the man who marries the woman he's engaged to does well, while the one who does not get married does better.
39A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies,#7:39. The word used here means “to fall asleep,” the usual New Testament expression for death. she is free to marry anyone she wants in the Lord.#7:39. Meaning it must be a marriage between two Christians. 40But in my opinion she would be happier if she didn't remarry—and I think I too have the Spirit of God when I say this.
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Dr. Jonathan Gallagher. Released under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License. Version 4.3. For corrections send email to jonathangallagherfbv@gmail.com
1 Corinthians 7
7
1Now, concerning the things in your iggeret, letʼs take up the next inyan (topic): “It is beneficial for a man not to touch an isha.”#7:1 i.e., postpone the chasunoh (wedding)
2But, because of the acts of zenut, let each Ben Adam have his own Isha, and let each Isha have her own Ba'al (Husband).
3Let the ba'al render the conjugal choiv (debt) to his isha, and likewise also the isha to her ba'al (husband).
4It is not the isha who has samchut (authority) over her own body, but the ba'al (husband); likewise, also it is not the ba'al (husband) who has samchut over his own body, but the isha.
5Do not deprive each other, unless by agreement for a set time, that you may renew zerizut (diligence) to tefillah (prayer) and again you may be together, lest HaSatan lead you into nissayon (temptation) because of your lack of shlitah atzmi (self-control).#7:5 Ex 19:15; 1Sm 21:4,5
6But I say this according to concession,#7:6 in view of 5:1-5; 6:12-20 not according to#7:6 Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiachʼs mitzvoh.
7But, I wish kol Bnei Adam even to be as I am; however, [this is impossible since] each has his own matanah (gift) from Hashem: one this; and another that.
8But, I say to the bochrim and the almanot (widows), it is beneficial for them if they remain as I am;
9But if they do not have shlitah atzmi, let them marry. For better it is to marry than with Eish to be set ablaze.
10But to the ones having entered bibrit hanissuim (in covenant of marriage), I charge, not I but Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu, an isha is not to separate from her ba'al (husband).#7:10 Mal 2:14-16
11But, if indeed she is separated, let her remain so, or be reconciled to her basherter; and a ba'al should not leave his isha.
12But, to the rest I — Sha'ul — not Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu, say: if any Ach b'Moshiach has an isha who is an Apikoros and she is willing to live with him, let him not leave her;
13And if an isha has a ba'al (husband) who is an Apikoros, and he is willing to dwell with her, let her not leave her ba'al (husband).
14For,#7:14 T.N. following the principle of bikkurim the ba'al who is an Apikoros is mekudash b'Ruach Hakodesh (set apart as holy in the Ruach Hakodesh) by the isha, and the isha who is an Apikoros likewise by the Ach b'Moshiach; otherwise, your yeladim are tema'im (unclean); but now they are tehorim (clean).#7:14 Mal 2:15
15But, if the one who is an Apikoros separates and departs, let the separation occur; the Ach b'Moshiach has not been enslaved, or the Achot b'Moshiach in such cases; but Hashem has given you a kri'ah b'shalom.
16For how do you know, isha, if you will not bring your basherter (destined mate), your ba'al, to Yeshu'at Eloheinu?
17Only each of you walk the derech#7:17 T.N. according to Hashemʼs tochnit or etzah Ro 8:28 to which you were called by Hashem.#7:17 Ps 1:6 This is my charge in all the kehillot of Moshiach.
18If as a ben Berit with bris milah anyone received their kri'ah, let him not conceal it; if anyone without bris milah has been called, let him without bris milah not undergo bris milah.
19Bris milah is not everything; nor is the lack of it; but being shomer mitzvot Hashem.
20Each one walk the derech of his kri'ah (calling, summons), and remain there.
21If while a bond servant you were called, do not let it consume you, although if you can gain your deror (freedom, liberty),#7:21 Lv 25:10 do so.
22For, the one in Hashem having been called while a bond servant is#7:22 Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinuʼs ben Chorin (freedman); likewise, the one having been called while a ben Chorin is the Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiachʼs bond servant.
23You were bought with a pidyon nefesh price; do not become avadim haBnei Adam.
24Each one wherever on the derech of Chayyim he was called, Achim b'Moshiach, there let him remain in deveykus with Hashem.
25Next sugya (topic): concerning the betulot (virgins). A mitzvoh of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu I do not have, but a bit of wisdom I offer as one who by the rachamim Hashem is ne'eman (faithful).
26I consider therefore, it to be beneficial, because of the impending Crisis#7:26 i.e., the Chevlei Moshiach and eschatological woes preceding the Bias Moshiach that you remain as you are.
27Have you entered bibrit hanissuim (in covenant of marriage) with an isha? Do not seek to be free. Are you freed from an isha? Do not seek an isha.
28But if indeed you enter bibrit hanissuim (in covenant of marriage), there is no chet; and if the betulah (virgin) marries, there is no averah in that for her. But such will have tzoros in the basar, which I am trying to spare you.#7:28 Mt 24:19
29Now this I say, Achim b'Moshiach, the time [until HaKetz] has been shortened. From now on, let those having nashim live as if not having nashim,
30And let the ones weeping as not weeping, and let the ones having simcha as not having simcha, and let the ones buying as not possessing,
31And let the ones using the Olam Hazeh as not fully using it, for the present form of the Olam Hazeh is passing away.
32But I would have you free from de'agot (worries). The ben Adam without isha cares for the things of Hashem, how he may please Hashem.
33But the one having taken an isha cares for the things of the Olam Hazeh, how he may please his isha,
34And he has been divided.#7:34 1C 1:13 Both the isha free of a ba'al or the betulah cares for the things of Hashem, that she may be tehorah spiritually and physically. But the isha with a ba'al cares for the things of the Olam Hazeh, how she may please her ba'al.
35Now, this I say for your own benefit, not that I may throw a noose on your deror (freedom),#7:35 Lv 25:10 but I speak with respect to what is decent, seemly, and sits well with Hashem, without distraction [in avodas kodesh].#7:35 Ps 86:11
36However, if anyone thnks he does not have proper hitnahagut (conduct) toward the betulah of his eirusin (betrothal, engagement), and if he thinks his basherte (destined mate) is getting along in years, and thus it has to be, what he desires, let him do; there is no chet, let them enter bibrit hanissuim (in covenant of marriage).
37But he who in his lev has settled the decision, not having the need [of conjugal intimacy], but having mastery concerning his own desire, and thus he in his lev has decided, not to enter bibrit hanissuim with his betulah (virgin), he does well.
38So then both the one entering bibrit hanissuim with his betulah does well, and the one not entering bebrit hanissuim with his arusah (betrothed) will do better.#7:38 1C 7:34
39An isha has been bound (bibrit hanissuim, in covenant of marriage) for so long a time as her ba'al lives, but if her ba'al should sleep the sleep of the mesim, she is free to enter bibrit hanissuim with the ba'al she desires, but only in Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu.
40However, happy is she, and even more so, if she remains as she is; and I think in this bit of wisdom I am offering that I have the Ruach Hakodesh.
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