New English Translation
1 Corinthians 7:9
9But if they do not have self-control, let them get married. For it is better to marry than to burn with sexual desire.
1 Corinthians 7:9 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
- New International Version (NIV)But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
- English Standard Version (ESV)But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
- New King James Version (NKJV)but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
Context of 1 Corinthians 7:9
7I wish that everyone was as I am. But each has his own gift from God, one this way, another that. 8To the unmarried and widows I say that it is best for them to remain as I am. But if they do not have self-control, let them get married. For it is better to marry than to burn with sexual desire. 10To the married I give this command – not I, but the Lord – a wife should not divorce a husband 11(but if she does, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband), and a husband should not divorce his wife.
Read all of 1 Corinthians 71 Corinthians 7:9 word by word
εἰ δὲ οὐκ ἐγκρατεύονται, γαμησάτωσαν· κρεῖττον γάρ ἐστιν γαμῆσαι ἢ πυροῦσθαι.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 7:9
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7:9
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 9But if they cannot contain - If they find it inconvenient and uncomfortable to continue as widowers and widows, let them remarry. It is better to marry than to burn - Bishop Pearce translates the original thus: For it is better to marry than to be made uneasy. , says he, "signifies primarily to burn; but in a metaphorical sense, to be troubled, vexed, or made uneasy. So in 2 Corinthians 11:29; : Who is offended and I burn not, , and I am not troubled. So…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 9But if they cannot contain - If they have not the gift of continence; if they cannot be secure against temptation; if they have not strength of virtue enough to preserve them from the danger of sin, and of bringing reproach and scandal on the church. It is better - It is to be preferred. Than to burn - The passion here referred to is often compared to a fire; see Virgil, Aeneas 4:68. It is better to marry, even with all the inconveniences attending the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8-9Paul advises that staying unmarried is better because it allows more opportunities to serve Christ without distraction (1 Corinthians 7:32–35). However, even with its distractions, an honorable marriage is much better than living with unsatisfied sexual desire.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 99. if they cannot contain--that is, "have not continency." burn--with the secret flame of lust, which lays waste the whole inner man. (Compare Augustine [Holy Virginity]). The dew of God's grace is needed to stifle the flame, which otherwise would thrust men at last into hell-fire.Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Corinthians 7:9
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries