1 Corinthians 7:36

1 Corinthians 7:36 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
• English Standard Version (ESV)If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin.
• New King James Version (NKJV)But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry.
• New Living Translation (NLT)But if a man thinks that he’s treating his fiancée improperly and will inevitably give in to his passion, let him marry her as he wishes. It is not a sin.

Context of 1 Corinthians 7:36

34and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. 37But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. 38So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.

1 Corinthians 7:36 word by word

Εἰ δέ τις ἀσχημονεῖν ἐπὶ τὴν παρθένον αὐτοῦ νομίζει, ἐὰν ᾖ ὑπέρακμος, καὶ οὕτως ὀφείλει γίνεσθαι, ὃ θέλει ποιείτω· οὐχ ἁμαρτάνει, γαμείτωσαν.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Butδέde · thenG1161
• ifεἰei · ifG1487
• any manτιςtis · oneG5100
• thinkνομίζωnomizō · to thinkG3543
• thatὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• he behavethἀσχημονέωaschēmoneō · to act improperlyG807
• himselfαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
• towardἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• his virginὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• his virginπαρθένοςparthenos · virginG3933
• ifἐάνean · ifG1437
• she passεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• the flower ofὑπέρακμοςhuperakmos · past one’s primeG5230
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• needὀφείλωopheilō opheileō · to oweG3784
• soοὕτωςhoutō · thus(-ly)G3779
• requireγίνομαιginomai · to beG1096
• let him doποιέωpoieō · to do/make: doG4160
• what he willθέλωthelō ethelō · to will/desireG2309
• he sinnethἁμαρτάνωhamartanō · to sinG264
• notοὐou · noG3756
• let them marryγαμέωgameō · to marryG1060

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 7:36

• 1 Samuel 2:33Every one of you that I do not cut off from serving at my altar I will spare only to destroy your sight and sap your strength, and all your descendants will die in the prime of life.
• 1 Corinthians 7:9But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
• 1 Corinthians 7:28But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7:36

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 36Uncomely towards his virgin - Different meanings have been assigned to this verse; I shall mention three of the principal. "In those early times, both among the Hebrews and Christians, the daughters were wholly in the power of the father, so that he might give or not give them in marriage as he chose; and might bind them to perpetual celibacy if he thought proper; and to this case the apostle alludes. If the father had devoted his daughter to perpetual…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 36That he behaveth himself uncomely - Acts an unbecoming part, imposes an unnecessary, painful, and improper constraint, crosses her inclinations which are in them selves proper. Toward his virgin - His daughter, or his ward, or any unmarried female committed to his care. If she pass the flower of her age - If she pass the marriageable age and remains unmarried. It is well known that in the east it was regarded as especially dishonorable to remain…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 36-40Verses 36-40 The apostle is thought to give advice here about the disposal of children in marriage. In this view, the general meaning is plain. Children should seek and follow the directions of their parents as to marriage. And parents should consult their children's wishes; and not reckon they have power to do with them, and dictate just as they please, without reason. The whole is closed with advice to widows. Second marriages are not unlawful, so that…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 36-38Paul suggests choosing a celibate life over marriage. However, he permits marriage if sexual desires become too tempting. Those who can control their desires well should consider celibacy.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3636. behaveth ... uncomely--is not treating his daughter well in leaving her unmarried beyond the flower of her age, and thus debarring her from the lawful gratification of her natural feeling as a marriageable woman. need so require--if the exigencies of the case require it; namely, regard to the feelings and welfare of his daughter. Opposed to "having no necessity" (1Co 7:37). let them marry--the daughter and her suitor.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 7:36

• Celibacy
• Chastity
• Continence
• Marriage

In the dictionaries

• Abuse
• Attend
• Consent
• Contain
• Distraction
• Loose
• Mercy
• Revelation of Christ
• Snare
• Sorrow

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