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.
• New International Version (NIV)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.
• 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 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

34There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. 35And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction. 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. 37Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well. 38So then he who gives her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage 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 2:33But any of your men whom I do not cut off from My altar shall consume your eyes and grieve your heart. And all the descendants of your house shall die in the flower of their age.
• 1 Corinthians 7:9but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
• 1 Corinthians 7:28But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.

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