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1 Corinthians 7:36

Marriage

34 and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the work of the Lord, how she can be holy in both body and spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, how she can please her husband.

35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but in order to promote proper decorum and undivided devotion to the Lord.

However, if someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his betrothed, and if she is beyond her youth and they ought to marry, let him do as he wishes; he is not sinning; they should get married.

37 But the man who is firmly established in his heart and under no constraint, with control over his will and resolve in his heart not to marry the virgin, he will do well.

38 So then, he who marries the virgin does well, but he who does not marry her does even better.

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
However, if someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his betrothed, and if she is beyond her youth and they ought to marry, let him do as he wishes; he is not sinning; they should get married.
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.
WEB
But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn’t sin. Let them marry.
ASV
But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin [daughter], if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requireth, let him do what he will; he sinneth not; let them marry.
DARBY
But if any one think that he behaves unseemly to his virginity, if he be beyond the flower of his age, and so it must be, let him do what he will, he does not sin: let them marry.
BLB
But if anyone supposes [himself] to be acting unbecomingly to his virgin, if she is beyond youth, and it ought to be so, let him do what he wills; he does not sin; let them marry.
ÅB
Men dersom noen mener at han gjør urett mot sin ugifte datter om hun er over ungdomsalderen, og det må så være, han gjøre det han vil; han synder ikke; la dem gifte seg!
OTB
Men hvis noen mener han ikke oppfører seg riktig overfor sin forlovede, hvis hun er forbi giftealder og det synes nødvendig, la ham gjøre som han ønsker, han synder ikke; de bør gifte seg.
B1930
Men dersom nogen mener at han gjør urett mot sin ugifte datter om hun er over ungdomsalderen, og det må så være, han gjøre det han vil; han synder ikke; la dem gifte sig!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Corinthians 7:9

    But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

    Read in context

  • 1 Corinthians 7:37

    But the man who is firmly established in his heart and under no constraint, with control over his will and resolve in his heart not to marry the virgin, he will do well.

    Read in context