1  NOW concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: [ We do not know what the questions were that they wrote to him. Therefore we must be careful in jumping to any conclusions as to what Paul is saying as we do not know the full context of the question. ] It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Inspired Version: 1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me, saying, It is good for a man not to touch a woman. ]

2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. [ In the Jewish constitutions there are some things not only curious, but useful, respecting marriage. "There are four causes which induce men to marry: 1. Impure desire; 2. To get riches; 3. To become honourable; 4. For the glory of God. Those who marry through the first motive beget wicked and rebellious children. Those who marry for the sake of riches have the curse of leaving them to others. Those who marry for the sake of aggrandizing their family, their families shall be diminished. Those who marry to promote the glory of God, their children shall be holy, and by them shall the true Church be increased."] Inspired Version: 2 Nevertheless, I say, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. ]

3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: [: disposition to do good : an act of kindness : a generous gift; courtesy, favor, grace, indulgence, kindness, mercy, service, turn; Part of benevolence comes from the Latin root meaning "wish". ] : and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

4  The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. [ I would take this to mean that since they are bound in marriage they are one. So that means that they do not opperate as individuals, but as one. Doing whatever is best for them as a unit. ]

5  Defraud ye not one the other, [ Again my interpretation would be give to each other your entire love, do not hold back, or hold out. ] except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. Inspired Version: 5 Depart ye not one from the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.]

6 But I speak this by permission, [ Rabbi's would try to remain conscientious to make a difference between the things which they spoke on of their own judgment (would render permission to speak on such a matter, or to give their opinion. ), and those which they built on the authority of the law. ] and not of commandment.

7  For I would that all men were even as I myself. [ THat they understood the laws of marriage, that they were good and honorable men of God choosing to humbly follow him first at all costs. Was that not who Paul was. ] But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.

8  I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, [ It is supposed that the apostle speaks here of men who had been married, in the word agamoi, but were now widowers; as he does of women who had been married, in the word chrai, but were now widows. ] It is good for them if they abide even as I. [ "wv kagw", even as I, he means that he himself was a widower; for several of the ancients rank Paul among the married apostles. ] .

9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. [ "purousqai" primarily translated as "to burn"; but in a metaphorical sense, it could also be translated to be troubled, vexed, or made uneasy. A curious story, which certainly casts light on the phraseology of this place, is related by Dr. Lightfoot, from the tract Kiddushin, fol. 81. "some captive women were brought to Nehardea, and disposed in the house and the upper room of Rabbi Amram. They took away the ladder (that the women might not get down, but stay there till they were ransomed.) As one of these captives passed by the window, the light of her great beauty shined into the house. Amram (captivated) set up the ladder; and when he was got to the middle of the steps (checked by his conscience) he stopped short, and with a loud voice cried out FIRE! FIRE! in the house of Amram! (This he did that, the neighbours flocking in, he might be obliged to desist from the evil affection which now prevailed in him.) The rabbins ran to him, and (seeing no fire) they said, Thou hast disgraced us. To which he replied: It is better that ye be disgraced in the house of Amram in this world, then that ye be disgraced by me in the world to come. He then adjured that evil affection to go out of him, and it went out as a pillar of FIRE. Amram said: Thou art FIRE, and I am FLESH; yet for all that I have prevailed against thee." From this story much instruction may be derived. ]

10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, [ I do not give my own private opinion or judgment in this case; for the Lord Jesus commands that man shall not put asunder them whom God hath joined. ] Let not the wife depart from her husband:

11  But and if she depart, [He puts the case as probable, because it was frequent, but lays it under restrictions.] let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: [ She departs at her own peril; but she must not marry another: she must either continue unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband. ] and let not the husband put away his wife. [ Divorces cannot be allowed but in the case of fornication: an act of this kind dissolves the marriage vow; but nothing else can. It is a fact that, among the Jews, the wife had just as much right to put away her husband as the husband had to put away his wife. As divorces were granted, it was right that each should have an equal power; for this served as a mutual check.]

12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.

18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.

19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.

23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.

24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.

26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. Inspired Version: 26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, for a man so to remain that he may do greater good. ]

27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; Inspired Version: 29 But I speak unto you who are called unto the ministry. For this I say, brethren, the time that remaineth is but short, that ye shall be sent forth unto the ministry. Even they who have wives, shall be as though they had none; for ye are called and chosen to do the Lord’s work. 30 And it shall be with them who weep, as though they wept not; and them who rejoice, as though they rejoiced not, and them who buy, as though they possessed not; 31 And them who use this world, as not using it; for the fashion of this world passeth away. 32 But I would, brethren, that ye magnify your calling. I would have you without carefulness. For he who is unmarried, careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord; therefore he prevaileth. 33 But he who is married, careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife; therefore there is a difference, for he is hindered. 38 So then he that giveth himself in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth himself not in marriage doeth better.]

30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;

31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

36 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.

37 Nevertheless, he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.

38 so then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.

39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.