1 Corinthians 7:6

But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment.

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Other translations

WEBBE

But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment.

BSB

I say this as a concession, not as a command.

KJV

But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.

ASV

But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment.

BBE

But this I say as my opinion, and not as an order of the Lord.

Original Greek

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τοῦτο touto This G3778 δὲ de now G1161 λέγω legō I say G3004 κατὰ kata by way of G2596 συγγνώμην sungnōmēn concession G4774 οὐ ou not G3756 κατ kat᾽ by way of G2596 ἐπιταγήν epitagēn command G2003

The early church

"But this I say by way of permission, not of commandment. For I would that all men were even as I myself; in a state of continence." This he doth in many places when he is advising about difficult matters; he brings forward himself, and says, "Be ye imitators of me." "Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that." Thus since he had heavily charged them saying, "for your incontinence," he again comforteth them by the words, "each one hath his own gift of God;" not declaring that towards that virtue there is no need of zeal on our part, but, as I was saying before, to comfort them. For if it be a "gift," and man contributes nothing thereunto, how sayest thou, "But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they abide even as I: but if they have not continency let them marry?" Do you see the strong sense of Paul how he both signifies that continence is better, and yet puts no force on the person who cannot attain to it; fearing lest some offence arise?
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 1–9

The apostle tells the Corinthians that it was good, in that juncture of time, for Christians to keep themselves single. Yet he says that marriage, and the comforts of that state, are settled by Divine wisdom. Though none may break the law of God, yet that perfect rule leaves men at liberty to serve him in the way most suited to their powers and circumstances, of which others often are very unfit judges. All must determine for themselves, seeking counsel from God how they ought to act.

Read Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 7 →

Cross-references

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Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.