1 Corinthians 7:9

But if they don’t have self-control, let them marry. For it’s better to marry than to burn.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

But if they don’t have self-control, let them marry. For it’s better to marry than to burn with passion.

BSB

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

KJV

But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

ASV

But if they have not continency, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.

BBE

But if they have not self-control let them get married; for married life is better than the burning of desire.

Original Greek

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εἰ ei If G1487 δὲ de however G1161 οὐκ ouk not G3756 ἐγκρατεύονται egkrateuontai they have self-control G1467 γαμησάτωσαν gamēsatōsan they should marry G1060 κρεῖττον kreitton better G2908 γάρ gar for G1063 ἐστιν estin it is G1510 γαμῆσαι gamēsai to marry G1060 ἢ ē than G2228 πυροῦσθαι.¶ purousthai to burn with passion G4448

The early church

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? "For it is better to marry than to burn." He indicates how great is the tyranny of concupiscence. What he means is something like this: "If you have to endure much violence and burning desire, withdraw yourself from your pains and toils, lest haply you be subverted."
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

6

Topics

Widow

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