Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.
Parallel translations
- WEB Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman.
- KJV Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
- BSB Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good to abstain from sexual relations.
- NKJV Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
- NLT Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to abstain from sexual relations.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Replying to their questions, Paul affirms that celibacy ('not to touch a woman') can be good. It matters because it opens his balanced teaching on marriage and singleness as honorable callings.
Overview
Paul now addresses matters the Corinthians wrote about, likely quoting their slogan that it is 'good' for a man to abstain from sexual relations. While affirming a real good in celibacy, he immediately qualifies it in the following verses to guard against an unhealthy asceticism. The chapter unfolds a wise, balanced view of both marriage and singleness under God.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- 1 Cor 7:8But I say to the unmarried and to widows, it is good for them if they remain even as I am.
- Matt 19:10–11His disciples said to him, “If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.”
- 1 Cor 7:26–27I think that it is good therefore, because of the distress that is on us, that it is good for a man to be as he is.
- 1 Cor 7:37–38But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no urgency, but has power over his own will, and has determined in his own heart to keep his own virgin, does well.
- Gen 20:6God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld you from sinning against me. Therefore I didn’t allow you to touch her.
- Prov 6:29So is he who goes in to his neighbor’s wife. Whoever touches her will not be unpunished.
- Ruth 2:9Let your eyes be on the field that they reap, and go after them. Haven’t I commanded the young men not to touch you? When you are thirsty, go to the vessels, and drink from that which the young men have drawn.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Commentaries & study tools
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 7:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.