71 Now concerning the things about which you wrote , it is good for a man not to touch a woman . 2 But because of immoralities , each man is to have his own wife , and each woman is to have her own husband . 3 The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife , and likewise also the wife to her husband . 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body , but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body , but the wife does. 5 Stop depriving one another , except by agreement for a time , so e that you may devote yourselves to prayer , and come together e e again so e that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control . 6 But this I say by way of concession , not of command . 7 Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However , each man has his own gift from God , one in this manner , and another e in that. 8 But I say to the unmarried and to widows that it is good for them if they remain even as I. 9 But if they do not have self-control , let them marry ; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:1-9
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:1-9
(Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-9)
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.