Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 7:2

What does 1 Corinthians 7:2 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 7:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 7:2 means

Because sexual immorality was a real danger in Corinth, Paul counsels that each man have his own wife and each woman her own husband. Marriage is presented as God’s provided context for lawful sexual intimacy, a safeguard for purity, and a blessing to both husband and wife. This does not make marriage a mere remedy for lust, but it does underscore one of its practical benefits in a fallen world. Paul’s emphasis on mutual exclusivity—“his own…her own”—protects faithfulness and dignity. Far from disparaging marriage, he respects it as the normal pattern for most believers, even as he recognizes singleness as a good gift for some. The verse balances spiritual aspiration with moral realism.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But because of the desires of the flesh, let every man have his wife, and every woman her husband.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and because of the whoredom let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her proper husband;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But for fear of fornication, let every man have his own wife: and let every woman have her own husband.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but on account of fornications, let each have his own wife, and each [woman] have her own husband.

Context

Verse 2 qualifies the statement in verse 1 by recognizing the pervasive temptations in Corinth. Where verse 1 commended celibacy as a good, this verse affirms marriage as honorable and prudent. Paul’s pastoral concern is evident: he aims to prevent fornication by directing desire into God’s design. Verses 3–5 will continue this theme by describing mutual marital duties, showing that marriage is not merely permissible but has spiritual and practical responsibilities. This flow helps the reader see that Paul is not swinging between extremes but weaving together a coherent ethic: purity, mutuality, and faithfulness.

v.1Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

v.2This passage

v.3Let the husband render unto the wife her due: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Ephesians 5:28

    Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife loveth himself:

  • Proverbs 19:14

    House and riches are an inheritance from fathers; But a prudent wife is from Jehovah.

  • 1 Timothy 4:3

    forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.

  • Proverbs 5:18

    Let thy fountain be blessed; And rejoice in the wife of thy youth.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:18

    Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.

  • Proverbs 18:22

    Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, And obtaineth favor of Jehovah.

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