1 Corinthians 7:2

2 But because of sexual immorality,^[a] each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband.

1 Corinthians 7:2 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 7:2

Nevertheless, to avoid fornication
Or "fornications"; meaning either the frequent commission of that sin; or all sorts of uncleanness and pollution, which may be avoided by wedlock, and the proper use of the marriage bed, where the gift of continency is not bestowed: wherefore to prevent unlawful copulations, as of single persons with one another, or of a married person with a single one, the apostle advises, as being what is right and proper,

let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own
husband;
that is, let every man that has a wife enjoy her, and make use of her, and let every woman that has an husband, receive him into her embraces; for these words are not to be understood of unmarried persons entering into a marriage state, for the words suppose them in such a state, but of the proper use of the marriage bed; and teach us that marriage, and the use of it, are proper remedies against fornication; and that carnal copulation of a man with a woman ought only to be of husband and wife, or of persons in a married state; and that all other copulations are sinful; and that polygamy is unlawful; and that one man is to have but one wife, and to keep to her; and that one woman is to have but one husband, and to keep to him.

1 Corinthians 7:2 In-Context

1 About the things you wrote: "It is good for a man not to have relations with a woman."

2 But because of sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband.

3 A husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise a wife to her husband.

4 A wife does not have authority over her own body, but her husband does. Equally, a husband does not have authority over his own body, but his wife does.

5 Do not deprive one another-except when you agree, for a time, to devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again; otherwise, Satan may tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

Footnotes

• [a] Lit immoralities