Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 7:9
But if they cannot control themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses unmarried men and widows in Corinth, immediately following his counsel in 1 Corinthians 7:8 that remaining single is good. He speaks at this moment to provide a practical alternative for those lacking the capacity for celibacy.
The words — ἐγκρατεύονται (egkrateuontai) literally means "they exercise self-control," while γαμησάτωσαν (gamēsatōsan) issues the command "let them marry." These terms establish marriage as the designated outlet for those who cannot maintain sexual restraint.
The thread — This directive aligns with 1 Corinthians 7:2, which prescribes marriage to prevent sexual immorality, and 1 Timothy 5:11 and 1 Timothy 5:14, which warn that unchecked passion draws younger widows away from Christ and advises marriage to manage it.
Why it lands — The text commands those unable to control their desires to enter marriage rather than endure destructive longing. It requires a concrete commitment to covenant fidelity over the failure of solitary restraint.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 7:2 But because there is so much sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband.
- 1 Timothy 5:14 So I advise the younger widows to marry, have children, and manage their households, denying the adversary occasion for slander.
- 1 Timothy 5:11 But refuse to enroll younger widows. For when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry,
- 1 Corinthians 7:28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
- 1 Corinthians 7:36 However, if someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his betrothed, and if she is beyond her youth and they ought to marry, let him do as he wishes; he is not sinning; they should get married.
- 1 Corinthians 7:39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, as long as he belongs to the Lord.