1 Corinthians 7:37

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

But [another] man, who has a conviction in his heart [about the matter], and does not feel it is necessary [to get married], but has control over his will [i.e., his sexual passion], and has made up his mind to keep [from marrying] his own virgin [fiancée] --- that man is doing the right thing [also].

Cross References

1 Corinthians 7:1

I now want to reply to the matters you people wrote me about. It is [a] good [idea] for a man not to get married. [Note: The words “to get married” here are “to touch” in the Greek and probably refer to sexual relations within marriage. This advice, not a prohibition, is further explained in verses 26-35].

1 Corinthians 7:36

But if any man thinks he is [being tempted to] behave improperly toward his virgin [fiancée], and she is past prime [marriageable] age, and feels the need [to get married] [Note: The Greek says “and so it has to be”], he should do what he wants; they should get married --- that man has not sinned.

1 Corinthians 7:38

So then, the man who marries his virgin [fiancée] is doing the right thing and the man who does not marry her is doing [even] better.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each person should give what he has decided to in his heart, not grudgingly, nor out of a feeling that he has to, for God loves a cheerful giver.

1 Peter 5:2

You should serve as shepherds of God’s flock [i.e., the church], among whom you minister, providing careful oversight [of the people], not because you feel forced to, but because you want to, as this is in accordance with the way God wants it to be. Do not [serve as elders] simply out of a desire for the income you receive, but because your heart is in it.