1 Corinthians 7:6

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

But I am telling you this by way of [granting you] permission and not as a command.

Cross References

1 Corinthians 7:10

Now I command married people, although it is [really] the Lord’s command [See. Mark 10:2-12]: A wife should not separate from her husband. [Note: This act implies the intention of pursuing a legal and permanent breach of the marriage relationship by divorce. “Separate” and “divorce” appear to be used interchangeably in this section. See verses 11-15].

1 Corinthians 7:12

But I, not the Lord, say this to the rest of you [Note: Paul now addresses the matter of mixed marriages, a circumstance Jesus never taught about]: If any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she agrees to continue living with him [Note: In these verses Paul addresses a situation where one marriage partner is converted after they are married], he should not divorce her.

1 Corinthians 7:25

Now I have no command from the Lord concerning [what you wrote about] unmarried women. [Note: The word here is “virgins” but some think it includes both males and females]. But I give my advice as someone who has received the Lord’s mercy to be counted trustworthy.

1 Corinthians 7:40

But she will be happier if she remains as she is [i.e., single]. This is my advice and I think that I, too, have God’s Holy Spirit.

2 Corinthians 11:17

What I am saying in this boastful [show of] confidence is not what the Lord would [say], but is [just plain] “foolishness.”

2 Corinthians 8:8

I am not saying this [to you] as a command, but by telling you how eager others are [to help], to find out how genuine your love is also.