Study Desk

But if the unbelieving partnerthe unbeliever">[fn] leaves, let him go. In such cases the brother or sister is not bound; God has called youus">[fn] to live in peace.Romans 12:18; 14:19; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Hebrews 12:14;">[xr]

Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but obeying God's commandments is everything.is everything">[fn]John 15:14; Galatians 5:6; 6:15; 1 John 2:3; 3:24;">[xr]

But if you do get married, you have not sinned. And if a virgin gets married, she has not sinned. However, these people will experience distress in the flesh, and I want to spare you that.

But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, that is, about how he can please his wife,

and so his attention is divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the affairs of the Lord, so that she may be holy in body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, that is, about how she can please her husband.Luke 10:40;">[xr]

I'm saying this for your benefit, not to put a noose around your necks, but to promote good order and unhindered devotion to the Lord.

However, if a man stands firm in his resolve and feels no necessity but has made up his mind to keep her a virgin, he will be acting appropriately.

So then the man who marries the virgin acts appropriately, but the man who refrains from marriage does even better.Hebrews 13:4;">[xr]

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, only in the Lord.Romans 7:2; 2 Corinthians 6:14;">[xr]

Now concerning food offered to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.Acts 15:20,29; Romans 14:3,10, 14,22; 1 Corinthians 10:19;">[xr]

But if anyone loves God, he is known by him.by him">[fn]Exodus 33:12,17; Nahum 1:7; Matthew 7:23; Galatians 4:9; 2 Timothy 2:19;">[xr]

But not everyone has this knowledge. Some people are so accustomed to idols that they still think they are eating food offered to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it becomes contaminated.Romans 14:14,23; 1 Corinthians 10:28-29;">[xr]

But you must see to it that this right of yours does not become a stumbling block to the weak.Romans 14:13,20; Galatians 5:13;">[xr]

If others enjoy this right over you, don't we have a stronger claim? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with everything in order not to put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.Acts 20:33; 1 Corinthians 9:15,18; 1 Corinthians 20:15,18, 2 Corinthians 11:7,9, 12; 12:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:6;">[xr]

But I have not used any of these rights, and I'm not writing this so that they may be applied in my case. I would rather die than let anyone deprive me of my reason forreason for">[fn] boasting.Acts 18:3; 20:34; 1 Corinthians 4:12; 9:12; 2 Corinthians 11:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:8;">[xr]

For if I do this voluntarily, I get a reward, but if I am unwilling to do it, I am still entrusted with an obligation.1 Corinthians 3:8,14; 4:1; Galatians 2:7; Philippians 1:17; Colossians 1:25;">[xr]

To those who do not have the law I became like a man who does not have the law, in order to win those who do not have the law (although I am not free from God's law, but am under the law of Christ).Romans 2:12,14; 1 Corinthians 7:22; Galatians 3:2;">[xr]

You know that in a race all the runners run but only one wins the prize, don't you? You must run in such a way that you may be victorious.Galatians 2:2; 5:7; Philippians 2:16; 3:14; 2 Timothy 4:7; Hebrews 12:1;">[xr]

Everyone who enters an athletic contest practices self-control in everything. They do it to win a wreath that dies, but we to win one that never dies.Ephesians 6:12; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 2:5; 4:7-8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:4; 5:4; Revelation 2:10; 3:11;">[xr]

But God wasn't pleased with most of them, and so they were struck down in the wilderness.Numbers 14:29,32, 35; 26:64-65; Psalm 106:26; Hebrews 3:17; Jude 1:5;">[xr]