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NASB | 1 Corinthians 7:9 But if they do not have self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 7:9 But if they do not have [sufficient] self-control, they should marry; for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. |
Subject: is it wrong to masterbate? |
Bible Note: l Corinthians 7:1b,..."it is good for a man not to touch a woman." In this day and age of equality, we'd have to say also that it is good for a woman not to touch a man. Verse 2, "But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband." We can't all find a mate or keep a mate but if we seek one we seek a person that is not taken. "The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does." This is saying that the husband and wife have to be available and capable. They don't deprive each other of sexual activities, and in regard to your question, they don't masturbate if its going to interfere with their fulfilling their duty to each other. If they need some time for themselves and their relationship with God, they agree on a time period, and then fulfill their duty to their marital commitments when they come together again. Personally, I would think that they could masturbate during this time period. I wouldn't command it, but it could be plausible and understandable. Is that what Paul is saying? I think that if you want to be celibate and have sexual feelings and you don't masturbate, then you can be tempted by Satan all the more. But I'm not commanding you. It's certainly best to think on other things and pray. Just remember that the feelings will still be there and Satan will continue to tempt you to enter into sin and not be celibate. You may be tempted at a time when you don't expect it. Charlie Shedd, a writer when I was growing up and considering these things, was said to have called masturbation a "gift from God". Whether he was considering l Cor 7:7 or not I don't know. But there are certainly people with physical handicaps but yet with sexual needs that would consider it a gift. I would say that masturbation is self-control. Use it for a time if you need to, but spend time in prayer and you can use your time of singleness to do the work of God that married people don't have the time to do. l Cor 7:323, "But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is conceerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit;...This I say for your own benefit; not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord." I hope whatever I said that is from God may be helpful to you. |