First Corinthians 7:6 tells you that Paul is offering a permission, not laying down a rule. When he says “this I say by way of concession, not of commandment,” he is separating what he personally suggests from what the Lord requires. The verse was written by the apostle Paul to the church in Corinth, a congregation that had written to him with questions about marriage, sexual intimacy, and singleness.
But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment.
1 Corinthians 7:6 (WEB)
What 1 Corinthians 7:6 Means
The phrase “by way of concession” means that Paul is granting something rather than demanding it. In the verses just before this one, he has said that spouses should not withhold themselves from each other, except by mutual agreement for a limited season devoted to prayer and fasting. Verse 6 clarifies that the time apart is allowed, but Paul is not ordering it. The arrangement is a matter of mutual consent and wise judgment, not a rule every couple must follow.
The phrase “not of commandment” is the important contrast. Paul does not say the Lord commanded this, and in verse 10 he will note when he is quoting Jesus directly. Here he is speaking as one who has discernment and authority in the church, offering counsel that the Corinthians may accept or adapt to their circumstances.
The verse does not promise that a season of prayer will produce any particular result, and it does not say that spiritual retreat is required for holiness. It simply recognizes that such a pause is an option a married couple may choose, provided both agree and it is temporary.
The Context of 1 Corinthians 7:6
First Corinthians was written by Paul to a young church in the Greek port city of Corinth, a place known for its commerce and for its wide range of sexual attitudes and practices. The letter responds both to reports of problems within the congregation and to specific questions the Corinthians sent him. Chapter 7 begins with “Now concerning the things about which you wrote,” which signals that Paul is answering a list of practical questions about marriage and celibacy.
Verses 3 through 5 establish a principle of mutual obligation within marriage, and verse 6 follows immediately as a qualifier. Read that way, the verse is not a loophole that weakens the earlier command. It is Paul’s careful way of showing that a temporary, agreed-upon pause for prayer belongs to a different category than the ongoing duty of affection. Seeing that structure keeps the verse from being read as a general statement that Paul is unsure about God’s will.
Key Phrases in 1 Corinthians 7:6
1 Corinthians 7:7
Yet I wish that all men were like me. However each man has his own gift from God, one of this kind, and another of that kind.
(WEB)
Verse 7 follows directly and shows that Paul sees each person as having a particular gift from God, whether for marriage or for singleness. It helps explain why he presents his views as personal counsel rather than a single rule for everyone, since God distributes gifts in varied ways.
1 Corinthians 7:9
But if they don’t have self-control, let them marry. For it’s better to marry than to burn.
(WEB)
Verse 9 continues the flow of Paul’s answer to the Corinthians, addressing those who lack self-control and recommending marriage as a faithful path for them. Reading it alongside verse 6 shows that Paul consistently speaks with pastoral wisdom, weighing each person’s situation before giving guidance.
A Short Prayer From 1 Corinthians 7:6
Father, thank you for the freedom you give us to seek your face together and to make wise choices in our homes. When we feel pressure to do what others expect, help us to listen carefully to one another and to you. Give us honesty to speak plainly, humility to yield where we should, and patience to trust your timing in every season. Guide our decisions so that they draw us closer to you and to each other. Amen.
