1 Corinthians 7:6
I say this as a concession, not as a command.
BSB
ASV
But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment.
KJV
But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
But why say I these things concerning the Old Testament? For in the New also are the apostles found doing this very thing, on the ground which has been mentioned, Paul plainly declaring, "But these things I say, not the Lord." And again: "But this I speak by permission, not by commandment." And again: "Now, as concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful." But further, in another place he says: "That Satan tempt you not for your incontinence."
I speak this by permission, etc. - It was a constant custom of the more conscientious rabbins, to make a difference between the things which they enjoined on their own judgment, and those which they built on the authority of the law. Thus Rabbi Tancum: “The washing of hands before meat is in our own power; washing after meat is commanded.” In relation to this point Dr. Lightfoot produces some examples from the Jewish writers: “The man is commanded concerning begetting and multiplying, but not the woman. And when does the man come under this command?
The walk8
Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.
Through
2 Corinthians 11:17In this confident boasting of mine, I am not speaking as the Lord would, but as a fool.
leads to
To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.
Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
Through
1 Corinthians 7:12To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.
leads to
Now about virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
In this confident boasting of mine, I am not speaking as the Lord would, but as a fool.
Through
2 Corinthians 8:8I am not making a demand, but I am testing the sincerity of your love in comparison to the earnestness of others.
leads to
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.
Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
