1 Corinthians 7:5 Meaning and Explanation
“Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Spouses should not withhold themselves from each other except briefly, by mutual agreement, for devoted prayer.
What Does 1 Corinthians 7:5 Mean?
Having said each spouse belongs to the other, Paul warns against "defrauding" -- robbing the other of what is owed. Any season of abstinence must be by consent, limited in time, and devoted to prayer. Then they are to come together again.
Paul takes seriously both the call to prayer and the reality of temptation. Withholding intimacy as a weapon, or out of misplaced piety, can open a door to the tempter. Marriage is meant to be a steady shelter, where faithfulness is nourished rather than strained. Even seasons set apart for God are temporary and shared, never a wedge driven between husband and wife.
1 Corinthians 7:5 in the Original Language
apostereo (ἀποστερέω), 'defraud' -- to deprive someone of what rightfully belongs to them.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 7:5
What does 1 Corinthians 7:5 mean?
Spouses should not withhold themselves from each other except briefly, by mutual agreement, for devoted prayer.