1 Corinthians 7:2 (ESV)

2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.

In 1 Corinthians 7:2–7 Paul shows that there are important exceptions to the general principle given in 1 Corinthians 7:1. The first exception arises from the temptation to sexual immorality. This temptation can be better resisted if sex is lawfully enjoyed, within the marriage relationship.

Where the ESV uses the phrase temptation to sexual immorality, the original text uses one word that literally means sexual immoralities. This suggests that Paul is referring to real cases of immorality in the Corinthian church (compare 1 Corinthians 6:12–20).