Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Corinthians 7:36

By a contrastive δὲ P. passes from the εὔσχημον at which his dissuasive was aimed, to the ἀσχημονεῖν that might be thought to result in some cases from following it. The vb [1202] (= ἀσχήμωι εἶναι) signifies either to act unbecomingly (1 Corinthians 13:5), or to suffer disgrace, turpem videri (Vg [1203]); the antithesis, and the ad junct ἐπὶ τὴν παρθένον, dictate the former sense, which is post-classical. On νομίζε (is of opinion), see 1 Corinthians 7:26. It was socially discreditable, both amongst Greeks and Jews (cf. Sir 42:9), to keep one's daughter at home, without obvious reason, for any long period beyond adult age; a Christian father might feel this discredit for his religion's sake (cf. 1 Corinthians 10:32), and might be reproached as doing his child and society a wrong. ἐὰν ᾖ ὑπέρακμος, “if she be past the bloom (of youth)” the μέτριος χρόνος ἀκμῆς, fixed by Plato (Rep., vi., 460 E) at twenty, the œtas nubilis. καὶ οὕτως ὀφείλει (see parls.) γίνεσθαι “and so matters ought to proceed” (pr [1204] inf [1205]) states a further presumable reason for consent: duty may require it where, e.g., the girl has been promised, or is so situated that a continued veto may give rise to peril or scandal (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:2). In such circumstances the father's course is clear: “let him do what he wills” (θέλει); cf. 1 Corinthians 7:35. γαμείτωσαν i.e., the daughter and her suitor, the claim of the latter being hinted at in the previous ὀφείλει : pr [1206] impv [1207]; “Let the marriage take its course”.

[1202] verb

[1203] Latin Vulgate Translation.

[1204] present tense.

[1205] infinitive mood.

[1206] present tense.

[1207] imperative mood.

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Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

1 Corinthians 7:36

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