1 Corinthians 7:8-9

1 Corinthians 7:8-9 re-state the answer given in 1 Corinthians 7:1-2 to the question concerning celibacy v. marriage. “But I say to the unmarried and the widows, it is right (καλόν; cf. 1 Corinthians 7:1) for them if they remain as indeed I (am).” The Ap. extends the reassurance given in 1 Corinthians 7:1, and fortifies it by his own example, so that those out of wedlock who were under no constraint to enter its bonds might be free from misgiving and reproach. τοῖς ἀγάμοις, in contrast to τοῖς γεγαμηκόσιν, 1 Corinthians 7:10 : the term is masc. “to unmarried men”; the case of “maidens” is discussed later (1 Corinthians 7:25 ff.). “The widows,” who would frequently have the disposal of themselves, are included here they are advised again to the like effect in 1 Corinthians 7:39 f. Holsten omits καὶ ταῖς χήραις as out of place; Bois ingeniously suggests that this may be a primitive corruption for καὶ τοῖς χήροις, “the widowers”. As the πορνείαι without (1 Corinthians 7:2), so ἀκρασία within (1 Corinthians 7:5) might make abstention from marriage perilous; hence the qualification added in 1 Corinthians 7:9 : “But if they have not self-control, let them marry; for better it is to marry than to burn on (with desire)”. πυροῦσθαι, pr [1026] of continued state “occulta flamma concupiscentiæ vastari” (Aug [1027]); the vb [1028] is used of any consuming passion, as in 2 Corinthians 11:29. Not “ better in so far as marriage is sinless, burning is sinful (Matthew 5:28),” so Mr [1029]; if marriage and parenthood are holy (1 Corinthians 7:14), the fire which burns toward that end surely may be so “the sacred lowe o' weel-placed love”; but “better” as the unsatisfied craving is a continual temptation, and according to the rule of 1 Corinthians 7:35. Better to marry than to burn; but if marriage is impossible, better infinitely to burn than to sin.

[1026] present tense.

[1027] Augustine.

[1028] verb

[1029] Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary (Eng. Trans.).