This chapter commences the second part or division of this Epistle, or, “the discussion of those points which had been submitted to the apostle in a letter from the church at Corinth, for his instruction and advice.” See the Introduction to the Epistle. The letter in which they proposed the question... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW, CONCERNING ... - In reply to your inquiries. The first, it seems, was in regard to the propriety of marriage; that is, whether it was lawful and expedient. IT IS GOOD - It is well. It is fit, convenient, or, it is suited to the present circumstances, or, the thing itself is well and expedient i... [ Continue Reading ]
NEVERTHELESS - But (δὲ de). Though this is to be admitted as proper where it can be done, when a man has entire control of himself and his passions, and though in present circumstances it would be expedient, yet it may be proper also to enter into the marriage connection. TO AVOID FORNICATION - Gre... [ Continue Reading ]
LET THE HUSBAND ... - “Let them not imagine that there is any virtue in bring separate from each other, as if they were in a state of celibacy” - “Doddridge.” They are bound to each other; in every way they are to evince kindness, and to seek to promote the happiness and purity of each other. There... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WIFE HATH NOT POWER ... - By the marriage covenant that power, in this respect, is transferred to the husband, AND LIKEWISE, ALSO, THE HUSBAND - The equal rights of husband and wife, in the Scriptures, are everywhere maintained. They are to regard themselves as united in most intimate union, an... [ Continue Reading ]
DEFRAUD YE NOT ... - Of the right mentioned above. Withdraw not from the society of each other. EXCEPT IT BE WITH CONSENT - With a mutual understanding, that you may engage in the extraordinary duties of religion; compare Exodus 19:15. AND COME TOGETHER AGAIN ... - Even by mutual consent, the apos... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I SPEAK THIS BY PERMISSION ... - It is not quite certain whether the word “this” (τοῦτο touto), in this verse, refers to what precedes, or to what follows. On this commentators are divided. The more natural and obvious interpretation would be to refer it to the preceding statement. I am incline... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR I WOULD ... - I would prefer. THAT ALL MEN ... - That Paul was unmarried is evident from 1 Corinthians 9:5. But he does not refer to this fact here. When he wishes that all people were like himself, he evidently does not intend that he would prefer that all should be unmarried, for this would b... [ Continue Reading ]
IT IS GOOD FOR THEM - It may be advisable, in the present circumstances of persecution and distress, not to be encumbered with the cares and anxieties of a family; see 1 Corinthians 7:26, 1 Corinthians 7:32. The word unmarried (ἀγάμοις agamois) may refer either to those who had never been married,... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF THEY CANNOT CONTAIN - If they have not the gift of continence; if they cannot be secure against temptation; if they have not strength of virtue enough to preserve them from the danger of sin, and of bringing reproach and scandal on the church. IT IS BETTER - It is to be preferred. THAN TO B... [ Continue Reading ]
AND UNTO THE MARRIED - This verse commences the second subject of inquiry; to wit, whether it was proper, in the existing state of things, for those who were married to continue this relation, or whether they ought to separate. The reasons why any may have supposed that it was best to separate, may... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT AND IF SHE DEPART - If she have withdrawn by a rash and foolish act; if she has attempted to dissolve the marriage vow, she is to remain unmarried, or be reconciled. She is not at liberty to marry another. This may refer, I suppose, to instances where wives, ignorant of the rule of Christ, and s... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT TO THE REST - “I have spoken in regard to the duties of the unmarried, and the question whether it is right and advisable that they should marry, 1 Corinthians 7:1. I have also uttered the command of the Lord in regard to those who are married, and the question whether separation and divorce wer... [ Continue Reading ]
LET HER NOT LEAVE HIM - A change of phraseology from the last verse, to suit the circumstances. The wife did not have power to “put away” the husband, and expel him from his own home; but she might think it her duty to be separated from him. The apostle counsels her not to do this; and this advice s... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE UNBELIEVING HUSBAND - The husband that is not a Christian; who still remains a pagan, or an impenitent man. The apostle here states reasons why a separation should not take place when there was a difference of religion between the husband and the wife. The first is, that the unbelieving husb... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF THE UNBELIEVING DEPART - If they choose to leave you. LET HIM DEPART - You cannot prevent it, and you are to submit to it patiently, and bear it as a Christian. A BROTHER OR A SISTER IS NOT UNDER BONDAGE ... - Many have supposed that this means that they would be at liberty to marry again w... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR WHAT KNOWEST THOU ... - The apostle here assigns a reason why the believing party should not separate from the other needlessly, or why he should not desire to be separated. The reason is, the possibility, or the probability, that the unbelieving party might be converted by the example and entre... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT AS GOD HATH DISTRIBUTED ... - As God hath divided (ἐμέρισεν emerisen); that is, given, imparted to anyone. As God has given grace to everyone. The words εἰ μὴ ei mē denote simply but in the beginning of this verse. The apostle here introduces a new subject; or an inquiry varying somewhat fr... [ Continue Reading ]
IS ANY MAN CALLED? - Does anyone become a Christian? See the note at 1 Corinthians 1:26. BEING CIRCUMCISED - Being a native-born Jew, or having become a Jewish proselyte, and having submitted to the initiatory rite of the Jewish religion. LET HIM NOT BECOME UNCIRCUMCISED - This could not be literal... [ Continue Reading ]
CIRCUMCISION IS NOTHING ... - It is of no consequence in itself. It is not that which God requires now. And the mere external rite can be of no consequence one way or the other. The heart is all; and that is what God demands; see the notes at Romans 2:29. BUT THE KEEPING OF THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD... [ Continue Reading ]
LET EVERY MAN ABIDE - Let him remain or continue. IN THE SAME CALLING - The same occupation, profession, rank of life. We use the word “calling” in the same sense to denote the occupation or profession of a man. Probably the original idea which led people to designate a profession as a CallinG was t... [ Continue Reading ]
BEING A SERVANT - (δοῦλος doulos). A slave. Slaves abounded in Greece and in every part of the pagan world. Athens, e. g., had, in her best days, 20,000 freemen, and 400,000 slaves. See the condition of the pagan world on this subject illustrated at length, and in a very learned manner, by B. B. Ed... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HE THAT IS CALLED IN THE LORD - He that is called by the Lord; he that becomes a Christian. BEING A SERVANT - A slave when he is converted. IS THE LORD’S FREEMAN - Margin, “Made free” (ἀπελεύθερος apeleutheros). Is manumitted, made free, endowed with liberty by the Lord. This is designed evid... [ Continue Reading ]
YE ARE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE - Though you are slaves to people, yet you have been purchased for God by the blood of His Son; see the note at 1 Corinthians 6:20. You are, therefore, in his sight of inestimable worth, and are bound to be His. BE NOT YE THE SERVANTS OF MEN - That is, “Do not regard yours... [ Continue Reading ]
BRETHREN ... - ; see the note at 1 Corinthians 7:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT CONCERNING VIRGINS - This commences the “third” subject on which the opinion of Paul seems to have been asked by the church at Corinth - whether it was proper that those who had unmarried daughters, or wards, should give them in marriage. The reason why this question was proposed may have been,... [ Continue Reading ]
I SUPPOSE - I think; I give the following advice. FOR THE PRESENT DISTRESS - In the present state of trial. The word “distress” (ἀνάγκην anagkēn, necessity) denotes calamity, persecution, trial, etc.; see Luke 21:23. The word rendered “present” (ἐνεστῶσαν enestōsan) denotes that which “urges... [ Continue Reading ]
ART THOU BOUND UNTO A WIFE? - Art thou already married? Marriage is often thus represented as a “tie,” a “bond,” etc.; see the note at Romans 7:2. SEEK NOT TO BE LOOSED - Seek not a “dissolution” (λύσιν lusin) of the connection, either by divorce or by a separation from each other; see the notes o... [ Continue Reading ]
THOU HAST NOT SINNED - There is no express command of God on this subject. The counsel which I give is mere advice, and it may be observed or not as you shall judge best. Marriage is honorable and lawful; and though there may be circumstances where it is advisable not to enter into this relation, ye... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THIS I SAY - Whether you are married or not, or in whatever condition of life you may be, I would remind you that life hastens to a close, and that its grand business is to be prepared to die. It matters little in what condition or rank of life we are, if we are ready to depart to another and a... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY THAT WEEP - They who are afflicted. AS THOUGH THEY WEPT NOT - Restraining and moderating their grief by the hope of the life to come. “The general idea in all these expressions is, that in whatever situation Christians are, they should be dead to the world, and not improperly affected by pa... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY THAT USE THIS WORLD - That make a necessary and proper use of it to furnish raiment, food, clothing, medicine, protection, etc. It is right so to use the world, for it was made for these purposes. The word using here refers to the lawful use of it (χρώμενοι chrōmenoi). AS NOT ABUSING IT -... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT I WOULD HAVE YOU - I would advise you to such a course of life as should leave you without carefulness My advice is regulated by that wish, and that wish guides me in giving it. WITHOUT CAREFULNESS - (ἀμερίμνους amerimnous). Without anxiety, solicitude, care; without such a necessary attentio... [ Continue Reading ]
CARETH FOR THE THINGS OF THE WORLD - Is under a necessity of giving attention to the things of the world; or cannot give his undivided attention and interest to the things of religion. This would be especially true in times of persecution. HOW HE MAY PLEASE HIS WIFE - How he may gratify her; how he... [ Continue Reading ]
BETWEEN A WIFE AND A VIRGIN, - Between a woman that is married and one that is unmarried. The apostle says that a similar difference between the condition of her that is married and her that is unmarried takes place, which had been observed between the married and the unmarried man. The Greek word h... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR YOUR OWN PROFIT - That you may avail yourselves of all your advantages and privileges, and pursue such a course as shall tend most to advance your personal piety and salvation. NOT THAT I MAY CAST A SNARE UPON YOU - The word rendered “snare” (βρόχον brochon) means a cord, a rope, a bond; and th... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT HE BEHAVETH HIMSELF UNCOMELY - Acts an unbecoming part, imposes an unnecessary, painful, and improper constraint, crosses her inclinations which are in them selves proper. TOWARD HIS VIRGIN - His daughter, or his ward, or any unmarried female committed to his care. IF SHE PASS THE FLOWER OF H... [ Continue Reading ]
NEVERTHELESS - But. The apostle in this verse states some instances where it would not be proper to give a daughter in marriage; and the verse is a kind of summing up of all that be had said on the subject. THAT STANDETH STEADFAST IN HIS HEART ... - Most commentators have understood this of the fat... [ Continue Reading ]
DOETH WELL - Does right; violates no law in it, and is not to be blamed for it. DOETH BETTER - Does that which is on the whole to be preferred, if it can be done. He more certainly, in the present circumstances, consults her happiness by withholding her from the marriage connection than he could by... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WIFE IS BOUND ... - ; see the notes at Romans 7:2. ONLY IN THE LORD - That is, only to one who is a Christian; with a proper sense of her obligations to Christ, and so as to promote his glory. The apostle supposed that could not be done if she were allowed to marry a pagan, or one of a differen... [ Continue Reading ]
IF SHE SO ABIDE - If she remain a widow even if she could be married to a Christian. AFTER MY JUDGMENT - In my opinion; 1 Corinthians 7:25. AND I THINK ALSO THAT I HAVE THE SPIRIT OF GOD - Macknight and others suppose that this phrase implies entire certainty; and that Paul means to affirm that in... [ Continue Reading ]