NOW CONCERNING THE THINGS WHEREOF YE WROTE (περ δε ων εγραψατε). An ellipsis of περ τουτων, the antecedent of περ ων, is easily supplied as in papyri. The church had written Paul a letter in which a number of specific problems about marriage were raised. He answers them _seriatim_. The questions m... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE OF FORNICATIONS (δια τας πορνειας). This is not the only reason for marriage, but it is a true one. The main purpose of marriage is children. Mutual love is another. The family is the basis of all civilization. Paul does not give a low view of marriage, but is merely answering questions p... [ Continue Reading ]
RENDER THE DUE (την οφειλην αποδιδοτω). Marriage is not simply not wrong, but for many a duty. Both husband and wife have a mutual obligation to the other. "This dictum defends marital intercourse against rigorists, as that of ver. 1 Corinthians 7:1 commends celibacy against sensualists" (Findlay... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WIFE (η γυνη). The wife is mentioned first, but the equality of the sexes in marriage is clearly presented as the way to keep marriage undefiled (Hebrews 13:4). "In wedlock separate ownership of the person ceases" (Robertson and Plummer).... [ Continue Reading ]
EXCEPT IT BE BY CONSENT FOR A SEASON (ε μητ [αν] εκ συμφωνου προς καιρον). If αν is genuine, it can either be regarded as like εαν though without a verb or as loosely added after ε μητ and construed with it.THAT YE MAY GIVE YOURSELVES UNTO PRAYER (ινα σχολασητε τη προσευχη). First aorist active... [ Continue Reading ]
BY WAY OF PERMISSION (κατα συνγνωμην). Old word for pardon, concession, indulgence. _Secundum indulgentiam_ (Vulgate). Only here in N.T., though in the papyri for pardon. The word means "knowing together," understanding, agreement, and so concession.NOT OF COMMANDMENT (ου κατ' επιταγην). Late w... [ Continue Reading ]
YET I WOULD (θελω δε). "But I wish." Followed by accusative and infinitive (ανθρωπους εινα). This is Paul's personal preference under present conditions (1 Corinthians 7:26).EVEN AS I MYSELF (ως κα εμαυτον). This clearly means that Paul was not then married and it is confirmed by 1 Corinthians... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE UNMARRIED AND TO THE WIDOWS (τοις αγαμοις κα ταις χηραις). It is possible that by "the unmarried" (masculine plural) the apostle means only men since widows are added and since virgins receive special treatment later (verse 1 Corinthians 7:25) and in verse 1 Corinthians 7:32 ο αγαμος is the... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF THEY HAVE NOT CONTINENCY (ε δε ουκ εγκρατευοντα). Condition of the first class, assumed as true. Direct middle voice εγκρατευοντα, hold themselves in, control themselves.LET THEM MARRY (γαμησατωσαν). First aorist (ingressive) active imperative. Usual _Koine_ form in -τωσαν for third plur... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE MARRIED (τοις γεγαμηκοσιν). Perfect active participle of γαμεω, old verb, to marry, and still married as the tense shows.I GIVE CHARGE (παραγγελλω). Not mere wish as in verses 1 Corinthians 7:7; 1 Corinthians 7:8.NOT I, BUT THE LORD (ουκ εγω αλλα ο κυριος). Paul had no commands from Jes... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT AND IF SHE DEPART (εαν δε κα χωρισθη). Third class condition, undetermined. If, in spite of Christ's clear prohibition, she get separated (ingressive passive subjunctive),LET HER REMAIN UNMARRIED (μενετω αγαμος). Paul here makes no allowance for remarriage of the innocent party as Jesus doe... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT TO THE REST SAY I, NOT THE LORD (τοις δε λοιποις λεγω εγω, ουχ ο Κυριος). Paul has no word about marriage from Jesus beyond the problem of divorce. This is no disclaimer of inspiration. He simply means that here he is not quoting a command of Jesus.AN UNBELIEVING WIFE (γυναικα απιστον). This... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH HATH AN UNBELIEVING HUSBAND (ητις εχε ανδρα απιστον). Relative clause here, while a conditional one in verse 1 Corinthians 7:12 (ε τις, if any one). Paul is perfectly fair in stating both sides of the problem of mixed marriages.... [ Continue Reading ]
IS SANCTIFIED IN THE WIFE (ηγιαστα εν τη γυναικ). Perfect passive indicative of αγιαζω, to set apart, to hallow, to sanctify. Paul does not, of course, mean that the unbelieving husband is saved by the faith of the believing wife, though Hodge actually so interprets him. Clearly he only means tha... [ Continue Reading ]
IS NOT UNDER BONDAGE (ου δεδουλωτα). Perfect passive indicative of δουλοω, to enslave, has been enslaved, does not remain a slave. The believing husband or wife is not at liberty to separate, unless the disbeliever or pagan insists on it. Wilful desertion of the unbeliever sets the other free, a... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HOW KNOWEST THOU? (τ γαρ οιδασ;). But what does Paul mean? Is he giving an argument _against_ the believer accepting divorce or _in favour_ of doing so? The syntax allows either interpretation with ε (if) after οιδας. Is the idea in ε (if) _hope_ of saving the other or _fear_ of not saving an... [ Continue Reading ]
ONLY (ε μη). This use of ε μη as an elliptical condition is very common (1 Corinthians 7:5; Galatians 1:7; Galatians 1:19; Romans 14:14), "except that" like πλην. Paul gives a general principle as a limitation to what he has just said in verse 1 Corinthians 7:15. "It states the general principle w... [ Continue Reading ]
LET HIM NOT BECOME UNCIRCUMCIZED (μη επισπασθω). Present middle imperative of επισπαω, old verb to draw on. In LXX (I Macc. 1:15) and Josephus (_Ant_. XII, V. I) in this sense. Here only in N.T. The point is that a Jew is to remain a Jew, a Gentile to be a Gentile. Both stand on an equality in th... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE KEEPING OF THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD (αλλα τηρησις εντολων θεου). Old word in sense of watching (Acts 4:3). Paul's view of the worthlessness of circumcision or of uncircumcision is stated again in Galatians 5:6; Galatians 6:15; Romans 2:25-29 (only the inward or spiritual Jew counts).... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREIN HE WAS CALLED (η εκληθη). When he was called by God and saved, whether a Jew or a Gentile, a slave or a freeman.... [ Continue Reading ]
WAST THOU CALLED BEING A BONDSERVANT? (δουλος εκληθησ;). First aorist passive indicative. Wast thou, a slave, called?CARE NOT FOR IT (μη σο μελετω). "Let it not be a care to thee." Third person singular (impersonal) of μελε, old verb with dative σο. It was usually a fixed condition and a slave... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD'S FREEDMAN (απελευθερος Κυριου). Απελευθερος is an old word for a manumitted slave, ελευθερος from ερχομα, to go and so go free, απ- from bondage. Christ is now the owner of the Christian and Paul rejoices to call himself Christ's slave (δουλος). But Christ set us free from sin by paying... [ Continue Reading ]
YE WERE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE (τιμης ηγορασθητε). See on 1 Corinthians 6:20 for this very phrase, here repeated. Both classes (slaves and freemen) were purchased by the blood of Christ.BECOME NOT BONDSERVANTS OF MEN (μη γινεσθε δουλο ανθρωπων). Present middle imperative of γινομα with negative μη... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH GOD (παρα θεω). There is comfort in that. Even a slave can have God at his side by remaining at God's side.... [ Continue Reading ]
I HAVE NO COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD (επιταγην Κυριου ουκ εχω). A late word from επιτασσω, old Greek verb to enjoin, to give orders to. Paul did have (verse 1 Corinthians 7:10) a command from the Lord as we have in Matthew and Mark. It was quite possible for Paul to know this command of Jesus as he d... [ Continue Reading ]
I THINK THEREFORE (νομιζω ουν). Paul proceeds to express therefore the previously mentioned judgment (γνωμην) and calls it his opinion, not because he is uncertain, but simply because it is not a command, but advice.BY REASON OF THE PRESENT DISTRESS (δια την ενεστωσαν αναγκην). The participle εν... [ Continue Reading ]
ART THOU BOUND TO A WIFE? (δεδεσα γυναικι;). Perfect passive indicative of δεω, to bind, with dative case γυναικ. Marriage bond as in Romans 7:2.SEEK NOT TO BE LOOSED (μη ζητε λυσιν). Present active imperative with negative μη, "Do not be seeking release" (λυσιν) from the marriage bond, old wor... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT AND IF THOU MARRY (εαν δε κα γαμησηις). Condition of the third class, undetermined with prospect of being determined, with the ingressive first aorist (late form) active subjunctive with εαν: "But if thou also commit matrimony or get married," in spite of Paul's advice to the contrary.THOU HA... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THIS I SAY (τουτο δε φÂημ. Note φÂημ here rather than λεγÂω (verses 1 Corinthians 7:8; 1 Corinthians 7:12). A new turn is here given to the argument about the present necessity.THE TIME IS SHORTENED (ο καιρος συνεσταλμενος εστιν). Perfect periphrastic passive indicative of συστελλω, old verb... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THOUGH THEY POSSESSED NOT (ως μη κατεχοντες). See this use of κατεχω, old verb to hold down (Luke 14:9), to keep fast, to possess, in 2 Corinthians 6:10. Paul means that all earthly relations are to hang loosely about us in view of the second coming.... [ Continue Reading ]
THOSE THAT USE THE WORLD (ο χρωμενο τον κοσμον). Old verb χραομα, usually with the instrumental case, but the accusative occurs in some Cretan inscriptions and in late writers according to a tendency of verbs to resume the use of the original accusative (Robertson, _Grammar_, p. 468).AS NOT ABUSI... [ Continue Reading ]
FREE FROM CARES (αμεριμνους). Old compound adjective (α privative and μεριμνα, anxiety). In N.T. only here and Matthew 28:14 which see.THE THINGS OF THE LORD (τα του Κυριου). The ideal state (so as to the widow and the virgin in verse 1 Corinthians 7:33), but even the unmarried do let the cares... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THERE IS A DIFFERENCE ALSO BETWEEN THE WIFE AND THE VIRGIN (κα μεμεριστα κα η γυνη κα η παρθενος). But the text here is very uncertain, almost hopelessly so. Westcott and Hort put κα μεμεριστα in verse 1 Corinthians 7:33 and begin a new sentence with κα η γυνη and add η αγαμος after η γυνη, m... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR YOUR OWN PROFIT (προς το υμων αυτων συμφορον). Old adjective, advantageous, with neuter article here as substantive, from verb συμφερω. In N.T. here only and 1 Corinthians 10:33. Note reflexive plural form υμων αυτων.NOT THAT I MAY CAST A SNARE UPON YOU (ουχ ινα βροχον υμιν επιβαλω). Βροχον... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT HE BEHAVETH HIMSELF UNSEEMLY (ασχημονειν). Old verb, here only in N.T., from ασχημων (1 Corinthians 12:23), from α privative and σχημα. Occurs in the papyri. Infinitive in indirect discourse after νομιζε (thinks) with ε (condition of first class, assumed as true).IF SHE BE PAST THE FLOWER OF... [ Continue Reading ]
TO KEEP HIS OWN VIRGIN DAUGHTER (τηρειν την εαυτου παρθενον). This means the case when the virgin daughter does not wish to marry and the father agrees with her,HE SHALL DO WELL (καλως ποιησε).... [ Continue Reading ]
DOETH WELL (καλως ποιε). So Paul commends the father who gives his daughter in marriage (γαμιζε). This verb γαμιζω has not been found outside the N.T. See on Matthew 22:30.SHALL DO BETTER (κρεισσον ποιησε). In view of the present distress (1 Corinthians 7:26) and the shortened time (1 Corinthia... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR SO LONG TIME AS HER HUSBAND LIVETH (εφ' οσον χρονον ζη ο ανηρ αυτης). While he lives (τω ζωντ ανδρ) Paul says in Romans 7:2. This is the ideal and is pertinent today when husbands meet their ex-wives and wives meet their ex-husbands. There is a screw loose somewhere. Paul here treats as a sor... [ Continue Reading ]
HAPPIER (μακαριωτερα). Comparative of μακαριος used in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3).AFTER MY JUDGMENT (κατα την εμην γνωμην). The same word used in verse 1 Corinthians 7:25, not a command.I THINK (δοκω). From δοκεω, not νομιζω of verse 1 Corinthians 7:26. But he insists that he has "the spiri... [ Continue Reading ]