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 ]