It is good [κ α λ ο ν]. See on John 10:11. Not merely expedient, but morally salutary. The statement, however, is made in the light of circumstances, see ver. 26, and is to be read with others, such as 2 Corinthians 11:2; Romans 7:4; Ephesians 5:28-33, in all which marriage is made the type of the u... [ Continue Reading ]
As I myself. Not unmarried, but continent. It is not necessary to assume that Paul had never been married. Marriage was regarded as a duty among the Jews, so that a man was considered to have sinned if he had reached the age of twenty without marrying. The Mishna fixed the age of marriage at sevente... [ Continue Reading ]
Cannot contain [ο υ κ ε γ κ ρ α τ ε υ ο ν τ α ι]. Rev., have not continence. Only here, and ch. 9 25, of athletes abstaining from sensual indulgences when preparing for the games. To burn. Continuous present, to burn on : continuance in unsatisfied desire.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not I, but the Lord. Referring to Christ's declarations respecting divorce, Matthew 5:31; Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:3-12. Not a distinction between an inspired and an uninspired saying. Paul means that his readers had no need to apply to him for instruction in the matter of divorce, since they had th... [ Continue Reading ]
To the rest. He has been speaking to the unmarried (ver. 8) and to married parties, both of whom were Christians (ver. 10). By the rest he means married couples, one of which remained a heathen. I, not the Lord. These cases are not included in Christ's declarations. Be pleased [σ υ ν ε υ δ ο κ ε ι]... [ Continue Reading ]
Is sanctified [η γ ι α σ τ α ι]. Not, made morally holy, but affiliated to the Christian community - the family of the agioi saints - in virtue of his being "one flesh" with his Christian wife.... [ Continue Reading ]
Is not under bondage [ο υ δ ε δ ο υ λ ω τ α ι]. A strong word, indicating that Christianity has not made marriage a state of slavery to believers. Compare dedetai is bound, ver. 39, a milder word. The meaning clearly is that willful desertion on the part of the unbelieving husband or wife sets the o... [ Continue Reading ]
But [ε ι μ η]. Rev., only. Introducing a limitation to the statement in ver 1 Corinthians 7:1 5There is to be no enslavement, only, to give no excuse for the reckless abuse of this general principle, the normal rule of Christian life is that each one should seek to abide in the position in which Go... [ Continue Reading ]
Become uncircumcised [ε π ι σ π α σ θ ω]. The reference is to the process of restoring a circumcised person to his natural condition by a surgical operation. See Josephus, "Antiquities," 12, 5, 1; 1 Macc. 1 15; Smith's "Dictionary of the Bible," Article Circumcision; Celsus, "De Re Medica," cited in... [ Continue Reading ]
Calling [κ λ η σ ε ι], Not the condition or occupation, a meaning which the word does not have in classical Greek, nor in the New Testament, where it always signifies the call of God into His kingdom through conversion. Paul means : If God's call was to you as a circumcised man or as an uncircumcise... [ Continue Reading ]
Use it rather. Whether the apostle means, use the bondage or use the freedom - whether, take advantage of the offer of freedom, or, remain in slavery - is, as Dean Stanley remarks, one of the most evenly balanced questions in the interpretation of the New Testament. The force of kai even, and the po... [ Continue Reading ]
Freeman [α π ε λ ε υ θ ε ρ ο ς]. Rev., correctly, freedman; the preposition ajp' from implying previous bondage.... [ Continue Reading ]
The servants of men. Not referring to the outward condition of bondage, but to spiritual subjection to the will and guidance of men as contrasted with Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
Virgins [π α ρ θ ε ν ω ν]. Not the unmarried of both sexes, as Bengel. The use of the word by ecclesiastical writers for an unmarried man has no warrant in classical usage, and may have arisen from the misinterpretation of Revelation 14:4, where it is employed adjectivally and metaphorically. In eve... [ Continue Reading ]
The present distress [τ η ν ε ν ε σ τ ω σ α ν α ν α γ κ η ν]. Enestwsan present may also express something which is not simply present, but the presence of which foreshadows and inaugurates something to come. Hence it may be rendered impending or setting in. See on Romans 8:38. Anagkh means original... [ Continue Reading ]
I spare you [υ μ ω ν φ ε ι δ ο μ α ι]. Rev., "I would spare," is not warranted grammatically, but perhaps avoids the ambiguity of I spare, which might be understood : I spare you further mention of these things. The meaning is : I give you these injunctions in order to spare you the tribulation of t... [ Continue Reading ]
Time [κ α ι ρ ο ς]. Not, the period of mortal life; but the time which must elapse before the Lord appears. Short [σ υ ν ε σ τ α λ μ ε ν ο ς] Rev., correctly, giving the force of the participle, shortened. Compare Mark 13:20, and see on hasting unto, 2 Peter 3:12. The word means to draw together or... [ Continue Reading ]
Without carefulness [α μ ε ρ ι μ ν ο υ ς]. Not a good translation, because carefulness has lost its earlier sense of anxiety. So Latimer : "This wicked carefulness of men, when they seek how to live - like as if there were no God at all." See on take no thought, Matthew 6:25. Rev., free from cares.... [ Continue Reading ]
There is a difference. The textual question here is very perplexing, and it is well - nigh impossible to explain the differences to the English reader. He must observe, 1st. That gunh wife is also the general term for woman, whether virgin, married, or widow. 2nd. That memeristai A. V., there is a d... [ Continue Reading ]
Snare [β ρ ο χ ο ν]. Lit., a noose or slip - knot for hanging or strangling. Thus Homer of Jocasta : "She went to Hades having suspended a noose on high from the lofty roof" (" Odyssey, " 11, 278). Sophocles, of Antigone : "We descried her hanging by the neck, slung by a thread - wrought halter of... [ Continue Reading ]
Behaveth himself uncomely [α σ χ η μ ο ν ε ι ν]. Acts unbecomingly, either by throwing temptation in the daughter's way by constraining her to remain unmarried, or by exposing her to the disgrace which was supposed to attach to the unmarried state. But Paul, in his preceding words, has regarded the... [ Continue Reading ]
Necessity [α ν α γ κ η ν]. Either outward or moral constraint. See on ver. 26, and note on Luke 14:18. Power over his own will [ε ξ ο υ σ ι α ν π ε ρ ι τ ο υ ι δ ι ο υ θ ε λ η μ α τ ο ς]. The A. V. is ambiguous, and might be understood to imply self - control. The meaning is rather : is free to act... [ Continue Reading ]
Be dead [κ ο ι μ η θ η]. Lit., have fallen asleep. See on Acts 7:60; 2 Peter 3:4; compare Romans 7:2, where the usual word for die, ajpoqanh is used. In that passage Paul is discussing the abstract question. Here the inference is more personal, which is perhaps the reason for his using the more tend... [ Continue Reading ]
Happier [μ α κ α ρ ι ω τ ε ρ α]. More blessed is preferable. The word has a higher meaning than happy. See on Matthew 5:3; Matthew 5:9; Matthew 5:9 "Such, if on high their thoughts are set, Nor in the stream the source forget, If prompt to quit the bliss they know, Following the Lamb where'er He go,... [ Continue Reading ]