The first scruple or case of conscience which the Corinthians wrote to the apostle about was concerning marriage. Amongst many other wicked opinions, which the Gnostics, those ancient heretics, maintained, this was one, That marriage was from the devil. Our apostle elsewhere, Hebrews 13:4, asserts m... [ Continue Reading ]
As if the apostle had said, "Such are the inclinations of human nature, that every man cannot always do that which is most for his own quiet and ease, but men find the strength of lust and the power of concupiscence so strong in themselves, that marriage, which is God's ordinance for avoiding fornic... [ Continue Reading ]
Observe here, 1. That matrimonial conversation, or the husband's and wife's performing towards each other all the duties of marriage which they promised, is an act of justice, which they owe to one another: this is intimated in the word RENDER, and consequently to deny the same is injustice and frau... [ Continue Reading ]
As if the apostle had said, "Mistake me not, as if. imposed marriage upon all persons as. duty: no, but. declare it is permitted to all as. remedy against fornication; for so far am. from that, that. could wish all men were unmarried, even as. myself am, and that they had the gift of continence with... [ Continue Reading ]
As if the apostle had said, Although it be no sin to marry, yet it is. sin to depart when married; herein. lay the authority of God's command upon you, that you agree together, and that no difference which may arise between you cause you to separate and live asunder. But to marry upon departure, is.... [ Continue Reading ]
1. Here we have another case of conscience put by the Corinthians to the apostle; namely, whether such husbands as had HEATHEN and INFIDEL wives might put them away? And whether such wives as had INFIDEL husbands, might not, and ought not, to depart from them? The apostle resolves the case, That t... [ Continue Reading ]
Here another doubt is resolved by the apostle, in case the unbelieving party, either husband or wife, depart, that is, refuse to cohabit and dwell with their believing yoke-fellow, and so make void, as much as in him or her lieth, the marriage-bond, out of hatred to the faith. In that case, if they... [ Continue Reading ]
Here the apostle proceeds to exhort the Corinthians to be content with the lot and condition which God had distributed unto them, and to frame themselves to walk Christianly in it. Particularly he shows, That if any person amongst them were. native Jew, and so circumcised, and afterwards converted... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle seems to intimate from these words, that some persons converted to Christianity in the primitive times, apprehended that thereupon they must leave their worldly callings and employments, as if they were snares to them, or unnecessary diversions from better things. No, says the apostle,... [ Continue Reading ]
The next case, which our apostle comes to resolve, is concerning virgins; whether they, being at their own disposal, should marry or keep themselves single? He tells them, first, that he had no special command whereby the state of virginity was either enjoined or prohibited, but he would faithfully... [ Continue Reading ]
As if he had said, "Let all persons, both married and unmarried, consider that the time of this life is short and passing; it is but. point of time we have to live, and shortly it will not be. pin to choose whether we had wives or not, or children or not; but before the expected fruits or the comfor... [ Continue Reading ]
Here our apostle subjoins another reason why. single life is to be preferred before. married life; namely, because single persons are comparatively more free from cares and distractions, and have commonly more time and leisure to attend upon the Lord in religious duties. For the unmarried man has bu... [ Continue Reading ]
The next case, which our apostle speaks to, is concerning virgins, who are under the power of others, (and not at their own disposal,) as parents and guardians, namely, whether it be best and most advisable for them to dispose of their virgins in marriage or not? The apostle answers, that in this c... [ Continue Reading ]
The apostle concludes the chapter with. resolution of the case of conscience; namely, whether second marriages of widows were lawful or not? He answers, They were. After the first husband was dead, the widow might marry again, provided that she married in the Lord: that is, with. believer, not an i... [ Continue Reading ]