_(A) ANSWER TO QUESTIONS ABOUT MARRIAGE_ The Corinthians had in their letter (1 Corinthians 7:1) asked St. Paul's opinion on several points connectedwithmarriage. His language in reply is guarded; he speaks with some diffidence; he constantly admits exceptions and lays down restrictions. This makes... [ Continue Reading ]
THE THINGS WHEREOF YE WROTE] Probably most of the rest of the Epistle is taken up with answers to these questions, and considerations arising out of them. It is not clear whether the letter from the Corinthians suggested that celibacy ought to be universal, or deprecated it as unnatural, or asked, a... [ Continue Reading ]
_To avoid_ FORNICATION] which was very prevalent at Corinth. St. Paul treats of the higher aspect of marriage elsewhere (Ephesians 5:26; Ephesians 5:33). EVERY (RV 'each') .. HIS OWN] Concubinage and polygamy are forbidden.... [ Continue Reading ]
DUE BENEVOLENCE] RV 'her due'; i.e. primarily, cohabitation.... [ Continue Reading ]
TO FASTING AND PRAYER] RV 'unto prayer,' omitting 'fasting' on the authority of the best MSS. So Mark 9:29. FOR YOUR INCONTINENCY] i.e. through your lack of self-control.... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS] Perhaps 1 Corinthians 7:5 more probably, all he has said in recommendation of marriage from 1 Corinthians 7:2 onwards.... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN AS I MYSELF] i.e. able through self-control to lead a celibate life. HIS PROPER GIFT] He to whom God has denied _this_ ability, has received some other gift from Him. St. Paul must have been unmarried, or, just possibly, a widower. 8-16. Consequent advice or commands. (_a_) 8, 9. To the unmarr... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN AS I] i.e. unmarried and without desire for marriage.... [ Continue Reading ]
NOT I, BUT THE LORD] This exhortation is confirmed by the Lord's own authority (Matthew 5:32; Matthew 19:4) which forbids divorce. This is one of the passages which show St. Paul's acquaintance with Christ's teaching, and the supreme authority he attached to it: cp. 1 Timothy 6:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
I, NOT THE LORD] Christ had said nothing about mixed marriages; the Apostle is left to his own judgment: cp. 1 Corinthians 7:40. He does not encourage mixed marriages (2 Corinthians 6:14), but is thinking of cases where husband or wife has been converted since marriage.... [ Continue Reading ]
IS SANCTIFIED] i.e. brought into the Christian sphere, under Christian influences. NOW ARE THEY HOLY] i.e. regarded as Christian children; as are still more evidently the children of two Christian parents. This phrase 'enunciates the principles which leads to infant baptism, viz. that the child of C... [ Continue Reading ]
A BROTHER OR A SISTER] the Christian partner. NOT UNDER BONDAGE] i.e. is not bound to continue with the other. 15, 16. GOD HATH CALLED US TO (RV 'in') PEACE.. SAVE _thy_ WIFE] 1 Corinthians 7:16 either (_a_) continues the thought of 1 Corinthians 7:15—God's aim for us is peace, which will here be be... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT] RV 'only'; I only lay down the general rule. HATH DISTRIBUTED] i.e. his condition and circumstances of life.... [ Continue Reading ]
CIRCUMCISED.. UNCIRCUMCISED] Used metaphorically, 'If any Jew has been converted, let him remain a Christian Jew; if a Gentile is converted, let him not seek to become a Jew, but remain a Christian Gentile.'... [ Continue Reading ]
CIRCUMCISION IS NOTHING] cp. Galatians 5:6; Galatians 6:15; Romans 2:25. 'Not nationality but obedience to God determines Christian character' (Stevens).... [ Continue Reading ]
CALLING] not 'occupation in life,' but 'condition in which God's call found him.' St. Paul lays this down, not as a universal, but as a good general rule: cp. 1 Corinthians 7:9; 1 Corinthians 7:15; 1 Corinthians 7:28.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT IF THOU MAYEST BE MADE FREE, USE IT RATHER] an ambiguous sentence, like 1 Corinthians 7:16. 'It' may mean 'slavery' or 'freedom.' Either 'even if you have an opportunity of freedom, remain a slave'—this suits the immediate context—or, 'but if you have an opportunity of freedom, take it.' This wo... [ Continue Reading ]
FREEMAN] RV 'freedman'; set free from sin (John 8:34; Romans 8:2; Galatians 5:1), but still owing service to Him who freed him. CHRIST'S SERVANT] RV 'bondservant'; bought by Him 'whose service is perfect freedom.'... [ Continue Reading ]
BOUGHT WITH A PRICE] cp. 1 Corinthians 6:20. SERVANTS] (RV 'bondservants') OF MEN] i.e. slavishly yielding to their desires; slaves to custom or public opinion: cp. 2 Corinthians 11:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITH GOD] i.e. in His presence, consciously doing His will. 25-38. Marriage of virgins. The Corinthians seem to have asked particularly whether fathers ought to give their daughters in marriage. St. Paul now comes to this point, first, however, going into the question of marriage generally, and givi... [ Continue Reading ]
VIRGINS] i.e. unmarried daughters. The Roman law endeavoured to make marriage universal; and the Jewish view was similar. NO COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD] either laid down by Him while on earth (see on 1 Corinthians 7:10), or imparted by special revelation. TO BE FAITHFUL] i.e. to give a trustworthy opi... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PRESENT DISTRESS] Perhaps persecution, which, however, is not elsewhere mentioned in this Epistle; more probably the 'distress' Christ had said would precede His return (Luke 21:23), which was thought to be near (1 Corinthians 7:29). SO TO BE] RV 'to be as he is.'... [ Continue Reading ]
ART THOU LOOSED] i.e. unmarried.... [ Continue Reading ]
TROUBLE IN THE FLESH] i.e. in their earthly circumstances. Trouble would fall not only on themselves, but on those dear to them. St. Paul wants to save them such suffering (RV 'and I would spare you').... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TIME _is_ SHORT: IT REMAINETH, THAT, etc.] RV 'the time is shortened that henceforth,' etc. The thought of the nearness of the Lord's coming, when earthly things would pass away, should keep them from being engrossed in present interests.... [ Continue Reading ]
ABUSING] RM 'using it to the full,' as if the sole source of enjoyment: cp. 1 John 2:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT CAREFULNESS] RV 'free from cares.' 33, 34. The exact words and punctuation are doubtful (cp. RM); but this does not affect the general sense, viz. that the unmarried are less subject to worldly distractions and anxieties than the married.... [ Continue Reading ]
CAST A SNARE (or, 'halter') UPON YOU] i.e. not deprive you of liberty; force you into this course. COMELY] RV 'seemly.'... [ Continue Reading ]
ANY MAN] i.e. parent or guardian. UNCOMELY] i.e. unfairly, in not seeing her married. HIS VIRGIN] daughter or ward. LET THEM] i.e. the maiden and her suitor.... [ Continue Reading ]
HATH POWER OVER (RV 'as touching') HIS OWN WILL] i.e. is able to carry it out. The whole v. shows the need of careful deliberation in the matter; no hasty resolve. Throughout, according to the social and legal conditions of the time, no account is made of the maiden's own wishes. This is probably du... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE LORD] This forbids marriage from unchristian, worldly motives; and, practically, marriage with a heathen.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO ABIDE] RV 'abide as she is': cp. 1 Timothy 5:3, for widows on the Church roll. HAVE THE SPIRIT OF GOD] am guided by Him in what I say, not merely expressing my personal inclinations.... [ Continue Reading ]