1 Corinthians 7:36

But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. BEHAVETH ... UNCOMELY - is not treating his daughter becomingly, in leaving her unmarried beyond the flower of her age, and debarring her from lawful gratification as a marriageable woman. NEED SO REQUIRE - if regard to the feelings and welfare of his daughter require it. Opposed to "having no necessity" (). LET THEM MARRY - the daughter and her suitor....

36._But if any one thinketh that it were unseemly for his virgin. _He now directs his discourse to parents, who had children under their authority. For having heard the praises of celibacy, and having heard also of the inconveniences of matrimony, they might be in doubt, whether it were at all a kind thing to involve their children in so many miseries, lest it should seem as if _they _were to blame for the troubles that might befall them. For the greater their attachment to their children, so much the more anxiously do they exercise fear and caution on their account. (439) Paul, then, with the view of relieving them from this difficulty, teaches that it is their duty to consult their advantage, exactly as one would do for himself when at his own disposal. (440) Now he still keeps up the distinction, which he has made use of all along, so as to commend celibacy, but, at

36-40 The apostle is thought to give advice here about the disposal of children in marriage. In this view, the general meaning is plain. Children should seek and follow the directions of their parents as to marriage. And parents should consult their children's wishes; and not reckon they have power to do with them, and dictate just as they please, without reason. The whole is closed with advice to widows. Second marriages are not unlawful, so that it is kept in mind, to marry in the Lord. In our choice of relations, and change of conditions, we should always be guided by the fear of God, and the laws of God, and act in dependence on the providence of God. Change of condition ought only to be made after careful consideration, and on probable grounds, that it will be to advantage in our spiritual concerns....

Verse 36. _UNCOMELY TOWARDS HIS VIRGIN_] Different meanings have been assigned to this verse; I shall mention _three_ of the principal. 1. "In those early times, both among the Hebrews and Christians, the _daughters_ were wholly in the power of the _father_, so that he might give or not give them in marriage as he chose; and might bind them to perpetual celibacy if he thought proper; and to this case the apostle alludes. If the father had devoted his daughter to perpetual virginity, and he afterwards found that she had fixed her affections upon a person whom she was strongly inclined to marry, and was now _getting past the prime of life_; he, seeing from his daughter's circumstances that it would be _wrong_ to _force_ her to continue in her state of celibacy; though he had determined before to keep her single, yet he might in this case alter his purpose without sin, and let her and her...

THAT HE BEHAVETH HIMSELF UNCOMELY - Acts an unbecoming part, imposes an unnecessary, painful, and improper constraint, crosses her inclinations which are in them selves proper. TOWARD HIS VIRGIN - His daughter, or his ward, or any unmarried female committed to his care. IF SHE PASS THE FLOWER OF HER AGE - If she pass the marriageable age and remains unmarried. It is well known that in the east it was regarded as especially dishonorable to remain unmarried; and the authority of a father, therefore, might be the means of involving his daughter in shame and disgrace. When this would be the case, it would be wrong to prohibit her marriage. AND NEED SO REQUIRE - And she ought to be allowed to marry. If it will promote her happiness, and if she would be unhappy, and regarded as dishonored, if she remained in a state of cel

EXPOSITION 1 CORINTHIANS 7:1 _Answers to the inquiries of the Corinthians respecting marriage._ 1 CORINTHIANS 7:1 _The_ _lawfulness of marriage, and its duties._ 1 CORINTHIANS 7:1 NOW CONCERNING. This refers to questions of the Corinthians. It is GOOD FOR A MAN NOT TO TOUCH A WOMAN. The word used is not _agathon, _good, but _kalon, _fair; "an excellent thing." In 1 Corinthians 7:26 he limits the word by the clause, "good for the p

BUT IF ANY MAN THINK,.... This some understand of a man that is engaged, or betrothed to a virgin, and protracts marriage, who may use his prudence in consummating it, if he pleases, for any thing the apostle has said to the contrary: but it is better to understand it of a parent, or one that has the care and guardianship of virgins; if such an one is of opinion, THAT HE BEHAVETH HIMSELF UNCOMELY TOWARDS HIS VIRGIN: by exposing her to contempt and reproach, in retaining her at home, and not giving her in marriage when at proper age for such a state; it being reckoned reproachful to be at, or past the age of marriage, or to be in years, and not married; or by so doing lay her under temptation to do that which is uncomely, to commit fornication, which would be uncomely, both to him, and to her; and such a tendency has living in a single state, contrary to inclination. The apostle may have...

SINNETH SIN (_ See Scofield) - (Romans 3:23). _...

4. CONCERNING THE RELATIONSHIP OF MAN AND WOMAN CHAPTER 7 _ 1. The Single and the Married Life. (1 Corinthians 7:1)._ 2. Separation and Divorce. (1 Corinthians 7:10). 3. Abiding in the Different Callings. (1 Corinthians 7:17). 4. The Unmarried and Married in Contrast. (1 Corinthians 7:25). It is evident from the first verse that the Corinthians had inquired of the Apostle about marriage and the relationship of man and woman. It was an important question in a city of the character of Corinth, so full of immorality. This chapter answers their questi

Paul now passes to the case of virgins, on which the church had invited his judgment. The section is one of peculiar difficulty. It is generally thought that Paul is dealing with the relations of a father (or guardian) to the marriage of his daughter (or ward). The decision whether the maiden should be married, and if so to whom, rested with the father. In that case his general principle holds good that in view of the impending distress it is better for no new ties to be created. But if any father (or guardian) thinks that he is acting _in_ an _unseemly_ way towards his daughter (or ward), she being of an age to marry and her nature imperiously demanding it, he is at liberty to carry out his desire, he does not sin in doing so, let the maiden and her suitor marry. But if there be no such compulsion in the case, and he has made up his mind not to give her in marriage, his decision is to b...