_Now concerning. The heads of the Church of Corinth had written to St. Paul, desiring to know whether he thought it more expedient to marry or not. This was a question which the sages of antiquity had frequently taken into consideration. To this question St. Paul here delivers his opinion. (Calmet)... [ Continue Reading ]
But because of fornication, let every man have, and live with his own wife, [1] and not leave her, nor dismiss her. Take notice, that St. Paul speaks these words to those that are already married, and speaks not of the unmarried till the 8th verse. He does not then here exhort every one to marry, bu... [ Continue Reading ]
[BIBLIOGRAPHY] Ut vacetis orationi, _Greek: ina scholazete te proseuche. St. John Chrysostom, Greek: ouk eipen aplos proseuchesthe._... [ Continue Reading ]
_By indulgence. That is, by a condescension to your weakness. (Challoner)_... [ Continue Reading ]
I would, or I could wish you all were even as myself, and as it is said in the next verse, to continue unmarried as I do. From hence it is evident, that St. Paul was not then married, who according to the opinion of the ancient fathers, was never married. But when the apostle says, I would this as t... [ Continue Reading ]
_If they do not contain. This is spoken of such as are free; and not of such as by vow have given their first faith to God; to whom, if they will use proper means to obtain it, God will never refuse the gift of continency. Some translators have corrupted this text, by rendering it, if they cannot co... [ Continue Reading ]
_But to them that are married, &c. He tells these persons that they ought not to part, or if a separation for weighty reasons can be allowed, neither party can marry another. (Witham) --- That the wife. Jesus Christ has expressly declared, that in one case only a divorce may be allowable, and that i... [ Continue Reading ]
For to the rest, &c. This was a case entirely new, which the wisdom of the apostle regulates according to the laws of charity. Tertullian thinks that some of the faithful, who had been converted from paganism, did not esteem it lawful to live any longer with their wives, who were yet buried in the s... [ Continue Reading ]
Is sanctified. The meaning is not that the faith of the husband, or the wife is of itself sufficient to put the unbelieving party, or their children, in the state of grace and salvation: but that it is very often an occasion of their sanctification, by bringing them to the true faith. (Challoner) --... [ Continue Reading ]
But[3] as the Lord hath distributed,... and called every one, &c. St. Paul proceeds to other points of discipline, that persons converted may remain and continue in the same employments, and lawful state of life as before, that it is nothing to the purpose, whether before his conversion he was a cir... [ Continue Reading ]
[BIBLIOGRAPHY] Magis utere, _Greek: mallon chresai. St. John Chrysostom says, Greek: touteti mallon douleue._... [ Continue Reading ]
_With a price. Viz. with the price of the precious blood of Christ. (Estius) --- Him only should we serve, for whatever draws us from this allegiance, is perfect servitude, such as the love of any person or thing out of God._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now concerning virgins, &c. He turns his discourse again to the unmarried, who (if they have made no vow) may lawfully marry, though he is far from commanding every one to marry, as when he says, seek not a wife. And such shall have tribulation of the flesh, cares, troubles, vexations in the state... [ Continue Reading ]
_The time is short, &c. Incomparable instructions to the end of this chapter, which are not obscure. (Witham)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they who weep. In this passage the apostle teaches us, in the midst of our greatest afflictions not to suffer ourselves to be overwhelmed with grief, but to recollect that the time of this life is short, and that temporary pains will be recompensed with the never-fading joys of eternity. (Estiu... [ Continue Reading ]
It is far easier to give our whole heart and application without any the least reserve to _God, than to divide them without injustice._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let him do what he will, he sinneth not, &c. The meaning is not as libertines would have it, that persons may do what they will, and not sin; provided they afterwards marry: but that the father with regard to the giving his virgin in marriage, may do as he pleaseth: and that it will be no sin to hi... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that giveth her not, doth better. And more blessed shall she be, if she so remains, according to my counsel. It is very strange if any one, who reads this chapter without prejudices, does not clearly see, that St. Paul advises, and prefers the state of virginity to that of a married life. --- I... [ Continue Reading ]