1 Corinthians 7:1

δέ. This carries on the thought from the last chapter. St Paul has not left the subject of glorifying God with the body. He has only entered upon a fresh branch of it. Having dismissed the question of the unlawful profanation of the body as a thing impossible for Christians, he proceeds to discuss whether they can serve God better in the married or unmarried state.

καλόν. Stronger than our ‘it is good for a man,’ which merely means ‘it is to his advantage.’ St Paul would say that celibacy is an ‘honourable’ estate, and that the reproach cast by Gentiles, and even Jews, on unmarried persons as being bad citizens was unjust. Still (1 Corinthians 7:2), on the ground of Christian prudence, it were best, as a rule, to enter into the married state.