1 Corinthians 7:37

ἰδίᾳ אAB. Rec. αὐτοῦ after καρδίᾳ with DEFG, Vet. Lat. and Vulg.

τηρεῖν אAB. τοῦ before τηρεῖν rec. DEFG.

ποιήσει אAB. ποιεῖ rec. DEFG, Vet. Lat., Vulg., Peshito.

37. μὴ ἔχων�. This might be the case either (1) if the maiden be not specially desirous for the married life, or (2) if her hand be not sought in marriage, or (3) if, when sought, she be unwilling to accept the proposal. The language of the Apostle embraces all three suppositions.

ἐξουσίαν δὲ ἔχει. The legitimate authority of the parent is great, but he has no right to treat his children as mere chattels. He can only be said to have ‘power over his own will’ when he can act without selfishly thwarting the reasonable wishes of those whom God has committed to his care.

καὶ τοῦτο κέκρικεν. ‘If in other lighter actions nothing is permitted to children without the authority of their parents, much less is it desirable that freedom should be given them in contracting matrimony.’ Calvin.

τηρεῖν τὴν ἑαυτοῦ παρθένον. To keep his own daughter at home unmarried.