1 Corinthians 7:1

Περὶ δὲ ὧν ἐγράψατε : “Now about the things on which you wrote (to me)”. Περὶ ὧν = περὶ τούτων περὶ ὧν (not ἅ); cf. the constructions of rel [996] pron [997] in 1 Corinthians 7:39; 1 Corinthians 10:30; see Wr [998], p. 198. δὲ metabatikon leads to a new topic, in orderly transition from the last: “Now I proceed to deal with the matters of your letter to me”; the questions proposed about marriage are discussed on the ground prepared by the teaching of chh. 5 and 6. They form a part of the wide social conflict between Christian and Pagan life at Corinth: see Introd. to Div. II. P. answers at once, affirmatively, the question of principle put to him: “It is right (καλόν, honourable, morally befitting pulchrum, conveniens, Bg [999]; see note on 1 Corinthians 5:6) for one (ἀνθρώπῳ, homini : not ἀνδρί, man distinctively, viro) not to touch a woman” (to live in strict celibacy). καλὸν contradicts the οὐ καλὸν ἀνθρώπῳ present in the minds of some of the questioners, influenced by the sensuous atmosphere of Cor [1000] Paul is not disparaging marriage, as though he meant καλλίον μὴ ἅπτ., but defending celibacy against those who thought it inhuman.

[996] relative pronoun.

[997]ron. pronoun.

[998] Winer-Moulton's Grammar of N.T. Greek (8th ed., 1877).

[999] Bengel's Gnomon Novi Testamenti.

[1000] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.