Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote [Hitherto Paul has written concerning things which he learned by common report; he now begins to reply to questions which they had asked him in their letter. As we come to the several answers we will state the probable form of the question, as an aid to int... [ Continue Reading ]
But, because of fornications, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. [Paul does not discourage marriage, much less forbid it (1 Timothy 4:3; Hebrews 13:4). Moreover, while he begins by counseling the Corinthians to abstain from it under their present conditions (1 C... [ Continue Reading ]
Let the husband render unto the wife her due: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.... [ Continue Reading ]
The wife hath not power over her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power over his own body, but the wife.... [ Continue Reading ]
Defraud [deprive] _ye not one the other, except it be by consent for a season, that ye may give yourselves unto prayer, and may be together again, that Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency_.... [ Continue Reading ]
But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment. [That his readers may understand his counsel, Paul discusses the marriage state, and shows that the reciprocal rights of the parties thereto forbid abstinence to either husband or wife, save in cases where one wishes to devote a season to pray... [ Continue Reading ]
Yet I would that all men were even as I myself. Howbeit each man hath his own gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that.... [ Continue Reading ]
But I say to the unmarried and to widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.... [ Continue Reading ]
But if they have not continency, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. [In contrast with the enforced indulgence of matrimony, Paul sets up his own life of abstinence as preferable, but only to such as have with him a gift of absolute self-control. But all have not this gift, for G... [ Continue Reading ]
But unto the married I give charge, yea not I, but the Lord [by his own lips-- Matthew 5:31-32; Matthew 19:3-12; Mark 10:12], _That the wife depart not from her husband_... [ Continue Reading ]
(but should she depart, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband); and that the husband leave not his wife.... [ Continue Reading ]
But to the rest [the further application of the law or principle] _say I_ [as an inspired apostle], _not the Lord_ [with his own lips]: _If any brother hath an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her_.... [ Continue Reading ]
And the woman that hath an unbelieving husband, and he is content to dwell with her, let her not leave her husband.... [ Continue Reading ]
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife [The word "sanctified" is here used in the Jewish sense of being not unclean, and therefore not to be touched], _and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother_ [her husband]: _else were your children unclean; but now are they holy_. [Holy... [ Continue Reading ]
Yet if the unbelieving departeth, let him depart: the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us in peace.... [ Continue Reading ]
For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O husband, whether thou shalt save thy wife?... [ Continue Reading ]
Only, as the Lord hath distributed to each man, as God hath called each, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches. [Paul first answers generally that under no conditions are the husband and wife to separate (the single exception (Matthew 19:9) not being given, because not a point in cont... [ Continue Reading ]
Was any man called [converted] _being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised_. [1 Macc. 1:15.] _Hath any been called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of God. [is, in this connection, everything.]... [ Continue Reading ]
Let each man abide in that calling [trade or social condition] _wherein he was called_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wast thou called being a bondservant? care not for it: nay, even if ["nay, even if" should read "but if"] _thou canst become free, use it_ [i. e., freedom] _rather_.... [ Continue Reading ]
For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord's freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ's bondservant.... [ Continue Reading ]
Ye were bought with a price; become not bondservants of men.... [ Continue Reading ]
Brethren, let each man, wherein he was called, therein abide with God. [i. e., abide with God in the calling wherein he was called. Taking up the rule of 1 Corinthians 7:17; Paul shows by way of illustration its application to other matters. Christianity does not require that Jews or Greeks change t... [ Continue Reading ]
Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be trustworthy.... [ Continue Reading ]
I think therefore that this is good by reason of the distress that is upon us, namely, that it is good for a man to be as he is.... [ Continue Reading ]
Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.... [ Continue Reading ]
But shouldest thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh: and I would spare you. [the pains and sufferings which will arise by reason of your marriage ties.]... [ Continue Reading ]
But this I say, brethren, the time is shortened, that henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none;... [ Continue Reading ]
and those that weep, as though they wept not; and those that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and those that buy, as though they possessed not;... [ Continue Reading ]
and those that use the world, as not using it to the full: for the fashion of this world passeth away. [At the time of Paul's writing, a great social convulsion was expected. The persecutions under Nero and his successors, and the destruction of Jerusalem, were sufficient of themselves to form the b... [ Continue Reading ]
But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord:... [ Continue Reading ]
but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife,... [ Continue Reading ]
and is divided. So also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.... [ Continue Reading ]
And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. [The less the Christian is entangled with social ties, the freer he is to perform the Lord's service. Those who have no desire to marry ha... [ Continue Reading ]
But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin daughter, if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requireth, let him do what he will; he sinneth not; let them [such daughters] _marry_.... [ Continue Reading ]
But he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power as touching his own will, and hath determined this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin daughter, shall do well.... [ Continue Reading ]
So then both he that giveth his own virgin daughter in marriage doeth well; and he that giveth her not in marriage shall do better. [Marriages in the East were then, as now, arranged by the parents. If a parent saw fit to marry his daughter he had a perfect right to do so and was guilty of no sin, b... [ Continue Reading ]
A wife is bound for so long time as her husband liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. [i. e., to a Christian.]... [ Continue Reading ]
But she is happier if she abide as she is, after my judgment: and I think that I also have the spirit of God.... [ Continue Reading ]