_Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me_ The letter of the Corinthian believers to which the apostle alludes here, and in which it appears they put divers questions to him, hath long been lost; a circumstance to be much regretted; for had it been preserved, it would doubtless have illust... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let the husband_ Where this relation is commenced; _render unto the wife_, Την οφειλομενην ευνοιαν, _the due benevolence_ That is, the conjugal duty, the duty resulting from the nature of the marriage- covenant. Or, let not married persons fancy that there is any perfection in living with each othe... [ Continue Reading ]
_Defraud not_ Or deprive not; _one the other_ Of this benevolence; or withdraw not from the company of each other; _except it be with consent for a time, that_ On those special and solemn occasions, _you may_ entirely _give yourselves up to_ the exercises of devotion. From this passage it appears, t... [ Continue Reading ]
_I say, therefore_ I give this advice; _to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them_ It is a condition of life which will tend to promote their eternal welfare, that, _if_ they conveniently can, _they abide even as I_ Namely, unmarried; for that Paul was then single is certain: and from Acts 7:... [ Continue Reading ]
_The married I command_ Greek, τοις δε γεγαμηκοσι παραγγελλω, _Now those that have married I charge:_ so these words should be rendered, the phrase being the same with that in 1 Timothy 1:3, rendered by our translators, _that thou mightest charge some. Yet not I_ Only, or not I by any new revelation... [ Continue Reading ]
_To the rest_ Who are married to unbelievers; _speak I_ By revelation from God; _not the Lord_ Who, during his ministry, gave no commandment concerning the matter. _If any brother hath a wife that believeth not_ Is a heathen, not yet converted; _let him not put her away_ If she consent to dwell with... [ Continue Reading ]
_For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife_ That is, so far that their matrimonial converse is as lawful, holy, and honourable, as if they were both of the same faith: and in many instances the unbeliever, whether husband or wife, hath been converted to God by the instrumentality of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_But if the unbelieving_ party _depart, let him_, or her _depart_ And take the course they think best. _A brother or sister_ A Christian man or woman; _is not under bondage_ Is at full liberty; _in such cases: but_ Let it be always remembered; _God hath called us to peace_ To live peaceably with the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Is any man called_ Brought to the saving knowledge of Christ, and to a participation of his grace; _being circumcised_ Having been born of Jewish parents, and therefore circumcised in his childhood, or being a _proselyte of righteousness_, and therefore circumcised; _let him not become uncircumcise... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let every man abide wherein he was called_ Affect not to change without the clear and evident leadings of Providence, as there is generally greater reason to expect a man will enjoy comfort, and be holy and useful, in a situation to which he is accustomed, than in another to which he is a stranger.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now concerning virgins_ The word παρθενων, translated _virgins_, denotes persons of either sex, who never were married. For Elsner, after Suidas, tells us, that men were called παρθενοι, _virgins_, as well as women; of which Rev 14:4 is an undoubted example; _these are they which were not defiled w... [ Continue Reading ]
_Art thou bound to a wife?_ “Because the directions which the apostle was about to give (1Co 7:36) to fathers, concerning the disposal of their children in marriage, were partly to be founded on the inclination and circumstances of the children, before he gave these directions, he very properly addr... [ Continue Reading ]
_But this I say_, &c. But though I leave every one to his own liberty in the case now mentioned, yet here is what is necessary for all to observe. _The time_ Of our abode here, and of these worldly enjoyments; _is short: it remaineth_ It plainly follows; _that those who have wives be as though they... [ Continue Reading ]
_But_ Or _now; I would have you_ During this flying moment; _without carefulness_ Or anxiety, amidst all these uncertainties: without any encumbrance or distraction of your thoughts, about the affairs of this short uncertain life, in order that you may freely and cheerfully wait on God in a due atte... [ Continue Reading ]
_But if any man_ Who is a parent or guardian; _think that he behaveth himself uncomely_ That he should act indecently, or in a manner unbecoming his character, or unsuitably to her credit and reputation; _toward his virgin_ By hindering her from marriage; _if she pass_, &c. Greek, εαν η υπερακμος, _... [ Continue Reading ]
_The wife is bound by the law_ See on Romans 7:2. Or the apostle may mean _the law of the gospel_, called _the law of faith_, and _the law of liberty;_ or he may intend the law of marriage given to Adam and Eve in paradise: _is bound to her husband_ so _long as_ he _liveth_ This is the general rule,... [ Continue Reading ]