7. even as I—having tile gift of continence (Matthew 19:11; Matthew 19:12). This wish does not hold good absolutely, else the extension of mankind and of the Church would cease; but relatively to "the present distress" (Matthew 19:12- :). read more
The importance of sexual relations in marriage 7:1-7Paul advised married people not to abstain from normal sexual relations. read more
III. QUESTIONS ASKED OF PAUL 7:1-16:12The remainder of the body of this epistle deals with questions the Corinthians had put to Paul in a letter. Paul introduced each of these with the phrase peri de ("now concerning," 1 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Corinthians 7:25; 1 Corinthians 8:1; 1 Corinthians 12:1; 1 Corinthians 16:1; 1 Corinthians 16:12), a phrase commonly used in antiquity. [Note: Keener, p. 62.] "Rather than a friendly exchange, in which the new believers in Corinth are asking spiritual advice... read more
1. Advice to the married or formerly married 7:1-16Paul proceeded to give guidelines to the married or formerly married. The statement "It is good for a man not to touch a woman" (1 Corinthians 7:1) may well have been a Corinthian slogan. [Note: Ibid., p. 270.] This hypothesis, which seems valid to me in light of Paul’s argumentation, results in a different interpretation of the text than has been traditional. The traditional view takes the entire section as explaining Paul’s position on... read more
Paul evidently was not a married man when he wrote this epistle (1 Corinthians 7:8). We do not have enough information about his life to know whether he had never married, had become a widower, or if his wife had left him.To Paul the single state had certain advantages for a servant of the Lord such as himself. He had to put up with many hardships in his ministry that would have been difficult for a wife to share. Moreover God had given him grace to live as a single person without feeling... read more
7:7 gift (d-17) Charisma . see Note h, Romans 5:16 . read more
(a) Answer to Questions about MarriageThe Corinthians had in their letter (1 Corinthians 7:1) asked St. Paul’s opinion on several points connectedwithmarriage. His language in reply is guarded; he speaks with some diffidence; he constantly admits exceptions and lays down restrictions. This makes his meaning sometimes obscure; but the general drift is that celibacy, though a good thing in itself, is not suited to the needs of many, especially in circumstances like theirs; and marriage, though... read more
(7) For I would that all men were even as I myself.—Better, I wish rather that all men were as I myself. These words do not mean that the Apostle wished that every one was unmarried, but that every one had the same grace of continence which he himself was endowed with, so that they might without risk of sin remain unmarried (see 1 Corinthians 7:26). Yet, he adds, there are many gifts, and God has given to each man his own gift, so that, though you may not have the particular gift of continence... read more
1 Corinthians 7:10 ; 1 Corinthians 7:12 'He can be nowise considered the disciple of Paul,' says Bacon in the De Augmentis Scientiarum, "who does not sometimes insert in his doctrines, "I, not the Lord," or again, "according to my counsel," which style is generally suited to inferences. Wherefore it appears to me that it would be of especial use and benefit if a temperate and careful treatise were instituted, which, as a kind of Divine logic, should lay down proper precepts touching the use... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:7
1 Corinthians 7:7. For I would that all men, &c.— "As for the main question that we are now upon, I could wish that all men were in this respect even as myself; that all Christians could as easily bear the severities of a single life, in the present circumstances, and exercise as resolute command over their natural desires." Common sense requires us thus to limit the Apostle's expression; for it would be a most flagrant absurdity to suppose that St. Paul wished marriage might entirelycease.... read more