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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:35

The apostle here resumes his discourse, and gives directions to virgins how to act, concerning which we may take notice, I. Of the manner wherein he introduces them: ?Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord, 1 Cor. 7:25. I have no express and universal law delivered by the Lord himself concerning celibacy; but I give my judgment, as one who hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful,? namely, in the apostleship. He acted faithfully, and therefore his direction was to be... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:36-38

In this passage the apostle is commonly supposed to give advice about the disposal of children in marriage, upon the principle of his former determination. In this view the general meaning is plain. It was in that age, and those parts of the world, and especially among the Jews, reckoned a disgrace for a woman to remain unmarried past a certain number of years: it gave a suspicion of somewhat that was not for her reputation. ?Now,? says the apostle, ?if any man thinks he behaves unhandsomely... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:39-40

The whole is here closed up with advice to widows: As long as the husband liveth the wife is bound by the law, confined to one husband, and bound to continue and cohabit with him. Note, The marriage-contract is for life; death only can annul the bond. But, the husband being dead, she is at liberty to marry whom she will. There is no limitation by God's law to be married only for such a number of times. It is certain, from this passage, that second marriages are not unlawful; for then the widow... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:26-35

7:26-35 I think that this is the right thing because of the present crisis-- that it is the right thing for a man to remain as he is. Have you been bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released from that bond. Are you free from marriage ties? Do not seek a wife. But, if you do marry, you have committed no sin. Those who do marry will have trouble about bodily things, and I would wish to spare you this. This I do say, brothers, the time is short, so short that, for the future those who have... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:39-40

7:39-40 A wife is bound for as long as her husband is alive; but, if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, so long as the marriage is made in the Lord. In my opinion she will be happier if she remains as she is--and I think that I have the Spirit of God. Again Paul takes up his consistent point of view. Marriage is a relationship which can be broken only by death. A second marriage is perfectly allowable, but Paul would rather see the widow stay a widow. We know now... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:29

But this I say, brethren, the time is short ,.... This is another reason, with which the apostle supports his advice to virgins, and unmarried persons, to remain so; since the time of life is so very short, and it is even but a little while to the end of the world, and second coming of Christ; and therefore seeing the marriage state is so full of care and trouble, and it affords still less time for the service of Christ and religion, he thought it most advisable for them to, continue in a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:30

And they that weep, as though they wept not ,.... They that weep for troubles and crosses, things adverse and afflicting in a marriage state, for the loss of wives or children, should express their sorrow in such a manner and degree, as if they wept not; not that the apostle here introduces and establishes a stoical apathy, and would have persons show no manner of concern for these things; but he directs to a moderate use of sorrow, to such a degree as not to hinder and divert from the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:31

And they that use this world, as not abusing it ,.... Such as have a large affluence of the things of this world, should use them in a moderate and temperate manner; should not squander them away extravagantly, or spend them on their lusts, and use them intemperately, which is to abuse them: for the fashion of this world passeth away ; not the nature, matter, and substance, but the figure and form of it; for after this world is burnt up, a new one, as to form and fashion, will arise, in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:32

But I would have you without carefulness ,.... This is another reason, by which the apostle confirms the advice he gives to virgins to remain such, because the married state is full of cares, whereas the single life is no more free from them; and therefore he wishes them to continue in such a state, that they might be without anxious and distracting cares of temporal things, things relating to the good decorum and sustenance of a family, and so be more free and at leisure for the service of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:33

But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world ,.... Attending diligently to the business and calling of life, he is engaged in, that he may provide food and clothing, and other necessaries for the support and sustenance of his family: how he may please his wife : and make her and his children easy and comfortable. This also is not to be understood of every individual person in a married state as matter of fact; for, on the one hand, there are some who take no care to... read more

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