1 Corinthians 7:39 KJV

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:29-40

An argument from the shortness of the time. It is impossible to understand a large number of the apostolic allusions unless we recognize the early Church conception that the Christian dispensation would be very brief, and in all probability closed and completed in the first century, by the expected reappearance of the Lord Jesus Christ. This idea certainly prevailed among the disciples. To some extent at least it was shared by the apostles; but it is evident that they found it necessary to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:36-40

Duties of parents to children as to marriage. The apostle's words apply directly to daughters only. Among Jews and Greeks the disposal of the daughters of the family rested with the father. What is said, however, may extend very largely to sons as well. I. MARRIAGE IS NOT TO BE INSISTED UPON . It too commonly is in many circles, especially in the case of daughters, and thus becomes prolific of evils. The apostle rather commends the father who does not give his daughter in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:39

Only in the Lord. The second marriage of the Christian widow must be a holy and a Christian marriage ( 2 Corinthians 6:14 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:39

The wife is bound ... - ; see the notes at Romans 7:2.Only in the Lord - That is, only to one who is a Christian; with a proper sense of her obligations to Christ, and so as to promote his glory. The apostle supposed that could not be done if she were allowed to marry a pagan, or one of a different religion. The same sentiment he advances in 2 Corinthians 6:14, and it was his intention, undoubtedly, to affirm that it was proper for a widow to marry no one who was not a Christian. The reasons at... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 7:39-40

1 Corinthians 7:39-40. 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, from which is excepted the case of fornication, (Matthew 5:32,) and desertion, 1 Corinthians 7:15. The apostle repeats what he had enjoined in the preceding part of the... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:25-40

The unmarried and widows (7:25-40)Corinth was at that time troubled by some unusually distressing circumstances. In view of this, Paul felt it best for people, whether married or single, to stay as they were for the time being. The responsibilities that go with marriage and a family would only add to the current difficulties (25-28). This was not the time for people to create further problems for themselves by making changes or becoming more involved in worldly affairs. It was a time to remain... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 7:39

by the law . The texts omit. as long as = for (Greek. epi . App-104 .) such time as. be dead . App-171 . at liberty = free, as in verses: 1 Corinthians 7:21-22 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:39

A wife is bound for so long a 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. But she is happier if she abide as she is, after my judgment: and I think that I have the Spirit of God.This was the sixth question Paul answered in this chapter; and the answer to this one was easy. Yes, widows might indeed marry again, but "only in the Lord." It was never intended that Christians marry unbelievers, as Paul spelled out more fully... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:39

1 Corinthians 7:39. Only in the Lord— "Only let her take care that she marry in the Lord; and that, retaining a sense of the importance of her Christian obligation, she do not choose a partner for life of a different religion from herself." See Doddridge. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:39

39. bound by the law—The oldest manuscripts omit "by the law." only in the Lord—Let her marry only a Christian ( :-). read more