1 Corinthians 7:7-9 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:1-9

The apostle comes now, as a faithful and skilful casuist, to answer some cases of conscience which the Corinthians had proposed to him. Those were things whereof they wrote to him, 1 Cor. 7:1. As the lips of ministers should keep knowledge, so the people should ask the law at their mouths. The apostle was as ready to resolve as they were to propose their doubts. In the former chapter, he warns them to avoid fornication; here he gives some directions about marriage, the remedy God had appointed... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:3-7

7:3-7 Let the husband give to the wife all that is due to her; and in the same way let the wife give to the husband all that is due to him. A wife is not in absolute control of her own body, but her husband is. In the same way a husband is not in absolute control of his own body, but his wife is. Do not deprive each other of each other's legitimate rights, unless it be by common agreement, and for a limited time. You could do so in order to have time for prayer and afterwards come together... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:8-16

7:8-16 To the unmarried and to the widows I say, it would be a fine thing if they were to remain like myself, but if they find continence impossible, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to go on being inflamed with passion. To those who are married I give this order--and the order is not mine but the Lord's--that a wife should not separate herself from her husband; but if she does separate, let her either remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband; and that a husband should... read more

John Gill

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

For I would that all men were even as I myself ,.... The apostle speaks not of his state and condition, as married or unmarried, for it is not certain which he was; some think he had a wife, others not: it looks, however, as if he had not at this time, as appears from 1 Corinthians 7:8 but be it which it will, it can hardly be thought he should wish all men to be in either state, either all married, or all unmarried; but he speaks of the gift of continency, which he had, as the following... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:8

I say therefore to the unmarried and widows ,.... Not by way of command, but advice: by the "unmarried" he means, either such men who never were in a married state, or else such who had been married, but their wives were dead; which latter sense seems more agreeable, since they are joined with "widows", who had lost their husbands: it is good for them if they abide ; unmarried, and do not change their condition any more; not that it was sinful to marry again, for he allows of it in the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:9

But if they cannot contain , &c.; Or "if they do not contain", as the words may be rendered, and as almost all versions do render them; if they have not the gift of continency; if they are not willing, and do not think fit to contain, for none are to be compelled; if either therefore they want a will or power to contain, let them marry; it is not only lawful for them to marry, but it is right and best for them; hence it appears that second marriages are lawful, which were condemned by... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:7

For I would that all men, etc. - He wished that all that were then in the Church were, like him self, unmarried; but this was in reference to the necessities of the Church, or what he calls, 1 Corinthians 7:26 , the present distress: for it never could be his wish that marriage should cease among men, and that human beings should no longer be propagated upon earth; nor could he wish that the Church of Christ should always be composed of single persons; this would have been equally absurd;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:8

The unmarried and widows - It is supposed that the apostle speaks here of men who had been married, in the word αγαμοι , but were now widowers; as he does of women who had been married, in the word χηραι , but were now widows. And when he says ὡς καγω , even as I, he means that he himself was a widower; for several of the ancients rank Paul among the married apostles. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:9

But if they cannot contain - If they find it inconvenient and uncomfortable to continue as widowers and widows, let them remarry. It is better to marry than to burn - Bishop Pearce translates the original thus: For it is better to marry than to be made uneasy. Πυρουσθαι , says he, "signifies primarily to burn; but in a metaphorical sense, to be troubled, vexed, or made uneasy. So in 2 Corinthians 11:29 ; : Who is offended and I burn not, και ουκ εγω πυρουμαι , and I am not... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:7

Verse 7 7.For I should wish, that all. This is connected with the exposition of the foregoing statement; for he does not fail to intimate, what is the more convenient way, but he wishes every one to consider what has been given him. (387) Why, then, has he, a little before, spoken not by way of commandment ? It is for this reason, that he does not willingly constrain them to marry, but rather desires that they may be free from that necessity. As this, however, is not free to all, he has respect... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:1-9

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:3-7

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:8-16

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:7

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