1 Corinthians 7:37

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:37

Nevertheless, he that standeth steadfast in his heart ,.... The apostle returns to confirm his former advice, where it can be attended to with safety; and observes, that notwithstanding what he had allowed might lawfully be done, and was proper to be done; yet a man that had deliberated upon, and had well weighed the matter of virginity, the case of a single life, and was at a point about in, having no hesitation nor fluctuation of mind concerning it: and also "having no necessity"; of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:37

Verse 37 37.But he who standeth firm in his heart. Here we have the second part of the statement, in which he treats of young women who have the gift of abstaining from marriage. He commends therefore those fathers who make provision for their tranquillity; but let us observe what he requires. In the first place, he makes mention of a steadfast purpose — If any one has fully resolved with himself. You must not, however, understand by this the resolution formed by monks — that is, a voluntary... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:1-40

Answers to the inquiries of the Corinthians respecting marriage. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:1-40

Paul's conception of marriage. "Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me," etc. All that Paul here says of marriage is in answer to some communication which the Church had addressed to him On the subject, and what he says he declares is not "of commandment," that is, not by Divine authority, but by "permission." All Scripture is therefore not inspired, even all the counsels of St. Paul do not seem to have been so. So desirous did he seem to be that all he says on this subject... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:25-40

Advice respecting the unmarried. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:25-40

Concerning virgins and widows. Paul now passes to another question referred to him, viz. the marriage of virgins and widows. This has been briefly touched upon already ( 1 Corinthians 7:8 ), and is now dealt with more in detail. Here also the apostle has no express commandment of the Lord to adduce, and he therefore proceeds to give his own inspired judgment on the matter, "as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful." This judgment is not in the form of explicit... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:29-40

Apostolic counsels for the times, and general principles applied now as before. Some minds are so organized as to be peculiarly open to those impressions which the local and circumstantial produce on thought and feeling. If these become excessive, they are almost sure to trench on principles. Such persons are devotees of sectionality; their prudence is shrewd, but not sagacious; intelligence is narrowed down to time, place, and immediate results; and expediency is with them "the previous... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

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

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