1 Corinthians 7:8-9

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 7:8-16

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 7:8

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 7:8

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 7:8

Verse 8 8.I say, then, to the unmarried. This depends on what goes before, and is a sort of inference from it. He had said that the gifts of God are variously distributed — that continency is not in the power of all, and that those who have it not ought to have recourse to the remedy. He now directs his discourse to virgins, to all that are unmarried, and to widows, and he allows that an unmarried life ought to be desired by them, provided they have the power; but that regard must always be had... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 7:9

Verse 9 9.But if they cannot contain While he advises to abstain from marriage, he always speaks conditionally — if it can be done, if there is ability; but where the infirmity of the flesh does not allow of that liberty, he expressly enjoins marriage as a thing that is not in the least doubtful. For this is said by way of commandment, that no one may look upon it as mere advice. Nor is it merely fornicators that he restrains, but those also who are defiled in the sight of God by inward lust;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:1-9

Celibacy and marriage. Hitherto the apostle has been treating of abuses in the Church at Corinth, which had come to his knowledge, either through the household of Chloe ( 1 Corinthians 1:11 ) or through common report ( 1 Corinthians 5:1 ). He passes now to deal with certain matters regarding which the Corinthians had asked his advice by letter; and the first of these is marriage, with other related subjects. While treating the whole chapter homiletically, the preacher will do well to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7:1-11

The lawfulness of marriage, and its duties. read more

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