1 Corinthians 7:36-38

36-38. Paul here treats the case of a parent having maiden daughters. By ancient law and custom the parent had absolute disposal of the child in marriage, and Paul speaks as assuming such to be the case. Among the Jews it was a disgrace to parent and daughter for her to pass her marriageable age unmarried. Hence in Ecclesiasticus (Apoc.) 42:9, it is said, “The father waketh for the daughter when no man knoweth, and the care for her taketh away sleep while she is young, lest she pass the flower of her age.” This last clause includes the very word Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 7:36. If the best good of the daughter require it (36) her marriage is right. But if no proper obstacle to her celibacy offer (37) he does well to retain her unmarried. Her marriage would, then, be well, but her celibacy would be better (38). Paul throughout speaks in reference to the established custom that a father had absolute right of decision in the case.