1.
Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
concernin g. App-104 .
the things whereo f = what things.
ye wrote . The Corinthians had written a letter, but carefully avoided any reference to the disorders among themselves. These had been reported by the members of Chloe's family (1 Corinthians 1:11 , 1 Corinthians 1:12 ), and the scandal referred to in 1Co 5 was a common report, which was perhaps made known by Stephanas and others (1 Corinthians 16:17 ). But see Hebrews 13:4 .
unto = to.
man . App-123 .
2.
Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
Nevertheless = But.
to avoid = on account of. App-104 . 1 Corinthians 7:2 .
every = each.
husband . App-123 .
3.
Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
benevolence . Greek. eunoia. Only here and Ephesians 6:7 ; but instead of "due benevolence", all the texts read "the debt", Greek. opheile, which Occurs elsewhere only in Matthew 18:32 .Romans 13:7 .
also the wife = the wife also.
4.
The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.
hath . . . power . Greek. exousiazo. See 1 Corinthians 6:12 .
not . App-105 .
5.
Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
Defraud . Greek. apostereo , as in 1 Corinthians 6:7 . Here, deprive
one the other = one another.
except . Greek. ei me .
with = from. App-104 .
consent . Greek. sumphonos. Only here. Compare Acts 5:9 .
time = season.
that = in order that. Greek. hina .
give yourselves to = have leisure for. Greek. scholazo . Only here and Matthew 12:44 . Compare Acts 19:9 (school).
fasting and . All the texts omit.
prayer . App-134 .
together . Greek. epi to auto. See Acts 1:15 ; Acts 2:1 .
for = on account of. App-104 . 1 Corinthians 7:2 .
incontinency . Greek. alcrasia. Only here and Matthew 23:25 .
6.
But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
by = according to. App-104 .
permission . Greek. sungnome . Only here.
commandment . Greek. epitage. See Romans 16:26 .
7.
For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
would . App-102 :1.
proper . Greek. idios. Same as "own" in verses: 1 Corinthians 7:7 , 1Co 7:1 , 1 Corinthians 2:4 , 1Co 2:37 .
gift . App-184 .
of = from. App-104 .
God . App-98 .
after this manner . . . after that . Greek. houtos . . . houtos.
8.
I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
I say therefore = But I say.
unmarried . Greek. agamos. Only here, verses: 1Co 7:11 , 1 Corinthians 7:32 , 1 Corinthians 11:34 .
if . App-118 .
abide = remain. Greek. meno. Seep. 1511.
9.
But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
if . App-118 .
cannot contain = have not (Greek. ou) self-control. Greek. engkrateuomai. Only here and 1 Corinthians 9:25 . Compare Acts 24:25 .Titus 1:8 . Occurs in Septuagint Genesis 43:31 . 1 Samuel 13:12 (forced).
burn . Greek. puroomai. Elsewhere, 2 Corinthians 11:29 . Eph 6:16 . 2 Peter 3:12 .Revelation 1:15 ; Revelation 3:18 .
10.
And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
command . Greek. parangello. See Acts 1:4 .
yet , &c . Figure of speech Epanorthosis. App-6 .
Lord . App-98 . Compare Matthew 5:32 .
Let not the wife . Literally That the wife should not.
depart = be separated. Greek. chorizo. In Matthew 19:6 , put asunder.
from . App-104 .
11.
But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
remain = abide, as in 1 Corinthians 7:8 .
reconciled . Greek. katallasso . See Romans 5:10 .
put away = send away. Greek. aphiemi. App-174 .
12.
But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
the rest . App-124 .
any . App-123 .
a wife, &c . = an unbelieving (Greek. apistos, as in 1 Corinthians 6:6 ) wife.
be pleased . Greek. suneudokeo. See Acts 8:1 .
dwell . Greek. oikeo . See Romans 7:17 .
13.
And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
an husband, &c . = an unbelieving (as in 1 Corinthians 7:12 ) husband.
if . Omit.
leave . Greek. aphiemi, as in 1 Corinthians 7:11 . The same tense and voice, and should therefore be rendered "send away". The absolutely equal rights of husband and wife are insisted on throughout the chapter. See verses: 1Co 7:3 , 1 Corinthians 7:5 , &c.
him . All the texts read "her husband".
14.
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
sanctified . Greek. hagiazo. See John 17:17 , John 17:19 .
by = in. App-104 .
husband . All the texts read "brother", i.e. believer, or Christian brother.
else = since otherwise.
children . App-108 .
unclean . Compare Peter's use of this word in Acts 10:14 , Acts 10:28 .
holy . Greek. hagios. This, as contrasted with "unclean", must be in the same ceremonial sense, but there maybe a thought of the dedication of the child to God by the believing parent, and the influence he or she would exercise upon it.
15.
But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
is not under bondage = has not been enslaved ( App-190 .)
in . App-104 .
to = in, as above. Peace is the atmosphere of the Christian calling, and should decide all the problems of life. Compare 1 Corinthians 14:33 .Romans 12:18 . 1 Chronicles 3:15; 1 Chronicles 3:15 .
16.
For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
knowest . App-132 .
whether = if. App-118 .
man = husband, as above. Here are the Figures of speech Antimetathesis and Apostrophe. App-6 .
17.
But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
But . Greek. ei me , as 1 Corinthians 7:5 .
God . . . the Lord . These should be transposed. Compare 1 Corinthians 1:9 . Romans 8:30 . Galatians 1:1 , Galatians 1:15 .Ephesians 4:4 . 1 Thessalonians 2:12 . 2Th 2:13 , 2 Thessalonians 2:14 ; 2 Timothy 1:9 .
distributed = divided, or imparted. Greek. merizo. Occurs fourteen times. Always translated divided, except here, 1 Corinthians 7:34 .Romans 12:3 . 2 Corinthians 10:13 .Hebrews 7:2 .
every one . Same as "every man".
ordain = appoint. Greek. diatassomai. See Acts 7:44 .
churches . App-186 .
18.
Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
Is = Was.
any man, any = any (one). Greek. tis . App-123 .
being = having been.
19.
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
nothing . Greek. oudeis. Compare Galatians 1:5 , Galatians 1:6 ; Galatians 6:15 .
keeping = guarding. Greek. teresis. This is the Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ). Supply "is every thing", or "is alone important".
20.
Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
same . Omit.
wherein = in (Greek. en) which. The order in the Greek is, "Each one in the calling in which he was called, in this let him remain".
21.
Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
Art = Wast.
servant = slave. App-190 .
care, &c . = let it not be a care to thee.
mayest = canst.
be made = become.
use . Greek. chraomai. See Acts 27:3 .
22.
For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
is = was.
Lord . App-98 .
freeman = absolutely free. Greek. apeleutheros, a much stronger word than "free" in 1 Corinthians 7:21 . Only here.
also . Omit.
Christ's . App-98 .
23.
Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
are = were.
bought . See 1 Corinthians 6:20 .
24.
Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
therein = in (Greek. en) this.
with . Greek. para . App-104 .
25.
Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
no = not. Greek. ou. App-105 .
judgment = opinion. App-177 .
obtained mercy . See 1 Timothy 1:13 , 1 Timothy 1:16 .
of = by. App-104 .
faithful . App-150 and App-175 :4.
26.
I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.
suppose = reckon. Greek. nomizo. See Luke 3:23 .Acts 14:19 .
is . Greek. huparcho. See Luke 9:48 .
present . Greek. enistemi. See Romans 8:38 .
distress = need. Greek. anangke. Compare Luke 21:23 .
27.
Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
bound . Greek. deo, not doudoe, as in 1 Corinthians 7:15
to be loosed = release. Greek. lusis . Only here.
loosed . Greek. pass, of luo.
28.
But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
But and = Moreover.
hast not = wouldst not have.
sinned . App-128 .
hath not = would not have.
trouble = tribulation. Greek. thlp sis. See Acts 7:10 , and compare Matthew 24:19-21 .
spare . Greek. pheidomai. See Acts 20:29 .
29.
But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
time = season.
short = shortened, or contracted. Greek. sustello Only here and Acts 5:6 . Compare 1 John 2:18 .
it remaineth = as for the rest it is. See "besides" in 1 Corinthians 1:16 .
though they had none = not (Greek. me) having (any).
30.
And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
possessed . Greek. katecho, to hold fast. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:2 .
31.
And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
world . Greek. kosmos. App-129 .
abusing = using to the full. Greek. katachraomai. Only here und 1 Corinthians 9:18 . The force of kata is intensive. Compare katesthio, devour, eat up (2 Corinthians 11:20 ). See Colossians 3:2 . 1 John 2:15 .
fashion . Greek. schema. Only here and Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:8 . Compare Psalms 39:6 .
passeth away . Greek. parago. Compare 1 John 2:17 , where the same word is used.
32.
But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
have you = that you should be.
without carefulness = free from anxiety. Greek. amerimnos. Only here and Matthew 28:14 .
careth . Gr merimnao. Occurs twelve times in the Gospels translated "take thought", save Luke 10:41 (be careful); four times in this chapter; 1 Corinthians 12:25 .Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:20 ; Philippians 4:6 .
that belong to = of. App-17 .
33.
But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
that are . Omit.
34.
There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
There is, &c . The texts vary here. See Revised Version.
There is difference between . Greek. merizo, as in 1 Corinthians 7:17 (distributed).
body = the body.
spirit = the spirit. App-101 .
35.
And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
profit . Greek. sumphe r o . Same as "expedient" (1 Corinthians 6:12 ).
snare . Greek. brochos . Only here. Something to hamper or fetter.
that which is comely = decorum or propriety. Greek. euschemon. See Acts 13:50 .
that ye may attend = for devoted attention. Greek. euprosedros. The texts read euparedros , with the same meaning. Only here.
without distraction . Greek. aperispastos. Only here. The verb penspaomai is used in Luke 10:40 (cumber).
36.
But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
think . Same as "suppose", 1 Corinthians 7:26 .
behaveth, &c . = acts unseemly. Greek. aschemoneo. Only here and 1 Corinthians 13:5 .
virgin , i.e. virgin daughter.
pass, &c . = be of full age. Greek. huperakmos. Only here.
need so require = it ought to be so.
37.
Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
stedfast . Greek. hedraios . Elsewhere, 1 Corinthians 15:58 . Colossians 1:23 .
having no = not (Greek. me, as 1 Corinthians 7:1 ) having.
necessity = constraint. Greek. anangke, as in 1 Corinthians 7:26 .
power = authority. Greek. exousia. App-172 .
over = concerning. Greek. peri , as in 1 Corinthians 7:1 .
will . App-102 .
decreed = decided, or judged. App-122 .
38.
So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
giveth . . . in marriage . Greek. ekgamizo. Elsewhere, Matthew 22:30 ; Matthew 24:38 . Luke 17:27 .
39.
The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
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 .
40.
But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
after = according to. App-104 .
Spirit of God = Divine spirit. App-101 .