ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 7 v25 - 31

OVERVIEW:

Paul turns his attention to young people who are thinking about getting married. Without denying the validity of marriage, Paul commends the single state (AMBROSIASTER), partly to avoid worldly entanglements (ORIGEN) during this hazardous end time. His instruction is set in terms of a view of history in which the end is imminently expected. Every day the world gets older (AMBROSIASTER). In this context virginity has great advantages (SEVERIAN OF GABALA), and caring for children is especially put in doubt. The focus should be upon begetting spiritual children, not earthly ones (CAESARIUS OF ARLES). Those distinctly called to virginity should not marry (CHRYSOSTOM). There is no need for the unmarried actively to seek to be married. Those who know that the end of the world is near will soon be consoled (AMBROSIASTER). Paul commends his opinion on the unmarried state without imposing it as a command of the Lord (ORIGEN, SEVERIAN OF GABALA).

7:25 | Concerning the Unmarried

THE OPTIONAL DISTINGUISHED FROM THE OBLIGATORY. ORIGEN: Some rules are given as commandments of God, while others are more flexible and left by God to the decision of the individual. The first kind are those commandments which pertain to salvation. The others are better, because even if we do not keep them, we shall still be saved. There is no merit in doing what is obligatory, but there is in doing that which is optional. COMMENTARY ON 1 CORINTHIANS 3.39.2-6.

RECOMMENDING WITHOUT IMPOSING. SEVERIAN OF GABALA: It is clear that Paul says this not because he has no command to teach about virginity but because God has not told him that these people should practice chastity themselves. That is why he writes to them giving his opinion and recommending chastity, without imposing it on them. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

AN OPINION, NOT A COMMAND. OECUMENIUS: Paul is coming here to a higher wisdom, but he is hesitant to impose it directly because that might show up the inadequacy of his hearers. Therefore he sets it out as an opinion rather than as a command. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

7:26 | Remaining as One Is

VIRGINITY BETTER. AMBROSIASTER: Here Paul teaches that virginity is better, not just because it is more pleasing to God but also because it is the more sensible course to follow in the present [end-time] circumstances. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

7:27 | Married or Free

DO NOT SEEK MARRIAGE IF YOU ARE FREE. AMBROSIASTER: Paul says that no one should be divorced from his wife except in a case of fornication. As for the unmarried, what advantage is there in giving in to the lusts of the flesh? COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

7:28 | No Sin in Marrying

SPARING THEM WORLDLY TROUBLES. ORIGEN: The virgin is spared earthly troubles and set free by her purity, as she awaits the blessed Bridegroom. COMMENTARY ON 1 CORINTHIANS 3.39.51-52.

IF YOU MARRY, YOU DO NOT SIN. AMBROSIASTER: The man who marries does not sin because he is doing something which is permitted. But if he refuses to do it, he earns merit and a crown in heaven, for it takes great self-control to avoid doing something which is not expressly forbidden. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

THOSE CALLED TO VIRGINITY SHOULD NOT MARRY. CHRYSOSTOM: Paul is not speaking about the woman who has chosen virginity, for if such a woman decides to marry, she has indeed sinned. If widows are condemned for entering into second marriages, how much more is this true of those called to remain virgins. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 19.7.

7:29 | The Appointed Time Is Short

THE TIME HAS GROWN SHORT. AMBROSIASTER: Paul means by this that the end of the world is coming soon. Given this fact, believers should not worry about having children and instead should dedicate themselves to the service of God. For there will be many unprecedented pressures on them, and many will fall into the devil’s trap. No one among us who has a proper fear of the pressures which the Savior predicted will want to be caught like that. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

MARRIAGE IN THE END TIME. SEVERIAN OF GABALA: If married people are supposed to live as if they were single, how is it possible not to prefer virginity? PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

BEGET SPIRITUAL CHILDREN. CAESARIUS OF ARLES: Those who practice physical sterility should observe fruitfulness in souls, and those who cannot have earthly children should try to beget spiritual ones. All our deeds are children. If we perform good works every day, we shall not lack spiritual offspring. SERMON 51.3.

7:30 | Mourning, Rejoicing

THOSE WHO MOURN LIVE AS THOUGH NOT MOURNING. AMBROSIASTER: Those who know that the end of the world is near realize that they will soon be consoled, and they comfort each other with this hope. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

7:31 | Dealings with the World

THE FORM OF THIS WORLD IS PASSING AWAY. AMBROSIASTER: Note that Paul says that the form of this world is passing away, not the substance of it. Therefore if the form of the world is going to perish, there is no doubt that everything in the world will vanish. It will all pass away. Every day the world gets older. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.