ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 7 v8 - 9

OVERVIEW:

The single life is commended to both the unmarried and to widows (AUGUSTINE). Marriage is an available remedy for lust (CHRYSOSTOM), yet lust remains a moral disease (AUGUSTINE). One who marries is not sinning against the covenant, but neither is he fulfilling the highest purpose of the gospel ethic (CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA).

7:8 | Remaining Single

THE STRONG PULL OF CONCUPISCENCE. CHRYSOSTOM: Paul states that continence is better, but he does not attempt to pressure those who cannot attain to it. He recognizes how strong the pull of concupiscence is and says that if it leads to a lot of violence and burning desire, then it is better to put an end to that, rather than be corrupted by immorality. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 19.3.

WHETHER WIDOWS ARE SAID TO BE UNMARRIED. AUGUSTINE: We must not understand these words to mean that widows are not unmarried because they once embraced the married state. Widows are unmarried, but not all unmarried are widows. That is why Paul makes a distinction here. THE EXCELLENCE OF WIDOWHOOD 2.

7:9 | Marriage Better Than Lust

AFLAME WITH PASSION. CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA: Such a person [who cannot exercise self-control] is not sinning against the covenant [by marrying], but neither is he fulfilling the highest purpose of the gospel ethic. STROMATEIS 3.82.4.

THE REMEDY FOR LUST. AUGUSTINE: Why do you acknowledge that there is a necessary remedy for lust yet contradict me when I say that lust is a disease? If you recognize the remedy, then recognize the disease as well. AGAINST JULIAN 15.