| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
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| 1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. |
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| 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. |
Wife – Help-mate. R1555:2
Husband – A true husband is a provider, and his care should include provision of spiritual as well as natural food and raiment for his wife and family. R1555:1, 1549:5
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| 3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. |
Due benevolence – What she might reasonably, naturally and justly demand. F512
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| 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. |
Power – Sole control. F512
After marriage is too late for one to decide for himself whether or not he prefers to live a celibate life. F512
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| 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 ye not – In marriage each has given himself to the other in such a degree that any refusal of moderate, reasonable, marital rights would amount to an injustice and violation of the marriage contract. F512
One the other – Due benevolence and continence should obviate any necessity for domestic imposition and consequent discord, and should insure harmony on the firm foundation of mutual love and respect. R1555:1
To fasting – Abstention from all "fleshly lusts which war against the soul;" (1 Peter 2:11) these appetites always unfied at the Memorial season. R3170:5
This fasting may or may not affect the food and drink, according to the judgment of each, respecting what diet will best enable him to glorify God and to keep his "body under." R3170:5
And prayer – Drawing near to the Lord. R3170:5
Communion with God is a great privilege and an evidence of his favor. R4983:1
Satan – The Apostle was a firm believer in a personal devil. R3165:6
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| 6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. |
Not of commandment – Not inspired. R435:2
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| 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. |
Even as I myself – Continent and free, practically an eunuch. F512
Not that celibacy of itself need be considered a necessity for the perfecting of the divine character, but that its practice will give increased opportunity for serving the King of kings. OV368:6
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| 8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. |
Abide even as I – Paul had found the single, or celibate, condition, advantageous--he was able to accomplish greater service than if he had been mortgaged by the care of a companion and the necessary duties toward that one. R5353:1
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| 9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. |
Marry than to burn – To be consumed with an uncontrollable passion which would hinder their fellowship with the Lord and might prove to them a snare. F512
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| 10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: |
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| 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. |
If she depart – If it must necessarily be so. R1083:6*
He or she would be bound not to marry another so long as the first companion lives. R1555:4
Put away – But rather to seek to establish peace. R1554:4
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| 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. |
I, not the Lord – The fact that the Apostle was thus careful to clearly specify which particular items were his affords the best possible proof that the remainder of his teachings are of divine inspiration. R1419:2; HG311:4
That believeth not – Do the best in whatever circumstances we find ourselves when called, unless the circumstances are such as we can control and improve. R1083:6*
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
Is sanctified – In respect to the subject under consideration, viz., the offspring of the wedlock. F532; R3204:6, 2991:4
Has a blessed, or favorable, influence. R3204:6
The standing of the believing parent is counted as offsetting and overruling the standing of the unconsecrated parent, so far as the child is concerned. Q825:5, 804:1
The children shall not be counted as partially the Lord's and partially children of wrath; but shall be counted as entirely the Lord's and as under his protection and care. R2991:4; F532
The only exception to the rule of being born condemned is in the case of children, one or both of whose parents are believers. R2719:1, 2023:6
Wife – Any rule or authority the believing wife should exercise would be delegated by her husband, who, whether saint or sinner, is the responsible head of his family. F533
Husband – The believing husband, letting his light shine, should expect that ere long his wife, as well as his children, would discern his difference from irreligious men, his spirit of love, gentleness and helpfulness. F533
Children – The children of believers are justified through the faith of their parents up to the time they reach years of mental discretion. R2009:6, 3462:6, 2339:5, 952:6; Q825:5, 804:1; NS440:1
God does not accept children of believers on account of parental faith beyond the period of their minority. When years of accountability have been reached, a personal covenant with the Lord is required. R2320:5, 1961:4; HG644:6
It is not necessary that the child should have both parents in the Lord, to be under divine supervision. Q58:4; R4090:6, 3462:6
When marriage has occurred prior to consecration, the children shall be accounted as the Lord's through the consecrated parent. R4090:6
Illustrated in King Ahaz, a reprehensible king, his wife Abijah, a godly woman, and their son, Hezekiah, who had a hearty desire to please the Lord. R3462:3
In the Resurrection Age, children of believers will have a little advantage over the children of unbelievers, in that they will have less depraved organisms when awakened. HG644:4
Unclean – Unholy, sinners under condemnation, unjustified, unrelated to God, aliens from his care and blessing. F532; R3204:6, 2991:2, 952:6
Out of God's favor. CR319:3
But now – In view of this provision of divine grace. F532
Are they holy – In a justified or acceptable state with God through which he may treat them, not as enemies. F532; R952:5; SM429:T; CR1:4
Washed and cleansed; justified. R3507:3, 2991:2; CR1:4
Subjects of divine supervision and care. HG644:6; R2020:6; Q59:2, 58:4
Children of the Lord's consecrated people who will not have previously reached years of discretion and personal responsibility will be preserved, guarded, provided for in the midst of the day of trouble. R2020:6
Such children, partaking of the justification of their parents, might properly be considered as belonging to the "household of faith," although they had not in any sense of the word become saints. R2991:4
Even though the children are born before the parent believed. CR319:3
Even though only one of the parents are consecrated. Q804:1; CR428:2
If born of Christian parents, and in a justified condition, there would not be the same experience some have of a violent turning around in coming to the Lord. CR1:4
A relation to God as tentatively justified until the child would be of age to think and act for itself. Q59:2; NS440:3
The words "sanctify" and "holy" as used in this text, do not have at all the same signification that is properly attached to them elsewhere in the Scriptures. R2991:1
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| 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. |
Let him depart – Permit him to cancel the marriage contract if he will. R2666:6
Or her. R1554:5
Do not oppose their going if they desire to go. The Lord is able to provide for your affairs. And if that is the Lord's providence for you, so accept it. R5498:2
If the greater faithfulness the worse the treatment from the unbelieving partner, that a separation might be necessary, let us remember that the Lord's counsel forewarned us. F533
Brother or a sister – Common terms of salutation in the early Church. F230; R1523:5
Not under bondage – But not free to marry again unless a divorce be secured on the one permissible ground. F505; R5954:3, 1554:5
The believing one if once deserted by the unbeliever would not be bound to receive the deserter back again to marriage fellowship; although upon evidence of reform it might be well to be reconciled. R1554:6
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| 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? |
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| 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. |
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| 18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. |
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| 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. |
Is nothing – Paul found no objection to Jews continuing their national custom of circumcision. F227; R1526:5
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| 20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. |
Let every man abide – Or woman. R1083:5*
When the truth finds us it does not necessarily change our earthly relationships. R5666:5
The same calling – The vocation. R3721:2
Not all are called to an open, public ministry, devoting all of the time, talent, effort and interest to the Gospel message. R3721:2
If a foreign missionary, after an appreciation of God's plan, stay abroad and seek the ripe wheat. R1348:6
The majority of the called the Lord evidently intends to instruct as his disciples while they are about their ordinary business, the duties and responsibilities of life. R3721:2
All service, in whatever capacity, should be rendered unto the Lord--that is, with the single desire and effort to please him. R1083:5*
Wherein he was called – In which we were when the message of grace first reached us. R3721:2
Whether the position be that of husband, or wife, or mother, or servant. R1083:5*
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| 21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. |
Being a servant – In the Apostle's time and in every time the humble classes, the servant classes, the slave classes, seem to have been ready to receive the message. R5498:5
Care not for it – Seek not to be free. R5498:1
A slave should not rebel against his earthly master. R5666:5
Do not consider that freedom is necessary to your spiritual welfare. R3768:6
Use it rather – Be glad to avail yourself of the opportunity of having a wider field of service as a free man. R5498:1
To remain in the very same position in which we were called is not always obligatory. If the nature of the contract be such that it can be broken to the advantage of the Lord's work, it should be done. R1083:5*
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| 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. |
Lord's freeman – While the actual freedom or liberty of the sons of God is not yet enjoyed by any, a few have regained their title to that inheritance through faith in Christ, and are now, therefore, reckoned free. R1738:3
While we are free from condemnation--justified--yet actually we realize the law of sin still working in our members, which makes us realize that our actual liberty as sons of God is not possessed. R1738:3
Being free – Freedom in a very important respect. We are getting a victory over the bondage of sin and of the weaknesses of the flesh. R5726:4; CR475:2
The love of freedom is inherent in all of God's intelligent creatures. It was the divine purpose that all enjoy liberty, under limitations of righteousness. R1737:2
Is Christ's servant – All who are slaves of the Lord Jesus are voluntary slaves. CR475:1
Before we can fully realize the actual liberty which God designed for all his sons, we must first become the willing servants of a new master, Christ, in order that he may accomplish our deliverance. R1738:4
While we enjoy blessed freedom in Christ, we are nevertheless under strictest bondage to him. We are bond-servants of Jesus Christ, and like him we glory in being so branded. R1738:6
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| 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. |
Bought with a price – "Even the precious blood of Christ." (1 Pet. 1:19) R684:2, 387:2; E446
A reckoned deliverance is granted at once, when we believe. R3088:5
This application of the ransom-price to us is provisional, conditional. R4536:2
When our Lord appeared in the presence of God, he presented before him the sacrifice which he had made in the flesh, appropriating part of it at once to all who would believe on him throughout this Gospel age. R3088:5
In the case of the world in general, practically no benefit from the death of Christ comes in the present time. R3088:6
The world must wait until the Church of Christ shall have filled up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ. (Col. 1:2, 4) and shall have been glo R3088:6
The Greek word from which bought is translated is agorazo, and conveys the commercial idea; it means to purchase in the open market. Something was given for us, and to some one. R387:2, 3088:2; E447
A corresponding price for Adam's sin. R5948:5, 3088:3
Servants of men – Serving with eye-service as men-pleasers. R1083:5*
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| 24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. |
Brethren – A man would not be a brother in Christ while in a business repugnant to his conscience and injurious to his fellow-creatures. R5498:4
Wherein he is called – If married when called, there is a mortgage upon his time. R5498:2
Therein abide – Having your mind at rest. The Lord's people are not to want an immediate change from the condition in which they were called. R5498:1
A prisoner would do well to say, "Well, in God's providence this message has reached me here in prison. Perhaps I should never have had it if I had not been here--I may have opportunities here." R5498:5
With God – The Lord will give what is best to all his faithful ones. R5498:5
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| 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. |
Concerning virgins – Males and females. F509
I give my judgment – He clearly specified that these particular items were his, and not of divine inspiration. R1419:2; HG311:4
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| 26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. |
Present distress – Under present conditions--our own imperfections and the imperfections of others; the special duties, privileges, and opportunities of those who have made a full consecration to the Lord. F509
In the case of the unconsecrated, early marriages are desirable, because life's lessons can best be learned by marital experiences. F558
For a man so to be – To remain in the condition in which the Truth may find him, married or single. F509
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| 27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. |
Bound unto a wife – Or a husband. R1083:6*
Seek not to be loosed – If married when called, he should not say, "I wish I were not married." R5498:2
The Apostle is speaking of the body and not the heart. R5666:5
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| 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. |
Virgin – Female. F510
Nevertheless such – As are married. F510
Trouble in the flesh – Hampered by many cares, and vexed with many perplexing problems. R1554:3
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| 29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; |
Brethren – The Apostle is addressing the Church only, as a peculiar people, separate from the world, with hopes and aims, and present conditions, and future destiny entirely different from those of the world. R900:3
The time is short – The Apostle did not pretend to say how short. F225
The all-important work to which every earthly consideration should now bend is the seeking out and preaching the gospel to the meek, helping them to make their calling and election sure. R901:2
In harmony with their consecration, the elect class should continually seek to live abstemious lives in respect to all the affairs of life. NS454:5
Earthly cares and responsibilities not yet incurred should be regarded as so many hindrances to the great work to which time and talent are already consecrated. R1083:5*
Let us make haste to improve passing opportunities for such a grand and blessed service. R901:6
They – Of us. R901:2
Had none – We should not reckon our earthly relationships as being the highest and best of all things. R5906:3
Ignoring earthly relationships as much as possible, and setting the affections specially upon heavenly things. F510
Husbands and wives should not set their affections too much upon each other. R5906:2
Urging the saints to continence in social relations, that the thoughts of the Kingdom shall lift their minds and disengage their affections and lawful sexual congress, except as limited in verses 5-7. R3181:5
The establishing of an earthly home and the rearing of an earthly family should not be the ambition of the saints. R901:3
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| 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; |
And they that weep – Who are in earthly trouble. F510; R901:5
They wept not – Not letting them detract from our interest and effort in the Lord's work. R901:5
Endeavoring to forget the trials and disappointments and difficulties of the earthly state in the joy and rejoicing of the better promises that are ours for the future. F510
They that rejoice – In earthly prosperity. F510; R901:5
They rejoiced not – Their rejoicing in spiritual things quite overshadowing all earthly sources of joy. F510
They that buy – Those who acquire wealth or goods. R901:5
They possessed not – Not setting their affections on earthly things. F510
Not reckon their acquirements their own, or for the gratification of self-pride, or the love of display. R901:5
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| 31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. |
Use this world – Those occupied with this world. R900:3
As not abusing it – Not misusing it, permitting moderation and the interests of the new nature a controlling influence in all of life's affairs. F510
Not misusing the things of this present time. Using this world without using it to the full--using it in moderation. NS106:4
While necessarily occupied with the business of this life and the expenditure of its income, we should not go beyond the just using of it for ourselves as becometh saints. R901:6
World passeth away – We are to live in accord with our new hopes, and not to be continually making provision for the flesh; but seeking at every cost to make our calling and election sure and thus to be joint-heirs with our Lord. F510
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| 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: |
Without carefulness – Free from care of an earthly kind; and hence, in addition to the foregoing admonition of change of affections and transformation of mind, I now call your attention to certain unquestionable facts. F510
He – The fully consecrated. F510
Unmarried – Paul's counsel that the unmarried should remain so, that they might thus give themselves without hindrance to the Lord's service. R901:4, 4959:5*, 1554:1
Both the Lord (Matt. 19:12) and the Apostle recommend R1892:1, 1555:1, 1554:3, 901:4; F509
Mormon doctrine teaches to the contrary. HG732:3
Careth for – Is careful for. F510
Please the Lord – The Apostle's teaching is not a condemnation of marriage in others, but one of the incidental sacrifices of those anxious to be most fully used in the Lord's service. R3148:3
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| 33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. |
Married – The married should not add to their earthly cares, and thus make their pathway more difficult and their opportunity for service less. R901:4
Careth for – Is careful of. F510
Please his wife – He has a danger of a division of his affections and needs to be on guard, lest the earthly affections shall absorb all of his time and love and interest, to a violation of his covenant with the Lord. F510
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| 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. |
Also – Likewise. F511
Between – Between the condition of. F511
The unmarried – The fully consecrated. F511
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| 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. |
For your own profit – Not as seeking to bring you under bondage or in any manner to add to your burdens, but that you who are unmarried may carefully weigh the matter and consider your spiritual interests and the privileges you will be losing by marrying. F511
A snare upon you – To restrain you from the exercise of your liberties. F511
Which is comely – Most favorable to you as new creatures. F511
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| 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. |
Any man think that – In remaining unmarried. F511
Uncomely – Improperly. F511
Toward his virgin – Toward a female friend whom he had given reason to expect he would marry her. F511
Pass – Be past. F511
Flower of her age – So as to have lost other matrimonial opportunities through her engagement to him. F511
And need so require – If she needs a protector and supporter. F511
Do what he will – Marry or not. F511
Let them marry – If the necessities of the case seem so to dictate. F511
None are forbidden to marry; and false teachers who have since arisen, "forbidding to marry", are condemned as seriously out of order. (1 Tim. 4:3) R1554:1
In breaking any ordinary engagement for marriage there is nothing that is dishonorable: it would be unwise and unjust for either party to insist upon marriage if the other desired to cancel the engagement. R3110:4
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| 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. |
Over his own will – To exercise self-control and to live a celibate life, that he might give himself more fully to the Lord and his service. F511
Decreed – Determined. F511
Keep his virgin – His own virginity or purity. F511
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| 38 So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better. |
He – Paul is not addressing the world, but those who have devoted their lives to the Lord. R5900:4
That giveth her – His virginity. F511
Doeth well – If marriage would not interfere with their consecration to the Lord, then they might marry. There are cases in which marriage has been a benefit to brethren and sisters relationship to the Lord and others. R5900:4
Doeth better – For those to whom it may be possible to live a life of chastity, it would be a very desirable one. Q555:6
He that brings forth natural children of the highest type does well, but he that cooperates with God for the begetting of spiritual sons does better. R2902:3
It is not the province of anybody to forbid marriage. We can call attention to the words of St. Paul, a divinely inspired instructor; but there might instances in which this general rule might not apply. Q460:8
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| 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. |
Be dead – Greek means fall asleep, awaiting the resurrection. E345; R1881:1; HG332:2
At liberty – Free. F511
Only in the Lord – Only the consecrated. R4776:6
Worldly people should marry worldly people; nominal church people should marry nominal church people; justified believers should marry justified companions; New Creatures should marry New Creatures. F515; R4912:4, 4776:6
Whoever follows this advice will eventually find that he has been blessed thereby, and whoever disregards the advice will generally learn the unwisdom of his course through severe experiences later. F513
The woman should see to it that she marry only such a man as she can look up to morally, intellectually, spiritually, as the head of the family--one whom she can "reverence." F516
The man should marry one who would be a true help-mate, pure-minded, loving, gentle, helpful--one not his superior, to whom he would be obliged to look up and esteem as the proper head of the family. F516
Marriage is a very weighty contract, and should be undertaken only after prayerful, thoughtful consideration and examination of every feature bearing upon the situation as far as can be discerned. F517
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| 40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God. |
So abide – Abide as she is. F511
After my judgment – I am not speaking by commandment or under direct inspiration, but according to my conviction or judgment of the divine will. F511
These particular items were Paul's, and not of divine inspiration. R1419:2; HG311:4
The spirit of God – The mind of the Lord in this subject. F511
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