New Testament Commentary - 1 Corinthians 7

by Don R. Hender

Context is the true perception from which all one sided conversations and epistles must be understood. Without it quotes can be miss used and applied to mean something other than what the speaker intended and was so stating. In the seventh chapter Paul is responding to certain questions of concern. We do not have a record of what the exact circumstance, occasion and context of those questions were. We have but a one sided converstion such as hearing only one end of a telephone call, if you will. We can only assume what it is about. And you know what assuming makes of people.
On one occasion I recall a President and Prophet of the church giving similar counsel to a devotional congregation at Ricks College. It was President Spencer Kimball and the question of context which supported his teachings was concerning marriage and those who could not find another member of the church to marry. In particular he spoke at that time to the young women. He told them that it was better that they did not marry at all, which is what Paul is stating in chapter 7. If the circumstances had been that there were more males in the church than women, then his direct counsel would not have been different. It would have been the same, it was better that they not marry at all. He promised those who were unable to find a suitable spouse, another member of the church whom they could go to and be married with in the temple, that they would NOT loose their opportunity for such a temple union and that they would be granted such in time to come. He stressed that if one married outside of the church, he could not give them such a promise of gaurantee. Thus he concluded that it was better for them that they not marry. But it was also the fact that if one could not live an unmarried life, and 'just had to be married', even if it was outside of the church and temple, that it was better for them to marry than to commit outside of marriage the sins of immorallity. This sounds very similar to the counsel that Paul is giving here in the seventh chapter, that it is better not to marry at all outside of the church, but if one cannot help the desires of the flesh, it is better to marry than to commit the sins of immorality outside of marriage. Could it be that Paul's question which is not given is from this same doctrinal persective that President Kimball had taught with much the same counsel?
Here we will view Paul's teaching on marriage from that perspective, that he is teaching those who have questioned what should they do who cannot find a worthy member of the church to marry.

Scriptural Text [& Editorial] Commentary & Explanation Footnotes ~ References ~ JST

              CHAPTER 7
Paul answers special questions about marriage among those called on missions—Paul extols self-discipline.
Paul answers special specific questions about relations between men and women, perhaps those on missions and perhaps such relations between members and non-members—Paul extols self-discipline, that it is better not to marry in imperfect circumstances.

Concerning the Things Whereof Ye Wrote

As stated in the introduction, the perspective that this commentary will take is that Paul is answering the age old question of church members in all dispensations, and that is, 'What about male and female relations outside of the church, meaning members with non-members concerning non-member with member courtship, non-member with member marriage and the children of such a 'mixed marriage' relationship?'

1 NOW concerning the things whereof ye wrote^a unto me: ^aIt is good for a man not to touch a woman^b.
2 Nevertheless, ^ato avoid ^bfornication, let every man have his own ^cwife^a, and let every woman have her own husband.
3 Let the ^ahusband render unto the ^bwife due ^cbenevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
1^a concerning the things whereof ye wrote We do not know the exact question that Paul is answering. This has led to much false speculation in the world of traditional Christianity that Paul taught against marriage. This is certainly NOT the case from a true gospel perspective. Thus we are left to consider Paul's one side answer with the question. The fairest was to consider this in a gospel perspective is to consider like teachings of the brethren today and what the circumstance of those teachings were. From this consideration there seems to be two such cirsumstance where the brethren teach concerning marriage and female and male relationships in the church today. One is the position and instruction the church gives it young missionary force upon entering their missions, to avoid male-female contact and certainly not to marry. There is one other circumstance, which is the one that will be considered here in respect to Paul's teachings, and that is the relationships relative to courting and marriage between members and non-members of the chruch. Paul's teaching seem to be most consistant with this perspective and what the church teaches today.
1^b It is good for a man not to touch a women The particular meaning of 'touch' here is relative to the perspective being spoken of, and that is in relation to courtship and marriage between non-members. It is just better that no such relations even be began, no dating, no kissing, no touching in a relationship manner at all between non-members and members of the church. Stated another way, don't even become involved with a non-member of the church in such a relationship. That is good counsel, for you marry who you date. And it is exactly the way a general authority would put it.
2^a Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife This is to say that men and women are human and such relations will eventuate that such couples will become involved. At that point where it is 'to be', rather than to become guilty of fornication, that is sexual relations outside of marriage, it is that they should marry. Stated another way, it is better to marry a non-member than to fornicate, that is go around having sexual relations outside of marriage.

1^a D&C 128:20;
2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13);
     Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14;
     2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19);
     TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;

4^a 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.
5 ^aDefraud ye not one the other^a, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that ^bSatan ^ctempt you not for your incontinency.
4^a This verse seems to but the same as is stated in, 'Let the desires of the husband be unto the wife, and the desires of the wife be unto her husband.
5^a Defraud ye not one the other This seems to speak of withholding one's self back from the other for whatever designing reasons. Such withholding back of self from the other to obtain some considered advantage of manipulation of the other by so doing is defrauding and incontinency. The relationship between husband and wife will suffer from any such attempt of manipulation the one upon the other by holding back the natural affections of husband and wives. There is no gain in it, only foul play. And only for legitimate reason are the natural affections to be held off, else the relationship will always suffer the consequence of being damaged and such lose of true depth of personal intimacy which such does damage. One such temptation of a 'mixed marriage' would be the one spouse holding back from the other in an attempt to influence the other to come unto the church or 'else' type treatments. Paul here teaches against such to be use as such an unnatural tool of manipulation, for it ought not be and is a premise upon which will damage the marriage. 1^a D&C 128:20;
2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13);
     Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14;
     2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19);
     TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;

6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment.
7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his ^aproper ^bgift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
1^a D&C 128:20;
2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13);
     Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14;
     2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19);
     TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;

8 I say therefore to the unmarried and ^awidows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
9 ^aBut if they cannot ^bcontain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to ^cburn.

10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the ^awife ^bdepart from her husband:
11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be ^areconciled to her husband: and let not the husband ^bput away his wife.

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.
13 And the woman which hath an ^ahusband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
14 For the unbelieving ^ahusband is ^bsanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is ^csanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
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 ^ato peace.

16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt ^asave thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
17 But as ^aGod hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ^bordain I in all churches.

18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not ^abecome uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
19 ^aCircumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.

21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's ^afreeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's ^bservant.
23 Ye are ^abought with a price; be not ye the ^bservants of men.
24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained ^amercy of the Lord to be faithful.
26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present ^adistress, ^bI say, that it is good for a man so to be.

27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
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.

29 ^aBut this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
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;
31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the ^afashion of this ^bworld passeth away.

32 But I would have you without ^acarefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

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.
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.

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.
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.

38 ^aSo then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
39 The ^awife is bound by the ^blaw 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.
40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 7 Paul answers special questions about marriage among those called on missions—Paul extols self-discipline.	Paul answers special specific questions about relations between men and women, perhaps those on missions and perhaps such relations between members and non-members—Paul extols self-discipline, that it is better not to marry in imperfect circumstances.
Concerning the Things Whereof Ye Wrote As stated in the introduction, the perspective that this commentary will take is that Paul is answering the age old question of church members in all dispensations, and that is, 'What about male and female relations outside of the church, meaning members with non-members concerning non-member with member courtship, non-member with member marriage and the children of such a 'mixed marriage' relationship?'
1 NOW concerning the things whereof ye wrote^a unto me: ^aIt is good for a man not to touch a woman^b. 2 Nevertheless, ^ato avoid ^bfornication, let every man have his own ^cwife^a, and let every woman have her own husband. 3 Let the ^ahusband render unto the ^bwife due ^cbenevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.	1^a concerning the things whereof ye wrote We do not know the exact question that Paul is answering. This has led to much false speculation in the world of traditional Christianity that Paul taught against marriage. This is certainly NOT the case from a true gospel perspective. Thus we are left to consider Paul's one side answer with the question. The fairest was to consider this in a gospel perspective is to consider like teachings of the brethren today and what the circumstance of those teachings were. From this consideration there seems to be two such cirsumstance where the brethren teach concerning marriage and female and male relationships in the church today. One is the position and instruction the church gives it young missionary force upon entering their missions, to avoid male-female contact and certainly not to marry. There is one other circumstance, which is the one that will be considered here in respect to Paul's teachings, and that is the relationships relative to courting and marriage between members and non-members of the chruch. Paul's teaching seem to be most consistant with this perspective and what the church teaches today. 1^b It is good for a man not to touch a women The particular meaning of 'touch' here is relative to the perspective being spoken of, and that is in relation to courtship and marriage between non-members. It is just better that no such relations even be began, no dating, no kissing, no touching in a relationship manner at all between non-members and members of the church. Stated another way, don't even become involved with a non-member of the church in such a relationship. That is good counsel, for you marry who you date. And it is exactly the way a general authority would put it. 2^a Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife This is to say that men and women are human and such relations will eventuate that such couples will become involved. At that point where it is 'to be', rather than to become guilty of fornication, that is sexual relations outside of marriage, it is that they should marry. Stated another way, it is better to marry a non-member than to fornicate, that is go around having sexual relations outside of marriage.	1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
4^a 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. 5 ^aDefraud ye not one the other^a, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that ^bSatan ^ctempt you not for your incontinency.	4^a This verse seems to but the same as is stated in, 'Let the desires of the husband be unto the wife, and the desires of the wife be unto her husband. 5^a Defraud ye not one the other This seems to speak of withholding one's self back from the other for whatever designing reasons. Such withholding back of self from the other to obtain some considered advantage of manipulation of the other by so doing is defrauding and incontinency. The relationship between husband and wife will suffer from any such attempt of manipulation the one upon the other by holding back the natural affections of husband and wives. There is no gain in it, only foul play. And only for legitimate reason are the natural affections to be held off, else the relationship will always suffer the consequence of being damaged and such lose of true depth of personal intimacy which such does damage. One such temptation of a 'mixed marriage' would be the one spouse holding back from the other in an attempt to influence the other to come unto the church or 'else' type treatments. Paul here teaches against such to be use as such an unnatural tool of manipulation, for it ought not be and is a premise upon which will damage the marriage.	1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. 7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his ^aproper ^bgift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.		1^a D&C 128:20; 2^a Mark 9:2 (2-13); Luke 9:29 (28-36); John 1:14; 2 Pet. 1:16 (16-19); TG Jesus Christ, Glory of;
8 I say therefore to the unmarried and ^awidows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. 9 ^aBut if they cannot ^bcontain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to ^cburn.
10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the ^awife ^bdepart from her husband: 11 But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be ^areconciled to her husband: and let not the husband ^bput away his wife.
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. 13 And the woman which hath an ^ahusband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. 14 For the unbelieving ^ahusband is ^bsanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is ^csanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 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 ^ato peace.
16 For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt ^asave thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife? 17 But as ^aGod hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ^bordain I in all churches.
18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not ^abecome uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. 19 ^aCircumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's ^afreeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's ^bservant. 23 Ye are ^abought with a price; be not ye the ^bservants of men. 24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained ^amercy of the Lord to be faithful. 26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present ^adistress, ^bI say, that it is good for a man so to be.
27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. 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.
29 ^aBut this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; 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; 31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the ^afashion of this ^bworld passeth away.
32 But I would have you without ^acarefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
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. 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.
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. 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.
38 ^aSo then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better. 39 The ^awife is bound by the ^blaw 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. 40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.