1 Corinthians 7:36Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"But if anyone thinks that he is acting unbecomingly toward his virgin" (1 Cor. 7:36). Here he seems to be speaking about marriage, but he directs everything toward the discourse on virginity. Even when allowing a second marriage, he says, "only in the Lord" (1 Cor. 7:39).

What does "in the Lord" mean? With chastity, with honor. These virtues are needed everywhere, and one must care for them. Otherwise it is impossible to see God. If we do not now speak at length about virginity, let no one accuse us of laziness. We have composed a whole book on this subject, in which we set everything forth with all possible exactness. Therefore we consider it superfluous to repeat the same things here again.

Verse 36a. If someone, he says, being truly weak in soul, considers it dishonorable to leave his daughter a virgin, especially if she has passed mature age, then let it be so, he says. How then? Let him do what he wills. That is, if he wishes to give her in marriage, let him do so, for he does not sin. Yet it is better to keep the virgin, as he says further on.

If someone has a virgin, and after preserving his vow for a certain time learns that he is unable to keep it, he should not be ashamed because of the time already passed.

But if someone notices that his virgin, that is, his flesh, lusts and burns with desire, and cannot restrain himself, then a double necessity lies upon him: either to take a wife or to fall. He may do what he wills. He does not sin if he marries. Yet, he says, by this he does what he wills, not what he ought. He does not sin if he marries, but he does not do well if he marries.

Since above honor is given to the idea of virginity kept and continued, so that marriages in comparison might almost seem useless and rejected, Paul now shows that a virgin does not sin if she marries. He does this so that he may not appear to be an opponent of their marriage. But she undertakes a more difficult work, which has no reward before God, though it also has no punishment.

He himself wants Christians to be better in everything. Therefore, if she desires marriage and has already matured for it, it is better that this happen. Let her enter openly into an honorable marriage according to the permission of the law, rather than do this secretly to her own shame.

But whoever regards the unmarried life as improper and therefore wishes to give his daughter in marriage, let him act according to his own judgment, because marriage is free from sin. Yet here again the Apostle gave a command concerning those who have not yet chosen virginity.

On the basis of what has been said above, it would be better for virgins to remain in virginity, although it is also good for them to be given in marriage (1 Cor 7:36-38). Bringing forward for example and comparison two fathers who care for the arrangement of their daughters, the Apostle says that "he who gives his virgin in marriage does well, but he who does not give her does better."

Applying his general thoughts and particular views to individual circumstances, the Apostle gives fathers counsel concerning virgins. When possible, they should hold to the better course, that is, help their daughters remain in virginity. They should not be constrained by the customary view of the pagan Corinthians, who, by contrast, considered it more fitting for every adult virgin to marry.

The Apostle does not condemn this custom. He even advises that it be followed when this is recognized as necessary. He only requires that everything be weighed, so that the final decision be founded on full conviction of its rightness. Essential attention must be given to the agreement with this decision of the person whom it concerns.

If someone, not understanding the high comeliness of virginity, thinks that it will be shameful for him to leave his daughter among virgins for some worldly considerations. Or thinks that for some reason this will not be convenient for his daughter and will be disapproved in people's opinion, while she is already of age and beginning to pass beyond full maturity, then let him do as he wishes.

That is, if he thinks it unseemly not to give his daughter in marriage, and unseemly for her to remain as she is, namely unmarried, there is no sin. Let her marry. That is, let marriage be arranged for such persons.