marry. In all cases of indifference, where no moral principle is concerned, our conduct must be regulated by a wise con- sideration of circumstances. But where a thing is in its own nature either right or wrong, there is no room for discretion.
37. Nevertheless he that standeth steadfast 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.
He that standeth steadfast in his hearty i. e. whose judg- ment is settled and firm, being fully persuaded of the inexpe- diency of his daughter's marrying. Having no necessity^ i. e. being controlled by no external necessity ; nothing, in other words, rendering it necessary for him to act contrary to his own judgment. £ut hath power over his own will, i. e. is able to act as he pleases, or according to his judgment. And hath so decreed in his heart, i. e. has fully made up his mind, to keep his virgin, i. e. to keep his daughter unmarried ; he doeth well.
38. So then he that giveth (her) in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth (her) not in marriage doeth better.
As there is no sin in marriage, and no superior virtue in celibacy, it is a mere question of expediency, to be determined by the circumstances of each particular case. All Paul says is that, other things being equal, it is better (i. e. wiser) not to marry than to marry ; on account, as he before said, of im- pending calamities.
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.
The uniform doctrine of the New Testament is, that mar- riage is a contract for life, between one man and one woman, indissoluble by the will of the parties or by any human au- thority ; but that the death of either party leaves the survivor free to contract another marriage. • See Rom. 7, 1-3. Such