The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Corinthians — Section 243

apostle says "It is good [expedient, profitable] for a man not to touch a woman;" and to- those all for celibacy-speaking geuernlly, "Let every roan have his own wife." Both conditions are honourable. \Ve are left to choose between the two. But rules are Ia;id down for guidance. ll. CHOICE BETWEEN THE TWO SHOULD BE LARGELY DETERMINED BY CONDITION AND· cmcuMSTANCE. From vers. 1, 7, 8, 38, it has been too hastily concluded by some that Paul decidedly favours celibacy per se. But ver. 7 is ambicruous, and is thoucrht by not a_ few t~ refer to the gift of conJinence, wh:ch qualifie; a man for single° or wedded hfe, as circumstances may determme; and the other verses, together with this verse, must not be dissevered from ver. 26, which qualifies the whole chapter. Paul has vividly before his mind the surroundings of the Christian Church in his own acre, \Vhat was expedient in the "present distress" might not be desirable under other conditions. And similarly, the "better" might cease to be so under changed circum- stances. We read elsewhere (Heb. xiii. 4) that" marriage is honourable in all." And it is the Apostle Paul himself who elevates marriage to the ioftiest position by employ- ing it as a type of the union between Christ and believers (Eph. v. 25-32). It is also the same apostle who pronounces the prohibition of marriacre to be one of the sicrns of the great apostacy (1 Tim. iv. 3). " It is not good that the man should be alone" (Gen. ii. 18). On Paul's communication to the Corinthians it has been aptly said, "The truth is that the apostle writes to the Corinthians as he would do to an army about to enter on a most unequal conflict in an enemy's country and for a protracted period. He tells them, 'This is no time for you to think of marriage. You have a right to marry. And in general it is best that all men should marry. But in your circum- stances marriage can only lead to embarrassment and suffering.'" '!'his is putting the- matter bluntly. Perhaps it goes a little beyond the apostle's expressed counsel, yet it shows the drift of his advice. It would seem that choice is to be determined by: 1. Con- dition or qualification. Celibacy is not commended to any except those who have the· gift of continence. To many it would prove a snare-an occasion of the most serious evil. It is not at all "good" for the generality, since most men do not possess the necessary qualification. Thus the almost universal injunction in the second verse· follows and qualifies the commendation in the first. Even under adverse temporal circumstances it may thus be better for some to marry. 'l'he apostle is most cautious upon this point, and is in great contrast to Romanists, who relegate to celibacy tho entire priesthood. 2. Circumstances. '!'he "present distress," because of the sorrows, perplexities, and sufferings which it occasioned in so large a degree to those having upon them the responsibilities of married life, inclined the apostle to commend celibacy to those qualified to practise it. We have here valuable suggestions. Marriage is not, to be rashly entered upon. Temporal surroundings and prospects are to be taken into account. Prudence is to be observed in affairs matrimonial. What woeful results- have followed imprudent unions! Many who fall into love seem to fall out of thei~ senses at the same time. Not a few regard marriage as a goal to be reached at all• hazards. They display infinitely more anxiety to get to it than they do to get to heaven •. Evidently they regard it as a most perfect paradise, but when they reach it by the road of folly they generally find that there is a serpent in that garden as in the one of old. Ill. 'l'HE APOSTLE DIBECTB OUR THOUGHT!! TO THE RELATIVE ADVAN'l'AGES OF THE· TWO STATES. 1. Celibacy has less care attaching to it, especially in troublous times. The unmarried have more leisure to attend to the things of the Lord. 'l'he married must concern themselves more about things temporal, and this may prove a dist,raction, injurious to higher duties. A loving wife tends to occupy her mind very largely about her husband, and a loving husband about his wife. There is danger here lest the claims of One who should be far more to us than husband or wife be neglected. '!'his is especially so in days of persecution aud of violent and sudden change. 'l'he beloved object may be threatened with suffering; the price of escape may be unfaith- fulness to God. Here is the pinch; felt terribly in days of darkness. It is easier for many to suffer themselves than to see their dear ones suffer. .And we are apt to excuse conduct which has for its object the welfare of another-when we should be bound to. condemn it if we only were concerned. Shall I see my wife and children exposed to nameless insult and hideous cruelty, or forswear the faith? '!'his was the dread alter~ative set before many a married man in the days of Paul. As we have seen, a. oH. vn. 1-40.J THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 245