1 Corinthians 7:36

But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn’t sin. Let them marry.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately towards his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn’t sin. Let them marry.

BSB

However, if someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his betrothed, and if she is beyond her youth and they ought to marry, let him do as he wishes; he is not sinning; they should get married.

KJV

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.

ASV

But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin [daughter], if she be past the flower of her age, and if need so requireth, let him do what he will; he sinneth not; let them marry.

BBE

But if, in any man's opinion, he is not doing what is right for his virgin, if she is past her best years, and there is need for it, let him do what seems right to him; it is no sin; let them be married.

Original Greek

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Εἰ Ei If G1487 δέ de however G1161 τις tis anyone G5100 ἀσχημονεῖν aschēmonein to be behaving improperly G807 ἐπὶ epi to G1909 τὴν tēn the G3588 παρθένον parthenon virgin G3933 αὐτοῦ autou of him G846 νομίζει nomizei supposes G3543 ἐὰν ean if G1437 ᾖ ē she shall be G1510 ὑπέρακμος huperakmos beyond youth G5230 καὶ kai and G2532 οὕτως houtōs so G3779 ὀφείλει opheilei it ought G3784 γίνεσθαι ginesthai to be G1096 ὃ ho what G3739 θέλει thelei he wills G2309 ποιείτω poieitō he should do G4160 οὐχ ouch not G3756 ἁμαρτάνει hamartanei he does sin G264 γαμείτωσαν gameitōsan they should marry G1060

The early church

"But if any man think that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin." Here he seems to be talking about marriage; but all that he says relates to virginity; for he allows even a second marriage, saying, "only in the Lord." Now what means, "in the Lord?" With chastity, with honor: for this is needed everywhere, and must be pursued for else we cannot see God.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 36–40

The apostle is thought to give advice here about the disposal of children in marriage. In this view, the general meaning is plain. Children should seek and follow the directions of their parents as to marriage. And parents should consult their children's wishes; and not reckon they have power to do with them, and dictate just as they please, without reason. The whole is closed with advice to widows. Second marriages are not unlawful, so that it is kept in mind, to marry in the Lord. In our choice of relations, and change of conditions, we should always be guided by the fear of God, and the laws of God, and act in dependence on the providence of God. Change of condition ought only to be made after careful consideration, and on probable grounds, that it will be to advantage in our spiritual concerns.

Read Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 7 →

Cross-references

4

Topics

ChastityContinence

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.