1 Corinthians 7:6

6 But I say this thing as giving leave, not by commandment. [+Forsooth I say this thing by indulgence, not after commandment.]

1 Corinthians 7:6 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 7:6

But I speak this by permission
Referring either to what he had said before, though not to all; not to ( 1 Corinthians 7:2 ) that for the avoiding of fornication, every man should make use of his own wife, and every woman of her own husband; since this is not by permission, but by command, ( Genesis 2:24 ) that carnal copulation should be between one man and one woman in a married state; nor to ( 1 Corinthians 7:3 1 Corinthians 7:4 ) for that married persons ought to render due benevolence to, and not defraud each other, having a power over each other's bodies, is a precept, and not a permission, ( Exodus 21:10 ) but to ( 1 Corinthians 7:5 ) their parting for a time, and coming together again: it is not an absolute command of God that they should separate for a time, on account of fasting and prayer, but if they thought fit to do so by agreement, they might; nor was there any positive precept for their coming together again directly, after such service was over. The apostle said this,

not of commandment;
but, consulting their good, gives this advice, lest Satan should be busy with them, and draw them into sin; but if they had the gift of continence, they might continue apart longer; there was no precise time fixed by God, nor did the apostle pretend to fix any: or it may refer to what follows after, that he would have all men be as he was; though he laid no injunction, but left them to their liberty; unless it can be thought to regard marriage in general, and to be said in opposition to a Jewish notion, which makes marriage (hwum) , a "command";

``a man, they say ^F6, is bound to this command at seventeen years of age, and if he passes twenty and does not marry, he transgresses, and makes void an affirmative precept;''

but the apostle puts it as a matter of choice, and not of obligation.

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 Maimon. Hilch, Isbot, c. 15. sect. 2.

1 Corinthians 7:6 In-Context

4 The woman hath not power of her body, but the husband; [also forsooth] and the husband hath not power of his body, but the woman [but the wife].

5 Do not ye defraud each to other [Do not defraud together], but peradventure of consent for a time, that ye give attention to prayer; and again turn again to the same thing, lest Satan tempt you for your uncontinence.

6 But I say this thing as giving leave, not by commandment. [+Forsooth I say this thing by indulgence, not after commandment.]

7 For I will, that all men be as myself. But each man hath his proper gift of God; one thus, and another thus.

8 But I say to them, that be not wedded, and to widows [and widows], it is good to them, if they dwell so as I.