Part 758 (1/2)

By indulgence... That is, by a condescension to your weakness.

7:7. For I would that all men were even as myself. But every one hath his proper gift from G.o.d: one after this manner, and another after that.

7:8. But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they so continue, even as I.

7:9. But if they do not contain themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to be burnt.

If they do not contain, etc... This is spoken of such as are free, and not of such as, by vow, have given their first faith to G.o.d; to whom if they will use proper means to obtain it, G.o.d will never refuse the gift of continency. Some translators have corrupted this text, by rendering it, if they cannot contain.

7:10. But to them that are married, not I, but the Lord, commandeth that the wife depart not from her husband.

7:11. And if she depart, that she remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And let not the husband put away his wife.

7:12. For to the rest I speak, not the Lord. If any brother hath a wife that believeth not and she consent to dwell with him: let him not put her away.

I speak, not the Lord... Viz., by any express commandment, or ordinance.

7:13. And if any woman hath a husband that believeth not and he consent to dwell with her: let her not put away her husband.

7:14. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the believing wife: and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the believing husband.

Otherwise your children should be unclean: but now they are holy.

Is sanctified... The meaning is not, that the faith of the husband or the wife is of itself sufficient to put the unbelieving party, or their children, in the state of grace and salvation; but that it is very often an occasion of their sanctification, by bringing them to the true faith.

7:15. But if the unbeliever depart, let him depart. For a brother or sister is not under servitude in such cases. But G.o.d hath called us in peace.

7:16. For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband?

Or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?

7:17. But as the Lord hath distributed to every one, as G.o.d hath called every one: so let him walk. And so in all churches I teach.

7:18. Is any man called, being circ.u.mcised? Let him not procure uncirc.u.mcision. Is any man called in uncirc.u.mcision? Let him not be circ.u.mcised.

7:19. Circ.u.mcision is nothing and uncirc.u.mcision is nothing: but the observance of the commandments of G.o.d.

7:20. Let every man abide in the same calling in which he was called.

7:21. Wast thou called, being a bondman? Care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

7:22. For he that is called in the Lord, being a bondman, is the freeman of the Lord. Likewise he that is called, being free, is the bondman of Christ.

7:23. You are bought with a price: be not made the bondslaves of men.

7:24. Brethren, let every man, wherein he was called, therein abide with G.o.d.

7:25. Now, concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give counsel, as having obtained mercy of the Lord, to be faithful.

7:26. I think therefore that this is good for the present necessity: that it is good for a man so to be.