1 Corinthians 7:36

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ 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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Now if a man thinks he is behaving dishonorably by treating his fiancée this way, and if there is strong sexual desire, so that marriage is what ought to happen; then let him do what he wants — he is not sinning: let them get married.

Berean Standard Bible:

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.

American Standard Version:

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.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

But^{G1161} if any man^{G1536} think^{G3543} that he behaveth himself uncomely^{G807} toward^{G1909} his^{G846} virgin^{G3933}, if^{G1437} she pass the flower of her age^{{G5230}{G5600}}, and^{G2532} need^{G3784} so^{G3779} require^{G1096}, let him do^{G4160} what^{G3739} he will^{G2309}, he sinneth^{G264} not^{G3756}: let them marry^{G1060}.

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Commentary for 1 Corinthians 7:36

1 Corinthians 7:36 is part of a larger discussion in the apostle Paul's first letter to the Corinthians regarding marriage and singleness. In this verse, Paul addresses a specific situation concerning a man and his virgin daughter, although some interpretations suggest it could also refer to a man and his fiancée. The historical context of Corinth was a city with a diverse cultural and religious background, known for its sexual immorality.

The verse speaks to the theme of appropriate conduct within familial relationships, particularly the responsibility of a father (or guardian) towards his unmarried daughter (or betrothed). The "flower of her age" refers to the daughter being past the optimal age for marriage in that cultural context, which could lead to social and personal difficulties, including the temptation to engage in sexual immorality due to prolonged unmarried status.

Paul advises that if a man (the father or guardian) believes he is not acting honorably by keeping his daughter unmarried beyond the usual age, and if her needs and circumstances suggest that marriage would be beneficial, he is free to give his consent for her to marry. The father doing so would not be sinning, implying that it is better for the couple to marry than to burn with passion or face potential social pressures.

This verse reflects a pragmatic approach to marriage, emphasizing that marriage is not a sinful institution but rather a means to avoid sexual immorality and fulfill natural desires within the bounds of God's will. Paul's broader message in the chapter is that both singleness and marriage are honorable states, each with its own advantages and challenges, and individuals should make decisions about marriage according to their circumstances and God's calling in their lives.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G1536
   There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἴ τις
   Transliteration: eí tis
   Pronunciation: i tis
   Description: from εἰ and τὶς; if any:--he that, if a(-ny) man('s thing, from any, ought), whether any, whosoever.
   
3. Strong's Number: G3543
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: νομίζω
   Transliteration: nomízō
   Pronunciation: nom-id'-zo
   Description: from νόμος; properly, to do by law (usage), i.e. to accustom (passively, be usual); by extension, to deem or regard:-- suppose, thing, be wont.
   
4. Strong's Number: G807
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀσχημονέω
   Transliteration: aschēmonéō
   Pronunciation: as-kay-mon-eh'-o
   Description: from ἀσχήμων; to be (i.e. act) unbecoming:--behave self uncomely (unseemly).
   
5. Strong's Number: G1909
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐπί
   Transliteration: epí
   Pronunciation: ep-ee'
   Description: a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the dative case) at, on, etc.; of direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.:--about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with. In compounds it retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).
   
6. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
7. Strong's Number: G3933
   There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: παρθένος
   Transliteration: parthénos
   Pronunciation: par-then'-os
   Description: of unknown origin; a maiden; by implication, an unmarried daughter:--virgin.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1437
   There are 254 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐάν
   Transliteration: eán
   Pronunciation: eh-an'
   Description: from εἰ and ἄν; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:--before, but, except, (and) if, (if) so, (what-, whither-)soever, though, when (-soever), whether (or), to whom, (who-)so(-ever). See μή.
   
9. Strong's Number: G5230
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑπέρακμος
   Transliteration: hypérakmos
   Pronunciation: hoop-er'-ak-mos
   Description: from ὑπέρ and the base of ἀκμήν; beyond the "acme", i.e. figuratively (of a daughter) past the bloom (prime) of youth:--+ pass the flower of (her) age.
   
10. Strong's Number: G5600
    There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὦ
    Transliteration: ō
    Pronunciation: ay
    Description: the subjunctive of εἰμί; (may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with εἰ and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be:--+ appear, are, (may, might, should) be, X have, is, + pass the flower of her age, should stand, were.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
12. Strong's Number: G3784
    There are 35 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὀφείλω
    Transliteration: opheílō
    Pronunciation: of-i-leh'-o
    Description: probably from the base of ὄφελος (through the idea of accruing); to owe (pecuniarily); figuratively, to be under obligation (ought, must, should); morally, to fail in duty:--behove, be bound, (be) debt(-or), (be) due(-ty), be guilty (indebted), (must) need(-s), ought, owe, should. See also ὄφελον.
    
13. Strong's Number: G3779
    There are 206 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὕτω
    Transliteration: hoútō
    Pronunciation: hoo'-toce
    Description: adverb from οὗτος; in this way (referring to what precedes or follows):--after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what.
    
14. Strong's Number: G1096
    There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γίνομαι
    Transliteration: gínomai
    Pronunciation: ghin'-om-ahee
    Description: a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):--arise, be assembled, be(-come, -fall, -have self), be brought (to pass), (be) come (to pass), continue, be divided, draw, be ended, fall, be finished, follow, be found, be fulfilled, + God forbid, grow, happen, have, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, pass, be performed, be published, require, seem, be showed, X soon as it was, sound, be taken, be turned, use, wax, will, would, be wrought.
    
15. Strong's Number: G4160
    There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ποιέω
    Transliteration: poiéō
    Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
    Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω.
    
16. Strong's Number: G3739
    There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ὅς
    Transliteration: hós
    Pronunciation: ho
    Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
    
17. Strong's Number: G2309
    There are 201 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θέλω
    Transliteration: thélō
    Pronunciation: eth-el-eh'-o
    Description: apparently strengthened from the alternate form of αἱρέομαι; to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas βούλομαι properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations), i.e. choose or prefer (literally or figuratively); by implication, to wish, i.e. be inclined to (sometimes adverbially, gladly); impersonally for the future tense, to be about to; by Hebraism, to delight in:--desire, be disposed (forward), intend, list, love, mean, please, have rather, (be) will (have, -ling, - ling(-ly)).
    
18. Strong's Number: G264
    There are 96 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ἁμαρτάνω
    Transliteration: hamartánō
    Pronunciation: ham-ar-tan'-o
    Description: perhaps from Α (as a negative particle) and the base of μέρος; properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin:--for your faults, offend, sin, trespass.
    
19. Strong's Number: G3756
    There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐ
    Transliteration: ou
    Pronunciation: ookh
    Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
    
20. Strong's Number: G1060
    There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: γαμέω
    Transliteration: gaméō
    Pronunciation: gam-eh'-o
    Description: from γάμος; to wed (of either sex):--marry (a wife).