What does 1 Corinthians 7:36 mean regarding marriage and celibacy? Text and Immediate Context “If anyone thinks he is acting improperly toward his virgin, if she is past her youth and it must be so, he may do as he wishes. He is not sinning; let them marry.” (1 Corinthians 7:36) Paul has spent all of chapter 7 answering Corinthian questions about marriage, celibacy, and divorce. Verses 25-38 form a single paragraph on the status of the “virgin” (Greek parthenos) and the believer’s freedom either to remain single for undivided devotion to the Lord or to proceed to marriage without guilt. Verse 36 is the permissive clause that balances Paul’s earlier commendation of singleness (vv. 7, 32-34). Historical-Cultural Background: Betrothal and Paternal Responsibility First-century betrothal was legally binding. A father (patria potestas in Roman law) arranged his daughter’s marriage and bore social responsibility for her reputation. Papyri from Oxyrhynchus (P.Oxy. 744, 2nd cent.) show contracts in which failure to consummate could lead to litigation. If a daughter crossed the conventional marrying age—often her late teens—critics could charge the father with negligence. Thus Paul’s phrase “if she is past her youth and it must be so” fits a paternal scenario. Paul’s Concession versus Command Throughout chapter 7 Paul distinguishes between apostolic commands (vv. 10-11, 39) and Spirit-guided concessions (vv. 6, 26). Verse 36 is a concession: 1. “he may do as he wishes” – voluntary choice; not compelled by law. 2. “he is not sinning” – removes any scruple that marriage would displease God. 3. “let them marry” – echoes v. 9, “it is better to marry than to burn with passion” . Theological Themes: Liberty, Gifts, and Holiness 1. Liberty in Christ – Believers are free within God’s moral boundaries (Galatians 5:13). 2. Diverse Gifts – Celibacy is a charism (1 Corinthians 7:7), not a universal mandate. 3. Sanctity of Marriage – From Eden onward marriage is honorable (Genesis 2:24; Hebrews 13:4). 4. Undivided Devotion – Singleness can maximize ministry focus (vv. 32-35), but marriage is equally valid for glorifying God (Colossians 3:17). Harmonizing with the Larger Scriptural Witness • Genesis 2:24 establishes the creational norm of one-flesh union. • Matthew 19:11-12 shows Christ praising voluntary singleness “for the sake of the kingdom.” • 1 Timothy 4:3 rebukes ascetic teachers who “forbid marriage.” • Revelation 19:7 portrays redeemed humanity collectively as the Bride, underscoring that earthly marriage mirrors a greater eschatological reality. Common Misunderstandings Addressed MYTH 1: Paul discourages marriage as spiritually inferior. FACT: He honors both states; the issue is practical utility amid “the present distress” (v. 26). MYTH 2: Celibacy is holier by definition. FACT: Holiness is obedience to one’s calling (Romans 12:1). Unwilled celibacy can foster temptation (v. 9). MYTH 3: A father sins if he releases a daughter to marry. FACT: Verse 36 declares the opposite; paternal guardianship aims at the daughter’s best interest, including timely marriage. Practical Application for Believers Today 1. Evaluate calling: Has God gifted you for undivided service or for marriage? 2. Guard purity but avoid legalistic delay: extended engagement without wedding plans often magnifies temptation. 3. Parents as counselors, not controllers: guide adult children toward godly marriage when appropriate, releasing them joyfully. 4. Church community: support both singles and couples, recognizing each as indispensable to the body of Christ. Conclusion: Balanced Counsel Rooted in Freedom and Responsibility 1 Corinthians 7:36 affirms that marriage, entered at the right time and for the right reasons, is free from stigma. Whether the verse addresses a father or a fiancé, its principle is identical: where protracted abstinence endangers virtue or violates prudence, believers may marry without guilt. Celibacy remains a blessed option for those so gifted, yet Scripture nowhere elevates it above marriage in intrinsic holiness. In every state the aim is the same—“whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). |
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