1Cor 7:2-5 | JFB | STEP | 2. Here the general rule is given to avoid fornication —More literally, " on account of fornications, " to which as being very prevalent at Corinth, and not even counted sins among the heathen, unmarried persons might be tempted. The plural, "fornications," marks irregular lusts, as contrasted with the unity of the marriage relation [BENGEL ]. let every man have —a positive command to all who have not the gift of continency, in fact to the great majority of the world ( ). The dignity of marriage is set forth by Paul ( ), in the fact that it signifies the mystical union between Christ and the Church.

1 Corinthians 7:2-5

2. Here the general rule is given

to avoid fornication—More literally, "on account of fornications," to which as being very prevalent at Corinth, and not even counted sins among the heathen, unmarried persons might be tempted. The plural, "fornications," marks irregular lusts, as contrasted with the unity of the marriage relation [BENGEL].

let every man have—a positive command to all who have not the gift of continency, in fact to the great majority of the world (1Co 7:5). The dignity of marriage is set forth by Paul (Eph 5:25-32), in the fact that it signifies the mystical union between Christ and the Church.

3, 4. The duty of cohabitation on the part of the married.

due benevolence—The oldest manuscripts read simply, "her due"; that is, the conjugal cohabitation due by the marriage contract (compare 1Co 7:4).

4. A paradox. She hath not power over her body, and yet it is her own. The oneness of body in which marriage places husband and wife explains this. The one complements the other. Neither without the other realizes the perfect ideal of man.

5. Defraud . . . not—namely, of the conjugal duty "due" (1Co 7:3; compare the Septuagint, Ex 21:10).

except it be—"unless perchance" [ALFORD].

give yourselves to—literally, "be at leisure for"; be free from interruptions for; namely, on some special "season," as the Greek for "time" means (compare Ex 19:15; Joe 2:16; Zec 7:3).

fasting and prayer—The oldest manuscripts omit "fasting and"; an interpolation, evidently, of ascetics.

come together—The oldest manuscripts read, "be together," namely, in the regular state of the married.

Satan—who often thrusts in his temptations to unholy thoughts amidst the holiest exercises.

for your incontinency—because of your inability to "contain" (1Co 7:9) your natural propensities, which Satan would take advantage of.