1Cor 7:7-8 | PNT | STEP | I would that all men were as I myself . Had absolute self-control, as I have. His directions all recognize the weakness of human nature, and the need of making no requirements too great for it. But every man hath his proper gift of God . He had the gift of self-control; others might have other gifts which he did not have.

‏ 1 Corinthians 7:7-8

I would that all men were as I myself. Had absolute self-control, as I have. His directions all recognize the weakness of human nature, and the need of making no requirements too great for it.

But every man hath his proper gift of God. He had the gift of self-control; others might have other gifts which he did not have. To the unmarried and widows, etc. If they have his self-control, it is well for them to remain unmarried, even as he. Not that the unmarried state is better, but on account of "the present distress" (1Co 7:26), the critical times. There are times when it is best to remain unmarried; for instance, in a time of war and invasion. The ground of his advice is not moral, but prudential.