John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication , etc.] Or fornications; meaning either the frequent commission of that sin; or all sorts of uncleanness and pollution, which may be avoided by wedlock, and the proper use of the marriage bed, where the gift of continency is not bestowed: wherefore to prevent unlawful copulations, as of single persons with one another, or of a married person with a single one, the apostle advises, as being what is right and proper, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband ; that is, let every man that has a wife enjoy her, and make use of her, and let every woman that has an husband, receive him into her embraces; for these words are not to be understood of unmarried persons entering into a marriage state, for the words suppose them in such a state, but of the proper use of the marriage bed; and teach us that marriage, and the use of it, are proper remedies against fornication; and that carnal copulation of a man with a woman ought only to be of husband and wife, or of persons in a married state; and that all other copulations are sinful; and that polygamy is unlawful; and that one man is to have but one wife, and to keep to her; and that one woman is to have but one husband, and to keep to him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - The apostle tells the Corinthians that it was good, in that juncture of time, for Christians to keep themselves single. Yet he says tha marriage, and the comforts of that state, are settled by Divine wisdom Though none may break the law of God, yet that perfect rule leaves me at liberty to serve him in the way most suited to their powers an circumstances, of which others often are very unfit judges. All mus determine for themselves, seeking counsel from God how they ought to act.
Greek Textus Receptus
δια 1223 PREP δε 1161 CONJ τας 3588 T-APF πορνειας 4202 N-APF εκαστος 1538 A-NSM την 3588 T-ASF εαυτου 1438 F-3GSM γυναικα 1135 N-ASF εχετω 2192 5720 V-PAM-3S και 2532 CONJ εκαστη 1538 A-NSF τον 3588 T-ASM ιδιον 2398 A-ASM ανδρα 435 N-ASM εχετω 2192 5720 V-PAM-3S
Robertson's NT Word Studies
7:2 {Because of fornications} (dia tas porneias). this is not the only reason for marriage, but it is a true one. The main purpose of marriage is children. Mutual love is another. The family is the basis of all civilization. Paul does not give a low view of marriage, but is merely answering questions put to him about life in Corinth.
