Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin (continued)
Commentary on the Corinthians to assist us in a rash attempt. We must, therefore, carefully observe the clause — for your incontinency: for we are exposed to Satan's temptations in consequence of the infirmity of our flesh. If we wish to shut them out, and keep them back, it becomes us to oppose them by the remedy, with which the Lord has furnished us. Those, therefore, act a rash part, who give up the use of the marriage bed. It is as if they had made an agreement with God as to perpetual strength. 379
1 Corinthians 7:6-9
1 Corinthians 7:6-9 6. But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. 6. Hoc autem dico secundum veniam, non secundum praeceptum. 7. For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
7. Optarim enim, omnes homines esse sicut me: sed unusquisque proprium donum habet ex Deo, alius sic, alius autem sic.
8. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
8. Dico autem inconiugatis et viduis: bonum ipsis est, si maneant ut ego. 9. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
9. Si autem non continent, matrimonium contrahant: melius enim est matrimonium contrahere quam uri.
6. By permission That they might not, by taking their stand upon a precept of the kind that he had prescribed, loosen unduly the restraints of lust, 380 he adds a limitation — that he had written these things on account of their infirmity — that they may bear in mind that marriage is a remedy for unchastity, lest they should inordinately abuse the advantage of it, so as to gratify their desire by every means; nay more, without measure or modesty. He has it also in view to meet the cavils of the wicked, that no one might have it in his power to object in this way: "What! are you afraid that husbands and wives will not of their own accord be sufficiently inclined to carnal delight that you prompt them to it?" For even the Papists, those little saints, 381 are offended with this doctrine, and would gladly have a contest with Paul, on the ground of his keeping married persons in mutual cohabitation, and not allowing them to turn aside to a life of celibacy. He assigns, then, a reason for his doctrine, and declares, that he had not recommended connubial intercourse to married persons with the view of alluring them to delight, or as though he took pleasure in commanding it, but had considered what was
379"Qu'il leur donnera tousiours la puissance de s'en passer;" — "That he would give them always the power to do without it."
380"Leurs affections desordonnees;" — "Their inordinate affections." 381"Les hypocrites qui veulent estre estimez de petis saincts;" — "Hypocrites, who wish to be regarded as little saints."