Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians John Calvin
Commentary on the Corinthians married woman and a virgin are divided: She that is unmarried, thinketh of the things of the Lord," etc. And being divided they understand as meaning to differ, as if it had been said: "There is a great difference between a married woman and a virgin; for the one is at leisure to attend to the things of God exclusively, while the other is taken up with various matters." But as this interpretation is somewhat at variance with the simple meaning of the word, I do not approve of it, especially as the meaning of the other reading (which is found also in some Greek manuscripts) is more suitable and less forced. We may, accordingly, understand it in this manner — that a man who is married is divided, 434 inasmuch as he devotes himself partly to God and partly to his wife, and is not wholly and exclusively God's.
34. The unmarried woman and the virgin. What he had laid down as to men he now declares in like manner as to women — that virgins and widows are not prevented by earthly things from devoting their whole cares and their whole affections to God. Not that all act this part, but that there is opportunity for it, if the mind is so disposed. When he says, that she may be holy in body and in spirit, he shows what kind of chastity is true and acceptable to God — when the mind is kept unpolluted in the sight of God. Would to God that this were more carefully attended to! As to the body, we see what kind of devotement to the Lord there commonly is on the part of monks, nuns, and the whole scum of the Papistical clergy, than whose celibacy nothing can be imagined that is more obscene. 435 But not to speak at present of chastity of body, where is there one to be found among those that are held in admiration in consequence of their reputation for continency, that does not burn with base lusts? We may, however, infer from this statement of Paul, that no chastity is well pleasing to God that does not extend to the soul as well as to the body Would to God that those who prate in such haughty terms as to continency, did but understand that they have to do with God! They would not be so confident in their contendings with us. At the same time, there are none in the present day who dispute on the subject of continency in more magnificent style than those who are openly and in the most shameless manner guilty of fornication. But though they should conduct themselves ever so honorably in the sight of men, that is nothing, if they do not keep their minds pure and exempt from all uncleanness.
35. And this for your benefit. Observe the Apostle's moderation. 436
Though he knew the vexations, troubles, and difficulties of the married life,
434Kypke (in his Observationes Sacrae) renders the original word {μεμέπισται}, as Calvin does --- divided or perplexed, and brings forward a passage from Achilles Tatius, in which {εμεμεριστο} is used in a similar sense. In the Syriac version, on the other hand, the rendering is as follows: Discrimen autem est inter mulierem et virginem --- There is a difference between a wife and a virgin The Greek commentators interpret the clause thus: --- {Μεμέρισται}, {τουτ} {᾿} {εστιν}, {διαφερουσιν} {αλληλων}, {και} {ου} {την} {αὐτην} {εχουσι} {φροντιδὰ} --- They differ from one another and have not the same care Bloomfield considers divided or distracted to be a harsh interpretation, and not agreeable to the context, and renders the clause --- ``There is a difference between.'' --- Ed
435"Plus infame et puante;" — "More infamous and abominable." 436"La prudence et moderation de l'Apostre;" — "The prudence and moderation of the Apostle."