60
CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE
henceforth both those that have wives may be as though they had none; and those that weep, as though they wept not; and those that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and those that buy, as though they possessed not; and those that use the world as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord: but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife. And there is a difference also between the wife and the virgin. She that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction."[1]
We must remember that St. Paul could hardly have realised the possibility of a wife being competent to strengthen and not enfeeble her husband in difficulty and affliction. Himself unmarried, he formed his notion of married life from observation solely, and the testimony thus rendered would not encourage a very exalted opinion of the wife as the comrade and friend of her husband.
- ↑ 1 Corinthians vii. 29-35.
