I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
7. For I should wish, that all. This is connected with the exposition of the foregoing statement; for he does not fail to intimate, what is the more convenient way, but he wishes every one to consider what has been given him. “Donne de Dieu;” — “Given by God.” Why, then, has he, a little before, spoken not by way of commandment?
The apostle comes now, as a faithful and skilful casuist, to answer some cases of conscience which the Corinthians had proposed to him. Those were things whereof they wrote to him, Co1 7:1. As the lips of ministers should keep knowledge, so the people should ask the law at their mouths. The apostle was as ready to resolve as they were to propose their doubts.
Commenting on 1 Corinthians 7:1-9
For I would that all men were even as I myself,.... The apostle speaks not of his state and condition, as married or unmarried, for it is not certain which he was; some think he had a wife, others not: it looks, however, as if he had not at this time, as appears from Co1 7:8 but be it which it will, it can hardly...