Scholarly Resources from Concordia Seminary

Article Title

Spiritual Marriage in the Early Church: A Suggested Interpretation of 1 Cor. 7:36-38

Authors

Roland H. Sedoldt, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

Publication Date

2-1-1959

Document Type

Article

Keywords

spititual marriage, plummer, father-daughter, nestle, luther, robertson

Submission Type

Bible Study; Lecture; Sermon Prep

Abstract

In his commentary on First Corinthians, Karl Heim writes concerning 7:36: "Now comes the passage the interpretation of which has always caused the greatest difficulties. We are especially handicapped in not having the list of questions which the Corinthians addressed to Paul."

The lack of conclusive materials to reconstruct the problem in Corinth has led to an oversimplification. The ancient exegetes interpreted this section as a father-daughter problem in permitting or prohibiting marriage. Until recent times this interpretation was almost universally adopted.

Disciplines

History of Christianity

Scripture References in this Resource (separated by semi-colons)

1 Corinthians 7:36-38; Matthew 22:30; Matthew 24:38; Mark 12:25; Luke 17:27; Luke 20:35; 1 Corinthians 7:32-35; 2 Corinthians 11:12; Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:27;

Submission Cost

Free

Submission Audience

Laity; Ministers; Scholars

Recommended Citation

Sedoldt, Roland H. (1959) "Spiritual Marriage in the Early Church: A Suggested Interpretation of 1 Cor. 7:36-38," Concordia Theological Monthly: Vol. 30, Article 10.
Available at: https://scholar.csl.edu/ctm/vol30/iss1/10