“He who marries
His betrothed
Does well.
He who refrains
From marriage
Will do better.”
ὥστε καὶ ὁ γαμίζων τὴν ἑαυτοῦ παρθένον καλῶς ποιεῖ, καὶ ὁ μὴ γαμίζων κρεῖσσον ποιήσει.
Paul said that he who married (ὥστε καὶ ὁ γαμίζων) his betrothed virgin (τὴν ἑαυτοῦ παρθένον) does well (καλῶς ποιεῖ). He who refrained from marriage (καὶ ὁ μὴ γαμίζων) would do better (κρεῖσσον ποιήσει). Only the Pauline letters used this word κρεῖσσον, that means better, stronger, or more excellent. Paul indicated that there was not anything wrong with marrying a betrothed virgin. Anyone would be doing well to do so. However, Paul added that it would be better or more excellent if he did not marry at all. Paul had his preference for celibacy. Do you think that celibacy is better than marriage?
