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"He who stands steadfast in his heart..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 7:37

WISDOM AND FORTITUDE NEEDED

To decide the future of one’s daughter is a heavy responsibility. A father needs to have both wisdom and fortitude to make a good decision.

“Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart,
having no necessity, but has power over his own will,
and has so determined in his heart
that he will keep his virgin, does well.
So then he who gives her in marriage does well,
but he who does not give her in marriage does better.”
1 Corinthians 7:37-38

1. “Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart”

a) The father must have wisdom as to why he would not give his daughter away in marriage.

b) He must also have steadfastness in his heart.

2. “Having no necessity”

a) Sometimes girls were married off because there are significant bridal gifts (dowry).

b) But what if the father does not have such a necessity?

3. “But has power over his own will”

a) He may have good reasons why he would not give his daughter away in marriage.

b) He has the authority (“power”) over his own will (“wish”).

c) He does not need the money that would come in from rich suitors (but the potential groom may not be a good person).

4. “And has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well”

a) Paul commends the wise father who will not yield

i) To pressure.

ii) To monetary gain.

b) He is doing well indeed in refusing to give his daughter away in marriage to an unsuitable person.

5. The conclusion of the matter

a) The father who decides to give his daughter away in marriage, he does well!

i) If there is a suitable groom.

ii) The father will need much wisdom to decide.

b) The father who does not give his daughter away in marriage; He does better!

i) Marriage must never be out of necessity or profit!

ii) He must guide his daughter to understand why marriage is not always the best alternative.