# Interpretation of the First Letter to the Corinthians

- Author: [Theodoret of Cyrus](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/theodoret-of-cyrus/)
- Latin title: *Interpretatio in primam epistulam ad Corinthios*
- Date: ca. 436-448 (approximate)
- Source: J.-P. Migne, ed., Patrologia Graeca 82 (Paris)

- Translation: Claude, from the original text, unless a passage says otherwise; each passage below gives the translator
- Editions and translations: J.-P. Migne, ed., Patrologia Graeca 82 (Paris, 1864)
- Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/
- Passages: 24

## On 1 Cor 7:7.1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-1
- Source: PG 82:273
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret explains that the Corinthians had asked whether baptized married people should continue marital relations, and that Paul praises continence while allowing marriage.

### Greek text

« Περὶ δ' ὧν ἐγράψατέ μοι, καλὸν ἀνθρώπῳ γυναιχὸς μὴ ἅπτεσθαι. » Σαφῶς δελήλωχεν, ὡς περὶ ὧν ἐκεῖνοι τὰς πεύσεις προσήνεγχαν, ποιεῖται τὰς ἀποκρίσεις, Ἤροντο δὲ οἱ Κορίνθιοι, εἰ χρὴ τῷ νόμῳ γάμον γυναιξὶ συναφθέντας, εἶτα τοῦ σωτηρίον βαπτίσματος ἀξιωθέντας, τῆς γαμιχῆς ὁμιλίας μεταλαγχάνειν. Γράφει ταίνυν, τὴν μὲν ἐγχράτειαν ἐπαινῶν, τἧς δὲ πορνείας κατηγορῶν, συγχωρῶν δὲ τὴν γαμικχὴν κοινωνίαν, Εἰρηχὼς γὰρ, ὅτι καλὸν

### English translation (Claude)

“Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me: it is good for a man not to touch a woman.” He has shown clearly that he is answering the matters on which they brought inquiries. The Corinthians asked whether those who had been joined to wives by the law of marriage, and were then deemed worthy of saving baptism, ought to share in marital intercourse. He writes, then, praising continence, accusing sexual immorality, and conceding marital fellowship. For having said that it is good …

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:1: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Theodoret's Interpretation of 1 Corinthians has no public-domain English translation; the translation was re-read against the Greek. Refs follow the verses commented on. The scan's OCR breaks off at the column end (marked “…”). Quotation: 1 Cor 7:1.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.1 (PG 82:273; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-2
- Source: PG 82:273
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret notes that Paul gives the same rule to husbands and wives because they share one nature.

### Greek text

«Διὰ δὲ τὰς πορνείας ἕχαστος τὴν ἰδίαν γυναῖκα ἐχέτω, καὶ ἑκάστη τὸν ἴδιον ἄνδρα ἐχέτω. » Τὰ αὐτὰ δὲ καὶ ἀνδράσι καὶ γυναιξὶ νομοθετεῖ, ἐπειδὴ μία ἡ φύσις. Εὐκαίρως δὲ τὸ διὰ τὰς πορνείᾳς προστέθειχκεν, ἐπειδὴ ταύτης ἤδη χατη-

### English translation (Claude)

“But because of sexual immorality let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.” He legislates the same things for husbands and for wives, since the nature is one. And he has added “because of sexual immorality” opportunely, since he had already accused [them] of this …

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:2: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Cor 5:1: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The comment breaks off at the column end in the scan's OCR (marked “…”); the earlier accusation is 1 Cor 5:1 and 6:13–18. Quotation: 1 Cor 7:2.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.2 (PG 82:273; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-2).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-3
- Source: PG 82:273
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret reads 1 Cor 7:3 as a law of equal chastity for husbands and wives, unlike human laws made by men for their own indulgence.

### Greek text

«Τῇ γυναικὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ τὴν ὀφειλομένην εὔνοιαν ἀποδιδότω, ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ ἡ γυνὴ τῷ ἀνδρί. ν» Περὶ σωφροσύνης ταῦτα νομοθετεῖ, καὶ τῶν ἄνδρα καὶ τὴν γυναῖχα ἴσως ἕχχειν χελεύων τὸν τοῦ γάμου ζυγὸν, καὶ μὴ ἑτέρωσε βλέπειν καὶ διαφθεέρςειν τὴν ζεύγλην, ἀλλὰ τὴν προσήχουσαν ἀλλήλοις εὔνοιαν ἀπονέμειν. Τῷ δὲ ἀνδρὶ προτέρῳ τοῦτο νεγομοθέτηχεν, ἐπειδὴ ς γυναιχὸς χεφαλὴ ὁ ἀνήρ. Οἱ μὲν γὰρ ἀνθρώπινοι νόμοι ταῖς μὲν γυναιξὶ διαγορεύουσι σωφρονεῖν, καὶ χολάζουσι παραθδαινούσας τὸν νόμον" τοὺς δέ γε ἄνδρας τὴν ἴσην σωφροσύνην οὐχ ἀπαιτοῦσιν. “Ανὸρες γὰρ ὄντες οἱ τεθειχότες τοὺς νόμους, τῆς ἰσότητος οὐχ ἐφρόντισαν, ἀλλὰ σφίσι σνγγνῴμην. ἀπένειμαν. Ὁ δέ γε θεῖος ᾿Απόστολος, ὑπὰ τῆς θείας χάριτος ἐμπνεόμενος, τοῖς ἀνδράσι πρώτοις νομοθετεῖ σωφρον σύνην᾽ ἐπειδὴ δὲ συνέδαινε τῆς ἐγχρατείας ἢ γυναῖ» κας ἣ ἄνδρας ἐφιεμένους, καὶ τῶν ὁμοζύγων οὐ βουλομένων, τῆς γαμιχῆς ὁμιλίας χωρίζεσθαι, εἰχότως καὶ περὶ τούτου διαγορεύει.

### English translation (Claude)

“Let the husband render to the wife the goodwill that is due, and likewise the wife to the husband.” He legislates these things about chastity, bidding husband and wife draw the yoke of marriage equally, and not look elsewhere and corrupt the yoke, but render each other the fitting goodwill. He has legislated this to the husband first, since the husband is the head of the wife. For human laws bid women be chaste and punish those who transgress the law, but do not demand equal chastity of men. Since those who laid down the laws were men, they took no thought for equality, but granted themselves indulgence. But the divine Apostle, inspired by divine grace, legislates chastity first for husbands. And since it happened that wives or husbands, desiring continence, separated from marital intercourse when their spouses did not wish it, he rightly gives direction about this too.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:3: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Cor 11:3: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Theodoret's text of 1 Cor 7:3 reads “the goodwill that is due” (τὴν ὀφειλομένην εὔνοιαν). He contrasts the civil laws, which punished wives' unchastity but not husbands', with the Apostle's. Allusion: 1 Cor 11:3; Eph 5:23.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.3 (PG 82:273; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-3).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-4
- Source: PG 82:275
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret explains that husband and wife, being one flesh, have authority over each other's bodies, and that abstinence must be by agreement, for a time, for fasting and prayer.

### Greek text

ε« Ἡ γυνὴ τοῦ ἰδίου σώματος οὐχ ἑξουσιάζει, ἀλλ᾽ ὁ ἀνὴρ. Ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ τοῦ ἰδίου σώματος οὐχ ἐξουσιάζει, ἀλλ᾽ ἡ γυνή. » Ἐπειδὴ μίαν γὰρ αὐτοὺς ὁ τοῦ γάμου νόμος ἀπέφηνε σάρκα, εἰχότως καὶ τὸ τῆς γυναιχὸς σῶμα τοῦ ἀνδρὸς προσηγόρευσε, καὶ αὖ πάλιν τὸ τοῦ ἀνδρὸς ὑπὸ τὴν ἐξουσίαν τέθεικξΞ τῆς γυναιχός. Ἐνταῦθα μέντοι ταῖς γυναιξὶ πρώταις τὸν νόμον προσήνεγχεν " ἐπειδὴ αὗται μάλιστα πρὸ τῶν ἀνδρῷν. εἰώθααιν ἀσπάζεαθαι τὴν ἐγχράτειαν. εἰς ς Μὴ ἀποστερεῖτε ἀλλήλοις, εἰ μήτε ἂν ἐλ συμφώνου πρὸς χαιρὸν, ἵνα σχολάζητε τῇ. νηστείᾳ καὶ τῇ προσευχῇ, καὶ πάλιν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὰ αυνέρχησθε "Ὁ δὲ τούς, ἐθέλων δίδωσιν. "Αγαν τοίνυν ἁρμοδίως τοῦτο τέθειχεν ἐπὶ τῶν οὐ συμφώνως τὴν ἐγκράτειαν αἱρουμέγων. Τῆς γὰρ δΉ μόνης γυναιχὺς ταύτην ἀσπαζομένης, δυσχεραίνει δήπουθεν ὁ ἀνὴρ, ὡς παρὰ τὴν αὐτοῦ γνώμην ἐγχρατευομένης ἐχείνης. Ταὐτὸ δὲ τοῦτο καὶ ἡ γυνὴ τὸ πάθος ὑπομένει, τοῦ ἀνδρὸς αἱρουμένου τὰ χρείττονα " εἰχότως τοίνυν ἔφη" Μὴ ἀποστερεῖτε ἀ.1λήιϊους, καὶ προστέθειχεν, εἰ μή τι ἂν ἐκ συμφώγου" καὶ τῆς φύσεως εἰδὼς τὴν ἀσθένειαν, ἐπήγαγε, πρὸς καιρόν. ᾿Ἐδίδαξε δὲ καὶ τὸν χαιρὸν εἰπών - Ἵνα σχοϊάζητε τῇ νηστείᾳ καὶ τῇ προσευχῇ. Δεῖ γὰρ τῇ ἁγιωσύνῃ τὴν νηστείαν τιμᾶσθαι. Μετὰ δὲ τὴν νηστείαν ἐπιτρέπει τὴν ὁμιλίαν. Τοῦτο γὰρ λέγει, καὶ πάλιν» ἐπὶ τὸ αὑτὸ συνέρχησθε. Καὶ διδάσχων ὡς ἕτερον ὑφορώμενος ταῦτα νομοθετεῖ, ἐπήγαγεν" « Ἵνα μὴ πειράξῃ ὑμᾶς ὁ Σατανᾶς. » Καὶ δειχνὺς ὡς ἡμεῖς τὴν ἐχείνου καθ᾽ ἡμῶν αὔξομεν δυναστείαν, προστέθειχε, « Διὰ τὴν ἀκρασίαν ὑμῶν.» Ὑμῶν γὰρ ῥᾳθυμίᾳ συξώντων, καὶ δουλεύειν αἴρουμένων ταῖς ἡδοναῖς, πρόφασιν ὁ διάδολος «ἧς καθ᾽ ὑμῶν παρατάξεως. “Ὅτι δὲ τῇ τῶν ἀνθρώπὼν ἀσθενείᾳ τοὺς νόμους ἐμέτρησεν, ἐδίδαξε διὰ. τῶν ἑξῆς.

### English translation (Claude)

“The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband; likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife.” Since the law of marriage declared them one flesh, he rightly called the wife's body the husband's, and again placed the husband's under the wife's authority. Here, however, he brought the law to wives first, since they especially, more than husbands, are wont to embrace continence. “Do not deprive one another, except by agreement for a time, that you may devote yourselves to fasting and prayer, and come together again.” … willingly gives. He has, then, set this down very fittingly for those who choose continence without agreement. For if the wife alone embraces it, the husband is surely displeased, since she practises continence against his judgment; and the wife suffers the same feeling when the husband chooses the better things. Rightly, then, he said, “Do not deprive one another,” and added, “except by agreement”; and knowing the weakness of nature, he added, “for a time.” He taught the time too, saying, “that you may devote yourselves to fasting and prayer”; for fasting must be honoured with holiness. After the fast he permits intercourse; for this is what he says: “and come together again.” And teaching that he legislates these things suspecting something else, he added: “so that Satan may not tempt you.” And showing that we ourselves increase his power against us, he added: “because of your lack of self-control.” For when you live in sloth and choose to serve pleasures, [you give] the devil a pretext for his battle against you. And that he measured the laws to human weakness, he taught by what follows.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:4–5: quotation, high confidence
- Gen 2:24: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The scan's OCR is garbled after the quotation of 1 Cor 7:5 (marked “…”; the surviving words suggest that what is given must be given willingly); the garble was removed by a logged correction. Quotations: 1 Cor 7:4–5; allusion: Gen 2:24.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.4 (PG 82:275; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-4).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-6
- Source: PG 82:275
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret explains that Paul sets out continence as perfection while conceding marriage, and calls marriage too a gift of God.

### Greek text

ζ΄. «Τοῦτο δὲ λέγω χατὰ συγγνώμην, οὐ κατ᾿ ἐπιταγήν. Θέλω. γὰρ πάντας ἀνθρώπους εἶναι ὡς καὶ ἐμαυτόν "1.» Ἐν ἐγχρατείᾳ καὶ τὴν τελειότητα ὑπἐδειξε, καὶ τὰ ἐλάττονα συνεχώρησε" καὶ τὰ μὲν τῆς ἀσθενείας ἀλεξίκαχα φάρμακα ὁ λόγος προσήνεγχεν" ἐπὶ δὲ τῇ τῶν χρειττόνων αἱρέσει τὸ ἀρχέτυπον διεγείρει " ἑαυτὸν δὲ ἀρχέτυπόν τε προὔθηχε, τῆς οἷχείας ἡμῖν ἁγνείας ἀναγχασθεὶς ἀποχαλύψαι τὸν πλοῦτον. «᾿Αλλ᾽ ἕχαστος ἴδιον χάρισμα ἔχει ἐχ Θεοῦ, ὃς μὲν οὕτως, ὃς δὲ οὕτως. » Παρεμνθέσατο καὶ τοὺς ἐν γάμῳ, χάρισμα Θεοῦ προσαγορεύσας τὸν γάμον. Ὑπ’ ἐχείνης γάρ τις τῆς χάριτος βοηθούμενος, καὶ τὴν ἐν γάμῳ χατορθοῖ σωφροσύνην. Ἐπιχουρεῖ δὲ ἡ χάρις τοῖς τὴν ἀγαθὴν εἰσφέρουσι προθυμέαν. « Αἰτεῖτε γὰρ, φησὶ, καὶ δοθήπεται ὑμῖν " ζητεῖτε, καὶ εὑρήσετε,» Ταῦτα πρὸς τὰς Κορινθίων ἐρωτῆσείς ἀποχρινάμενος, καὶ τὰ πρόσφορα τοῖς ἂν γάμῳ νομοθετήσας, γράφει καὶ τοῖς μηδέπω τοῦ γάμου τὸν ζυγὸν δεξαμένοις, καὶ τοῖς δεξαμένοις βὲν, εἶτα δὲ τῷ θανάτῳ διαξευχθεῖσι, καὶ τὴν χηρεῖαν ὀδυρομένοις, ἃ προσήκει ποιεῖν. 

### English translation (Claude)

“But I say this by way of concession, not of command. For I wish all men to be as I myself am.” In continence. He both showed perfection and conceded the lesser things; the word offered remedies to ward off the harm of weakness, while for the choice of the better it rouses by an example; and he set himself forth as the example, compelled to reveal to us the wealth of his own purity. “But each has his own gift from God, one in this way, another in that.” He consoled those in marriage too, calling marriage a gift of God. For one who is helped by that grace achieves chastity in marriage too. And grace helps those who bring good eagerness: “For ask,” he says, “and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find.” Having answered these things to the Corinthians' questions, and legislated what is suitable for those in marriage, he writes also to those who have not yet received the yoke of marriage, and to those who received it and were then separated by death and lament their widowhood, what they ought to do.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:6–7: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 7:7: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Leaked Latin at the end was removed by a logged correction. Quotations: 1 Cor 7:6–7; Matt 7:7.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.6 (PG 82:275; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-6).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-8
- Source: PG 82:275
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret takes 1 Cor 7:8 to show that Paul was himself unmarried, not a widower, and begins to explain that the counsel applies to both sexes.

### Greek text

ε Λέγω δὲ τοῖς ἀγάμοις, καὶ ταῖς χήρα, " χαλὸν αὐτοῖς ἐστὶν ξὰν μέξνωσιν ὡς χἀγώ. ν "Ἔδειξα πάλιν ἑαυτὸν τῆς τῶν ἀγάμων ὄντα συμμορίας. Οὐ γὰρ δῇ τις αὐτὸν εἰχότως ταῖς χηρενούσαις νεανίας ὧν " ἔτι ὅτα τῆς χλήσεως ἠξιώθη. Μηδεὶς δὲ αὐτὸν οἰέσθω τὴν μὲν ἀγαμίαν τοῖς ἀνδράσι, τὴν δέ 1ε μετὰ τὸν γάμον ἐγχράτειαν ταῖς γυναιξὶ μόναις 

### English translation (Claude)

“But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: it is good for them if they remain as I am.” He showed himself again to be of the company of the unmarried. For one could not reasonably [count] him among those who are widowed, since he was still a young man when he was deemed worthy of the calling. Let no one think that he [prescribes] celibacy for men and continence after marriage for women only …

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:8: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The comment breaks off in the scan's OCR (marked “…”); leaked Latin and footnote references were removed by a logged correction. Theodoret holds that Paul had never married. Quotation: 1 Cor 7:8.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.8 (PG 82:275; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-8).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-9
- Source: PG 82:277
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret explains that the unmarried and the widowed may marry if they cannot master desire, “burning” meaning the soul's enslavement to it.

### Greek text

« Εἰ δὲ οὐχ ἐγχρατεύονται, γαμησάτωσαν" χρεΐτσον γὰρ αὐτοῖς ἐστι γαμῆσαι, ἣ πυροῦσθαι. » Πύρωτιν οὐ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας χαλεῖ τὴν ἐνόχλησιν, ἀλλὰ τὴν δούλωσιν τῆς ψυχῆς, καὶ τὴν πρὸς τὸ χεῖρον ῥοπὴν. Ὃ δὲ λέγει τοιοῦτόν ἔστιν “ "μεῖνον μὲν καὶ ὑμᾶ; τοὺς μηδέπω γαμιχῆς ὁμιλίας μεταλαχόντας, καὶ ὑμᾶς τοὺς συναςθέντας μὲν, εἶτα δὲ τῷ θανάτῳ διαζευχθέντας, τὴν ἐγχράτειαν προελέσθαι. Εἰ δὲ φέρειν οὐ δύνασθε τῆς ἐπιθυμίας τὴν προσθολῆν, ἀλλ᾽ ἀσθενῶς τῇ ψυχῇ περὶ τὸν ἀγῶνα τοῦτον διάκεισθε, διὰ τὸ μὴ θερμὴν ἔχειν περὶ τὰ καλὰ προθυμίαν, οὐδεὶς ὑμᾶς ἀπείργει τοῦ γάμου νόμος. Ἐντεῦθεν εἰς

### English translation (Claude)

“But if they are not self-controlled, let them marry; for it is better for them to marry than to burn.” By “burning” he means not the harassment of desire, but the enslavement of the soul and its inclination to the worse. What he says is this: It is better that you who have not yet shared in marital intercourse, and you who were joined but then separated by death, should choose continence. But if you cannot bear the assault of desire, but are weakly disposed in soul toward this contest, through not having a warm eagerness for good things, no law keeps you from marriage. From here [he passes] to …

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:9: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Theodoret applies 1 Cor 7:9 both to the never-married and to widows and widowers, so that it permits a second marriage after a spouse's death. The comment breaks off at the column end (marked “…”). Quotation: 1 Cor 7:9.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.9 (PG 82:277; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-9).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-10
- Source: PG 82:277
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret ties 1 Cor 7:10–11 to the Lord's saying on putting away a wife, and explains that by forbidding a separated wife to marry another, Paul keeps the way open for her return to her first marriage.

### Greek text

ι, ια΄, ε Τοῖς δὲ γεγαμηχόσι παραγγέλλω, οὐχ ἐγὼ, ἀλλ᾽ ὁ Κύριος, γυναῖχα ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς μὴ χωρισθῆναι. Ἐὰν δὲ καὶ χωρισθῇ, μενέτω ἄγαμος, ἣ τῷ ἀνδρὶ καταλλαγήτω. Καὶ ἄνδρα γυναῖκα μὴ ἀφιέναι.» Τῆς Εὐαγγελιχῆς νομοθεσίας ἀνέμνησεν. Ὃ γὰρ Κύριὸς ἐν τοῖς ἱεροῖς Εὐαγγελίοις ἔφη “ «ε Πᾶς ὁ ἀπολύων τὴν γυναῖχα αὑτοῦ παρεχτὸς λόγου πορνείας, ποιεῖ αὐτὴν μοιχευθῆναι. » Διὰ τοῦτο προστέθειχεν, οὐχ ἐγὼ, ἀ.1.1 ὁ Κύριος. Τὸ δὲ, μεγέτω ἄγαμος ἣ τῷ ἀνδρὶ κατα.11αγήτω, οὐχ ἔστιν ἑναντίον τῷ μὴ ἀποστερεῖτε ἀλλήλους, εἰ μή τι ἂν ἐκ Ἑχεῖνα γὰρ τοῖς μὴ δι᾽ ἄλλην πρόφασιν χωριξομένοις, ἀλλὰ διὰ μόνην ἐγχράτειαν, εἴρηται " ἐνταῦθα δὲ τοῖς περὶ ἑτέρων πραγμάτων ζυγομαχοῦσι νομοθετεῖ. Καὶ πειρᾶται μὲν ἀῤῥαγῆ φυλάξαι τοῦ γάμου τὴν ζεύγλην - συγχατιὼν δὲ τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ, τῷ χωριζομένῳ νομοθετεῖ τὴν ἐγχράτειαν, καὶ ταύτῃ χωλύων τὴν τοῦ γάμου διαίρεσιν. ᾿Απείργων γὰρ ἑτέρῳ συνάπτεσθαι, πρὸς τὸν πρότερον γάμον ἐπανελθεῖν

### English translation (Claude)

“To the married I command, not I but the Lord: a wife is not to be separated from her husband; but if she is in fact separated, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband; and a husband is not to send away his wife.” He recalled the legislation of the Gospel. For the Lord said in the holy Gospels: “Everyone who puts away his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery.” That is why he added, “not I but the Lord.” And “let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband” is not contrary to “Do not deprive one another, except by [agreement].” For those words were said to those who separate for no other pretext than continence alone; but here he legislates for those who are at odds over other matters. He tries to keep the yoke of marriage unbroken; but condescending to weakness, he legislates continence for the one who separates, and by this too he prevents the division of the marriage. For by forbidding her to be joined to another, [he presses her] to return to the first marriage …

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:10–11: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 5:32: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Cor 7:5: quotation, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Key terms: χωρισθῆναι “be separated”, ἀφιέναι “send away”, ἀπολύων “puts away”. Theodoret distinguishes separation over quarrels (1 Cor 7:10–11) from abstinence for continence (7:5). The comment breaks off at the column end (marked “…”). Quotations: 1 Cor 7:10–11; Matt 5:32; allusion: 1 Cor 7:5.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.10 (PG 82:277; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-10).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.12

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-12
- Source: PG 82:277
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret explains that Paul's “I, not the Lord” means that the rule is not written in the Gospels, though Paul's laws are Christ's laws.

### Greek text

ιϑ'. « Τοῖς δὲ λοιποῖς ἐγὼ λέγω, οὐχ ὁ Κύριος. » Τὸ, ἐγὼ «έγω, ἀντὶ τοῦ - Οὐχ εὗρον τοῦτον τὸν νόμον τοῖς ἱεροῖς Εὐαγγελίοις ἐγγεγραμμένον, ἀλλὰ νῦν αὐτὸν τίθημι, Ὅτι δὲ οἱ τοῦ ᾿Αποστόλου νόμοι τοῦ Δεσπότου Χριστοῦ νόμοι, δῆλόν ἐστι τοῖς τὰ θεῖα πεπαιδευμένοις, Αὐτοῦ γάρ ἐστι φωνή “ ε Ἐπεὶ δοχιμὴν ζητεῖτε τοῦ ἐν ἐμοὶ λαλοῦντος Χριστοῦ; » Καί" ) Καί: «Λέγω διὰ τῆς χάριτος τῆς δοθείσης μοι. » Οὕτω χἀνταῦθα νομοθετεῖ τοῦ παναγίου Πνεύματος δι᾽ αὐτοῦ φθεγ-

### English translation (Claude)

“To the rest I say, not the Lord.” “I say” means: I did not find this law written in the holy Gospels, but I lay it down now. But that the Apostle's laws are the laws of Christ the Master is clear to those instructed in divine things. For his is the voice: “Since you seek proof of Christ who speaks in me”; and, “I say through the grace given to me.” So here too he legislates, the all-holy Spirit speaking through him …

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:12: quotation, high confidence
- 2 Cor 13:3: quotation, high confidence
- Rom 12:3: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The comment breaks off at the column end (marked “…”). Quotations: 1 Cor 7:12; 2 Cor 13:3; Rom 12:3.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.12 (PG 82:277; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-12).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.13

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-13
- Source: PG 82:277
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret explains that 1 Cor 7:12–14 concerns marriages made before conversion, not believers marrying unbelievers, and urges the believing spouse to stay and work for the other's salvation.

### Greek text

« Εἴ τις ἀδελφὸς γυναῖκα ἔχει ἄπιστον, καὶ αὐτὴ συνευδοκεῖ οἰκεῖν μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ, μὴ ἀφιέτω αὐτήν. (ιγ΄, ιδ΄.) Καὶ γυνὴ ἥτις δ" ἔχει ἄνδρα ἄπιστον, καὶ αὐτὸς συνευδοχεῖ οἰχεῖν μετ᾽ αὐτῆς, μὴ ἀφιέτω αὑτόν. Ἡγίασται γὰρ ὁ ἀνὴρ ὁ ἄπιστος ἐν τῇ γυχαικὶν καὶ ἡγίασται ἡ γυνὴ ἡ ἄπιστος ἐν τῷ ἀνδρί. Ἐπεὶ ἄρα τὰ τέκνα ὑμῶν ἀχάθαρτά ἐστιν᾽ νῦν δὲ ἅγιά ἔστιν.» Οὐχ ἄπιστον γυναῖχα νομοθετεῖ λαμδάνειν, οὐδὲ ἀπίστῳ ἀνδρὶ πιστὴν γυναῖκα χελεύει συνάπτεσθαι " πᾶν γὰρ τοὺναντίον διαγορεύει. Ἀϊετὰ βραχέα γὰρ ταῖς χήραις νομοθετῶν ἐπήγαγε, μόνον ἐν Κυρίῳ, τουτέστι πιστῷ, εὐσεδεῖ, σωφρόνως, χοσμίως. Ἐνταῦθα δὲ περὶ τῶν πρὸ τοῦ χηρύγματος συναφθέντων ἔφη. Συνἐόαινε γὰρ τὸν μὲν ἄνδρα πιστεῦσαι, τὴν δὲ γυναῖχα «ἢ ἀπιστίᾳ προσμεῖναι, καὶ αὖ πάλιν, τὴν μὲν γυναῖχα τὸ χήρυγμα δέξασθα:, τὸν δὲ ἄνδρα τῆς ἀπιστίας περιχεῖσθαι τὴν λύμην. Καὶ παρεγγυᾷ τοῖς ὑγιαίνουσι φέρειν τὴν τῶν ὁμοξζύγων ἀσθένειαν, καὶ τὴν τούτων πραγματεύεσθαι σωτηρίαν. Τοῦτο γὰρ λέγει - Ἤγίασται γὰρ ὁ ἀνὴρ ὁ ἄπιστος ἐν τῇ γυναι» κὶ, καὶ ἡγίασται ἡ, γυνὴ ἡ ἄπιστος ἐν τῷ ἀνδρὶ, » τουτέστιν, ἔχει σωτηρίας ἐλπίδα. Εἰ δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς ἢ αὐτὴ ἐπιμένοι τῇ νόσῳ, τὸ ἐχείνου σπέρμα μεθέξει τῆς σωτηρίας. Ὑπερδολιχώτερον δὲ ταῦτα τέθειχε, πείθων μὴ χαταλιπεῖν τὴν συνάφειαν..

### English translation (Claude)

“If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she consents to live with him, let him not send her away. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, let her not send him away. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean; but as it is they are holy.” He does not legislate taking an unbelieving wife, nor bid a believing wife be joined to an unbelieving husband; he says entirely the opposite. For a little later, legislating for widows, he added, “only in the Lord,” that is, to a believer, a pious man, chastely, decently. Here he spoke about those joined before the preaching. For it happened that the husband believed while the wife remained in unbelief, and again that the wife received the preaching while the husband was wrapped in the ruin of unbelief. He exhorts the healthy to bear the weakness of their spouses and to work for their salvation. For this is what he says: “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband,” that is, has hope of salvation. And even if he or she should persist in the disease, the seed will share in salvation. He set this down somewhat hyperbolically, persuading them not to abandon the union.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:12–14: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Cor 7:39: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- A leaked footnote (a Greek scholion on 1 Cor 7:8, with Latin references) was removed by a logged correction. Quotations: 1 Cor 7:12–14; 1 Cor 7:39.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.13 (PG 82:277; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-13).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.15

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-15
- Source: PG 82:277
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret explains that when an unbelieving spouse departs, the believer is guiltless if he gave no cause, and that the Gospel brings true peace even when it first divides.

### Greek text

«ε΄, «Εἰ. δὲ ὁ ἄπιστος χωρίζετα:, χωριζέσθω - οὐ δεδούλωται ὁ ἀδελφὸς ἣ ἡ ἀδελφὴ ἐν τοῖς τοιούτοις. » Τὸ πιστεῦον, φησὶ, μέρος μὴ διδότω πρόφασιν τῷ χωρισμῷ. Εἰ δὲ τὸ νοσοῦν ἀποστῆναι βούλεται, ἀθῶος εἴ οὺ, καὶ τῆς κατηγορίας ἐλεύθερος. ε Ἐν δὲ εἰρήνῃ χέχληχεν ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεός. » Καὶ μὴν ὁ Κύριος ἔφη " « Οὐκ ἦλθον βαλεῖν εἰρήνην ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, ἀλλὰ μάχαιραν, διχᾶσαι ἄνθρωπον ἀπὸ τοῦ πλησίον αὐτοῦ. » ᾿Αλλ᾽ οὐκ ἐναντίον τοῦτο ἐχείνῳ. Ἑρμηνεύει δὲ ὁ ᾿Απόστολος τὴν τοῦ Κυρίου διδασκαλίαν. Τὸ σωτήριον γὰρ, φησὶ, χήρυγμα οὐ σύγχυσιν εἰς τὸν βίον εἰσάγει, ἀλλὰ μᾶλλον πραγματεύεται. τὴν ἀληθῆ καὶ θεοφιλῇ εἰρήνην. Διαιρεῖ μέντοι πρότερον τὴν χαλὴν συμφωνίαν, καὶ διαφωνίᾳ τὴν ἐπαινουμένην ὁμόνοιαν πραγματεύεται. Οἱ γὰρ. τὸ θεῖον δεξάμενοι χήρυγμα, διδάσχαλοι. τῶν ἀπίστων γινόμενοι, εἰργάζοντο παρασας οἰχίας ἐποδήγουν εἰς τὴν ἀξιέραστον συμφωνίαν. Τοῦτο καὶ ἐνταῦθά φησι" ις’, ιζ΄, ε Τί γὰρ οἶδα;, γύναι, εἰ τὸν ἄνδρα σώσεις; ἣ τί οἶδας, ἄνερ, εἰ τὴν γυναῖχα σώσεις; Εἰ μὴ ἐχάστῳ ὡς ἐμέρισεν ὁ Θεός. » ᾿Ανάδεξαι, φησὶν, ἐπὶ χρησταῖς ἐλπίσι τὸν πόνον ἔχεις τὸν Θεὸν τῆς 

### English translation (Claude)

“But if the unbeliever separates, let him separate; the brother or the sister is not enslaved in such cases.” Let the believing party, he says, give no pretext for the separation. But if the sick one wishes to depart, you are guiltless and free of the accusation. “But God has called us in peace.” And yet the Lord said, “I did not come to bring peace on earth, but a sword, to divide a man from his neighbour.” But this is not contrary to that; the Apostle is interpreting the Lord's teaching. For the saving preaching, he says, does not bring confusion into life, but rather works true and God-loving peace. It does first divide the [bad] harmony, and by discord works the concord that is praised. For those who received the divine preaching, becoming teachers of the unbelievers, worked … and led whole houses to the lovely harmony. This he says here too: “For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? Only, as God has apportioned to each.” Take up the labour, he says, with good hopes; you have God as helper of your

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:15–17: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 10:34–35: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Theodoret says only that the believer who is deserted is “guiltless and free of the accusation”; he does not say here whether the believer may marry again. The scan reads “the good (καλήν) harmony”, which contradicts the sense; probably “bad” (κακήν) is meant, and is so translated. Leaked Latin at the end was removed by a logged correction; a few words are lost (marked “…”). Quotations: 1 Cor 7:15–17; Matt 10:34–35.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.15 (PG 82:277; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-15).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.17

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-17
- Source: PG 82:277
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret notes that Paul's rule to remain as called confirms that he addressed marriages made before conversion.

### Greek text

προθυμίας ἐπίχουρον. « Ἕχαστον ὡς χέχληχεν ὁ Κύριος, οὕτω περιπατείτω " καὶ οὕτως ἐν ταῖς Ἐχχλησίαις πάσαις διατάσσομαι. » Ἑδίδαξεν ἐνταῦθα. σαφῶς, ὡς οὐχ ἀπίστοις ἀνδράσιν ἣ γυναιξὶ συνάπτεσθαι παρηγγύησεν, ἀλλὰ τοῖς οὕτω χληθεῖσιν ἐκεῖνα νεν»μοθέτηχεν. Εἶτα. συνήθως ἀπὸ τοῦ. προχειμένον οὐ ἕτερα μεταδαίνει, πᾶσι νομοθετῶν τὰ χατάλληλα. -

### English translation (Claude)

eagerness. “As the Lord has called each, so let him walk; and so I direct in all the churches.” He taught clearly here that he did not exhort [believers] to be joined to unbelieving husbands or wives, but legislated those things for those called in that state. Then, as usual, he passes from the matter at hand to others, legislating what is fitting for all.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:17: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Leaked Latin was removed by a logged correction. Quotation: 1 Cor 7:17.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.17 (PG 82:277; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-17).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.18

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-18
- Source: PG 82:277
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret explains that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision should be changed, since what matters is keeping God's commandments.

### Greek text

ιθ΄. « Περιτετμημένος τις ἐχλήθη; μὴ ἐπισθω. ἯἩ περιτομὴ οὐδέν ἔστι, καὶ ἡ ἀκχροδυστία οὐδέν ἐστιν, ἀλλὰ τήρησις ἐντολῶν Θεοῦ. » Μήτε ἀχρόδυστός τις κληθεὶς δεχέσθω περιτομὴν, μήτε ὁ περιτετμημένος πειράσθω ἑαυτὸν ἀπερίτμητον δειπεριτομὴ κατὰ τὸν παλαιὸν γεγένηται νόμον. Ἐπαινεῖται δὲ οὐ τὸ πρᾶγμα, ἀλλ᾽ ἣ τῆς θείας ἐν-

### English translation (Claude)

“Was anyone called circumcised? Let him not undo it. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God.” Let neither one called uncircumcised receive circumcision, nor the circumcised man try to make himself [appear] uncircumcised … circumcision took place according to the old law. What is praised is not the thing itself, but the [keeping] of the divine commandment …

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:18–19: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Leaked Latin and footnote references were removed by a logged correction; lines are lost (marked “…”). Quotations: 1 Cor 7:18–19.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.18 (PG 82:277; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-18).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.20

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-20
- Source: PG 82:279
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret reads 1 Cor 7:21 as advice to remain a slave even if freedom is possible, so that piety is not made a pretext for flight.

### Greek text

ε« ἝἜχαστος ἐν τῇ χλήσει, ἧ ἐχλέθη, ἐν ταύτη μενέτω. ν» Εἶτα καὶ εἰς ἕτερα μεταδαίνε:. χα', ε Δοῦλος ἐχλήθης; μή σοι μελέτω " ἀλλ΄ εἰ καὶ δύνασαι ἐλεύθερος γενέσθαι, μᾶλλον χρῆσαι. » Οὐκ εἶδεν ἡ χάρις δουλείας καὶ δεσποτείας διαφοράν. τοίνυν φύγῃς ὡς ἀναξίαν τῆς πίστεως τὴν δουλείαν " ἀλλὰ χἂν τυχεῖν τῆς ἐλευθερίας ἦ δυνατὸν, ἐπίμεινον δουλεύων, καὶ πρόσμεινον τὴν ἀντίδοσιν. Ταύτην δὲ πὴν ὑπερδολὴν οὐχ ἁπλῶς τέθειχεν, ἀλλὰ πείθων μὴ φυγεῖν τὴν δουλείαν προφάσει θευσε:ξείας, Προσφέρει Β δὲ καὶ ἑτέραν παραψυχὴν.,

### English translation (Claude)

“Let each remain in the calling in which he was called.” Then he passes to other things too. “Were you called as a slave? Do not let it trouble you; but even if you can become free, use it rather.” Grace does not know the difference between slavery and mastery. [Do not], then, flee slavery as unworthy of the faith; but even if it is possible to obtain freedom, remain serving, and await the recompense. He set down this hyperbole not without reason, but to persuade them not to flee slavery on the pretext of piety. And he offers another consolation too.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:20–21: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Like Chrysostom, Theodoret takes “use it rather” to mean “rather remain a slave”. Quotations: 1 Cor 7:20–21.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.20 (PG 82:279; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-20).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.22

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-22
- Source: PG 82:279
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret explains Paul's paradox of the free man as Christ's slave and the slave as the Lord's freedman.

### Greek text

« Ὁ γὰρ ἐν Κυρίῳ χληθεὶς δοῦλος, ἀπελεύθερος Κυρίου ἐστίν" ὁμοίως ὁ ἐλεύθερης χληθεὶς, δοῦλός ἐστι Χριστοῦ.» ᾿Απελεύθερον καλεῖν εἰώθαμεν τὸν ἐχ δούλων γεγενημένον. Τούτῳ τῷ ὀνόματι τὸν τῆς πίστεως ἠξιωμένον προσηγόρευσε δοῦ, ἴον. αἱ τὸν μὲν ἐλεύθερον δοῦλον ἔφη Χριστοῦ, τὸν δὲ δοῦλον ἀπελεύθερον" καὶ τοὺς ἐλευθέρους διδάσχων, ὡς Δεσπότην ἔχουσι τὸν Χριστὸν, καὶ τοὺς δούλους ὡσαύτως, ὅτι τῆς ἀληθοῦς ἐλευθερίας ἀπέλαυσαν. Τίς γὰρ οὕτως ἐλεύθερος, ὡς ὁ τῆς ἁμαρτίας ἀπηλλαγμένος; Τίς δὲ πικρὰν οὕτω δουλεύε! δουλείαν, ὡς ὁ τῇ δουλείᾳ τῶν παθῶν ὑποχείμενος;

### English translation (Claude)

“For the one called in the Lord as a slave is the Lord's freedman; likewise the one called as free is a slave of Christ.” We are wont to call a freedman one who was formerly a slave. By this name he called the one deemed worthy of the faith …; and he called the free man Christ's slave and the slave a freedman, teaching the free that they have Christ as Master, and the slaves likewise that they have enjoyed true freedom. For who is so free as one released from sin? And who serves so bitter a slavery as one subject to the slavery of the passions?

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:22: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- A word or two is garbled in the scan (marked “…”). Quotation: 1 Cor 7:22.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.22 (PG 82:279; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-22).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.23

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-23
- Source: PG 82:279
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret explains that “bought with a price” makes slaves and masters fellow slaves, and that Paul forbids a servile mind, not servitude.

### Greek text

« Τιμῆς ἡγοράσθητε, μὴ γίνεσῦς δοῦλοι ἂν- ( θρώπων. ν Οὐχ ἐναντία τοῖς εἰρημένοις νενομοθέτηχε. 'Κελεύει δὲ μὴ δουλοπρεπὲς ἔχειν φρόνημα, μήτε τὸν δοῦλον χαλούμενον, μήτε τὸν ἐλεύθερον προταγορευόμενον. Σοφῶς δὲ ἄγαν καὶ τοὺς δούλους χαὺ τοὺς δεσπότας ὁμοδούλους ἀπέφηνε, τιμῆς ἠγοράσθητε, τούτοις χἀχείνοις εἰπών. Τὸ γὰρ οἰχεῖον αἷμα δοὺς ὁ Δεσπότης ὑμᾶς ἐπρίαπο.. ὃ χδ΄, ε Ἔχαστος ἐν ᾧ ἐχλήθη, ἐν τουτῳ μενέτω παρὰ θεῷ, » Τοῦτο καὶ προοίμιον καὶ ἐπίλογον τῆς καραινέσεως τέθειχεν. Ἐφ᾽ ἑτέραν δὲ πάλιν μετα-

### English translation (Claude)

“You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.” He has not legislated things contrary to what was said. He bids neither the one called a slave nor the one addressed as free have a servile mind. Very wisely he declared both slaves and masters fellow slaves, saying to both, “You were bought with a price.” For the Master bought you by giving his own blood. “Let each remain before God in that in which he was called.” He has set this as both the opening and the conclusion of the exhortation. And he passes again to another [subject].

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:23–24: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Pet 1:18–19: allusion, low confidence

### Translation notes

- Quotations: 1 Cor 7:23–24; allusion: 1 Pet 1:18–19.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.23 (PG 82:279; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-23).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.25

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-25
- Source: PG 82:279
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret explains that Paul has no command on virginity because Christ left it to those able to receive it, so Paul gives counsel, not law.

### Greek text

« Περὶ δὲ τῶν παρθένων "' ἐπιταγὴν Κυρίου οὐχ ἔχω. » Ὁ Κύριος γὰρ, τῶν ἀποστόλων εἰρηχότῶν " « Εἰ οὕτως ἐστὶν ὁ νόμος τῆς γυναιχὸς, συμφέρει μὴ γῆμαι,» ἀπεχρίνατο " « Οὐ πάντες χωροῦσι Ὁ τὸν λόγον τοῦτον" » καὶ πάλιν" « Ὃ δυνάμενος χωρεῖν χωρείτω. ν Διά τοι τοῦτο καὶ ὁ θεῖος ᾿Απόστολος ἔφη" Ἐπιταγὴν Κυρίου οὖκ ἔχω. Ἐὶ τοίνυν οὐκ ἐδέξω νόμον, τί σοι βούλεται ὁ λόγος; « Γνώμην δὲ δίδωμι. ν Οὐ νόμον εἰσφέρω, ἀλλὰ συμδουλὴν προσφέρω. Καὶ γὰρ ὁ Θεὸς τὰ χατὰ φύσιν νομοθετήσας, ἐπὶ τὰ ὑπὲρ φύσιν προτρέπει. Ἐπειδὴ δὲ εἰκὸς ἂν πινας ἀντιλέγειν ὡς χαινοτομίᾳ τῇ συμδουλῇ, προστέθεικεν" « Ὡς ἠλεημένος ὑπὸ" Κυρίου πιστὸς εἶναι. » Μετὰ τῇ; συνήθους μετριότητος; τὴν ἀποστολιχὴν δόξαν ὑπέδειξεν. ᾿Αξιόχρεώς εἰμι σύμβουλος, φησὶ, ἑὰ μὲν τὸν πολὺν τοῦ Δεσπότου χληθεὶς ἔλεον, πισ:ευθεὶς δὲ τὸ χήρυγμα. Τί δὲ συμδυυλεύεις;

### English translation (Claude)

“Now concerning virgins I have no command of the Lord.” For the Lord, when the apostles had said, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry,” answered: “Not all can receive this word”; and again, “Let the one who is able to receive it receive it.” That is why the divine Apostle too said, “I have no command of the Lord.” If, then, you did not receive a law, what does your word mean? “But I give my judgment.” I do not bring in a law, but offer counsel. For God, having legislated what is according to nature, exhorts to what is above nature. And since it was likely that some would object to the counsel as an innovation, he added, “as one who has received mercy from the Lord to be faithful.” With his usual moderation he showed his apostolic dignity. I am a worthy counsellor, he says, having been called by the great mercy of the Master and entrusted with the preaching. And what do you counsel?

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:25: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 19:10–12: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Leaked Latin and footnotes were removed by a logged correction. Quotations: 1 Cor 7:25; Matt 19:10–12.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.25 (PG 82:279; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-25).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.26

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-26
- Source: PG 82:279
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret explains that Paul speaks tentatively (“I think”) so that his counsel of virginity does not become a law with penalties.

### Greek text

χῷ. « Νομίζω οὖν τοῦτο καλὸν ὑπάρχειν ἀν θρώταν, διὰ τὰν ἐνεστῶσαν ἀνάγχην τὸ οὕτως εἶναι. Δέδεσαι γυναιχί; μὴ ζήτει λύσιν. Λέλυσαι ἀπὸ γυναιοὐχ ἀμς:δάλλων ὡς ἡ παρθενία χαλὸν, καὶ τῶν καλῶν τὸ χάλλιστον - ἀλλ᾽ ἵνα μὴ νόμος ἧἡ παραίνεσις γένηται, τὴν ἀμφιδολίαν προστέθειχεν. Ἕπεται γὰρ τῷ νύμῳ καὶ φυλαχὴ, καὶ παράδασις, καὶ τῶν παραἐινόντων ἡ χόλασι;. Διὰ τοῦτο οὐ νομοθετεῖ τὰ μεγάλα, ἀλλ᾽ ἐπὶ ταῦτα προτρέπει, καὶ εἰρηχὼς μὴ

### English translation (Claude)

“I think, then, that this is good because of the present necessity, that it is good for a person to be so. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek release. Are you loosed from a wife? …” … not doubting that virginity is good, and the most beautiful of beautiful things; but so that the exhortation should not become a law, he added the [expression of] doubt. For a law brings with it keeping, transgression, and the punishment of transgressors. That is why he does not legislate the great things, but exhorts to them; and having said not …

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:26–27: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Lines are lost in the scan's OCR (marked “…”), including the end of 1 Cor 7:27 and the start of the comment. Quotations: 1 Cor 7:26–27.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.26 (PG 82:279; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-26).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.28

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-28
- Source: PG 82:279
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret explains that marriage is not sin, though Paul spares his hearers its troubles, and that 1 Cor 7:28 concerns those who have not yet vowed virginity.

### Greek text

χη. ε« Ἐὰν ὃὲ καὶ γήμῃς, οὐχ ἥμαρτες " καὶ ἐὰν τήμη ἡ παρθένος, οὐχ ἥμαρτε. » Καὶ τί δήποτε συμ- (οὐλεύεις μὴ γῆμαι, εἴπερ ἄρα ὁ γάμος ἁμαρτίας ἐλεύθερος; ε Θλίψιν δὲ τῇ σαρχὶ ἕξηυτσιν οἱ τοιοῦτοι. » Καὶ τί σοι τούτου μέλει; ε Ἐγὼ δὲ ὑμῶν φείδομαι. » Καὶ τὴν πατριχὴν φιλοστοργίαν ἐγύμνωσς, καὶ τῆς ἀγαμίας τὸ χρήσιμον ἔδειξεν. Εἰδέναι μέντοι χρὴ, ὡς οὗ περὶ τῶν ἅπαξ ἀποταξαμένων τῷ βίῳ εἴρηχεν " Ἐὰν» γήμῃς. οὐχ ἥμαρτες" καὶ ἐὰν γήμῃ ἡ παρθένος, οὐχ ἥμαρτεν" ἀλλὰ περὶ τῶν μηδέπω μήτε τοῦτο μῆτε ἐχεῖνο προελομένων, ἀλλ᾽ ἐν μεθορίῳ γάμο) καὶ ἀγαμίας ἑστώτων. Εἶτα καὶ ἑτέρωθεν χρα-

### English translation (Claude)

“But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if the virgin marries, she has not sinned.” And why do you counsel not to marry, if marriage is free of sin? “But such will have affliction in the flesh.” And what is this to you? “But I spare you.” He laid bare his fatherly affection and showed the usefulness of celibacy. One must know, however, that he did not say, “If you marry, you have not sinned; and if the virgin marries, she has not sinned,” about those who have once renounced [marriage] in life, but about those who have not yet chosen either this or that, but stand on the border between marriage and celibacy. Then from another side too he [strengthens] …

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:28: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Theodoret restricts “she has not sinned” to virgins who have not renounced marriage. The comment breaks off at the column end (marked “…”). Quotation: 1 Cor 7:28.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.28 (PG 82:279; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-28).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.29

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-29
- Source: PG 82:279
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret reads “the time has been shortened” as the nearness of the end of the present age.

### Greek text

χῦ΄. « Τοῦτο δέ φημι, ἀδελφοὶ, ὁ χαιρὸς συνεσταλ- Βένος τὸ λοιπόν ἐστιν. » Πρὸς τέλος ὁ βίος ἐλαύνει " ἐγχὺς ἣ συντέλεια τοῦ παρόντος αἰῶνος. «Ἵν2 καὶ οἱ ἔχοντες γυναῖχας, ὡς μὴ ἔχοντες

### English translation (Claude)

“This I say, brothers: the time has been shortened from now on.” Life is driving to its end; the consummation of the present age is near. “So that those who have wives may be as though they had none,

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:29: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The comment continues in 7.30. Quotation: 1 Cor 7:29.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.29 (PG 82:279; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-29).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.30

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-30
- Source: PG 82:279
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret applies 1 Cor 7:29–31 to the use of wealth, citing Ezekiel's rams and Isaiah's levelling of ranks in the age to come.

### Greek text

ὦὧτι. »»Ἱ', λα.) « Καὶ οἱ χλαίοντες, ὡς μὴ χλαίοντες " καὶ οἱ χαΐροντες, ὡς μὴ καίροντες " καὶ οἱ ἀγοράξοντες, ὡς μὴ χατέχοντες " καὶ οἱ χρώμενοι τῷ χόσμῳ πούτῳ, ὡς μὴ παραχρώμενοι. » ᾿Αλλότρια, φησὶν, μῶν τὰ παρόντα " μεταθαίνομεν γὰρ ἐντεῦθεν ὡς πάχιστα. Μηδεὶς τοίνυν μέτε πενίαν ὀδυρέσθω, μὲτε ἐξὶ πλούτῳ μέγα φρονείτω, μήτε μὴν οἱ πλεῖστα χεχττ μένοι εἰς τρυφὴν ταῦτα καὶ ἀτωτίαν τωτανς ἀλλὰ μόνην ἐξ αὐτῶν τὴν χρείαν χαρπούσθωσαν. Τοῦτο γὰρ λέγει, Καὶ οἱ χρώμενοι τῷ χόσμῳ τούτῳ, ὡς μὴ παραχρώμεγοι. Τοῦτο καὶ διὰ τοῦ Ἰεζεχιὴλ τῶν χριῶν χατηγόρησεν ὁ Θεὸς, ὅτι τὴν χαλὴν νομὴν ἐνέμοντο, καὶ τὰ λοιπὰ τοῖς τυσὶ συνεπάτουν - καὶ τὸ καθαρὸν ὕδωρ ἔπινον, καὶ κὸ λοιπὸν τοῖς ποτὶ διετάραττον. Τούτοις συμφωνεῖ τὸ, Οἱ χρώμενοι τῷ κόσμῳ, ὡς μὴ παραχρώμεγοι. Εἴτὰ ξειχνὺς τῶν παρόντων τὸ πρόσχαιρον; ἐπήγαγε" « Πηυράγει γὰρ τὸ σχῆμα τοῦ χόσμου τούτου, » Οὐχέτε γὰρ γεωργία καὶ ναυτιλία, οὐχέτι βασιλεῖλε καὶ στοατη (τι, οὐχέτι δουλεία καὶ δεσποτεία, οὐχέτι τέχναι καὶ ἐ πιστῆκαι, οὐχέτι πενία καὶ πλοῦτος. τὰ τούτο καὶ τῶν τοιούτων ὁ παρὼν βίος συνέστηκε. Τοῦτο καὶ ὃ μαχάριος Ἡσαῖας τησὶ πρηθ:σπίξων τὰ μέλλοντα - « Καὶ ἔσται ὁ δοῦλος ὡς ὁ χύριος αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἣ θεράπαινα ὡς; ἡ χυρία, καὶ ὁ ἀγοράζων ὡς ὁ πωλῶν, καὶ ὁ ὀφείλων ὡς μὴ ὀφείλων.» ἴλλλην γὰρ ὁ μέλλων βίος ἔχει πραγμάτων διαφοράν. Ὃ μέντοι θεῖος ᾿Απόστολος δείξας τοῦ βίου. τὸ πρόσχαιρον, ἐπήγαγε "

### English translation (Claude)

and those who weep as though they did not weep, and those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, and those who buy as though they did not possess, and those who use this world as though not misusing it.” Present things, he says, are not our own; for we pass from here very quickly. Let no one, then, lament poverty, nor be proud of wealth, nor let those who have acquired very much spend it on luxury and prodigality; let them reap from it only what is needed. For this is what he says: “and those who use this world as though not misusing it.” This too God charged against the rams through Ezekiel, that they grazed the good pasture and trampled the rest with their feet, and drank the clean water and fouled the rest with their feet. With this agrees “those who use the world as though not misusing it.” Then, showing that present things are temporary, he added: “For the form of this world is passing away.” For [there will be] no longer farming and seafaring, no longer kingship and generalship, no longer slavery and mastery, no longer arts and sciences, no longer poverty and wealth; of these and such things the present life is made up. This too blessed Isaiah foretold of the future: “And the slave will be as his master, and the maidservant as her mistress, and the buyer as the seller, and the debtor as one who does not owe.” For the life to come has another difference of things. The divine Apostle, however, having shown the temporariness of life, added:

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:30–31: quotation, high confidence
- Ezek 34:18–19: allusion, high confidence
- Isa 24:2: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Leaked Latin was removed by a logged correction. Quotations: 1 Cor 7:30–31; Ezek 34:18–19; Isa 24:2 (LXX).

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.30 (PG 82:279; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-30).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.32

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-32
- Source: PG 82:281
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret explains that virginity frees the soul from the cares of married life for undistracted service of God, referring to his own discourses on virginity.

### Greek text

ε« Θέλω δὲ ὑμᾶς ἀμερίμνους εἶναι. » Σαφῶ; ἔδειξε τὸν τῆς παρθενίας σχοπόν. Τῶν γὰρ περιττῶν καὶ ἀνοήτων φροντίδων ἐλευθέραν ὁ παρθενεύων ἔχει ψυχὴν, καὶ τὸν μέλλοντα μιμεῖται βίον ὡς ἔνεστι, Τοῦτο γὰρ διὰ τῶν ἑξῆς φητῶ. « Ὁ ἄγαμος μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ Κυρίου, πῶς ἀρέσει τῷ Κυρίῳ - (λγ΄, λδ΄.) ὁ δὲ γαμέσας μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ χόσμον, πῶς ἀρέσει τῇ γυναιχί. ΔΙεμέριτται καὶ δ ἡ γυνή " καὶ ἡ παρθένος ἢ ἄγαμος: μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ Κυρίου, ἵνα ἢ ἁγία καὶ σώματι καὶ πνεύματι" ἡ δὲ χαμήσασα μεριμνᾷ τὰ τοῦ χόσμου, πῶς ἀρέσει τῷ ἀνδρί. ν» Συντόμως μὲν τῆς φροντίδος τὸ διάφορον ἔδειξε, τοῦ τε τοῦ γάμου τὸν ζυγὸν αἱρουμένον, καὶ ποῦ τὴν ἀγαμίαν ἀσπαζομένου. Ῥάδιον δὲ τῷ βουλομένῳ χαταμαθεῖν τῶν ἐν τῷ βίῳ στρεφομένων τοὺς πόνους, καὶ τὰς φροντίδας. Ταύτας ὃξ καὶ ἡμεῖς πλατύτερον ἐπεδείξαμεν τοὺς Περὶ τῇς παρθενίας λόγους συγγράφοντες, καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν ταύτης πλοῦτον προτρέψαντες τοὺς τῶν ἀγαθῶν ἐραστάς. Ἐπιμένων δὲ τῇ συμθουλῇ ὁ θεῖος ᾿Απόστολος καὶ ταῦτα προστέθειχε " λε΄, « Τοῦτο δὲ πρὸς τὸ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν συμφέρον λέγω, οὐχ ἵνα βρόχον ὑμῖν ἐπιθάχω, ἀλλὰ πρὸς τὸ εὔσχημον καὶ εὐπάρεδρον 5 τῷ Κυρίῳ ἀπερισπάστως. » Οὐχ ἀνάγχῃ, φησὶν, ὑμᾶς ἐπὶ τοῦτων ἕλχω τὸν πλοῦτον, οἷόν τινι βρόχῳ χεχρημένες, καὶ βίᾳ θηρεύων " ἀλλὰ τὸ ἐντεῦθεν φυόμενον ὑποδείχνυμι χέρδος. Οὐδὲ γὰρ ἄλλως οἷόν τε τῇ θεραπείᾳ τοῦ Θεοῦ διηνεχῶς ἡμᾶς προσεδρεύειν, εἰ μὴ τὰ τοῦ βίου

### English translation (Claude)

“I want you to be free from anxieties.” He showed clearly the aim of virginity. For the one who keeps virginity has a soul free from superfluous and foolish cares, and imitates the life to come as far as possible. For he says this through what follows: “The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about the things of the world, how to please his wife. The wife and the virgin are divided too: the unmarried woman and the virgin are anxious about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about the things of the world, how to please her husband.” He showed briefly the difference of care between the one who chooses the yoke of marriage and the one who embraces celibacy. It is easy for anyone who wishes to learn the toils and cares of those occupied in life. We too set these out more broadly when we composed our discourses On Virginity, and exhorted lovers of good things to its wealth. Persisting in the counsel, the divine Apostle added this too: “I say this for your own benefit, not to lay a noose on you, but for what is seemly and for constant attendance on the Lord without distraction.” I do not drag you by necessity to this wealth, he says, using a noose as it were and hunting you by force; but I show the gain that grows from it. For it is not otherwise possible for us to attend continually on the service of God unless the things of life …

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:32–35: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Theodoret's discourses On Virginity are not extant. The comment breaks off at the column end (marked “…”). Quotations: 1 Cor 7:32–35.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.32 (PG 82:281; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-32).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.36

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-36
- Source: PG 82:281
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret reads 1 Cor 7:36–38 of a father and his virgin daughter, defends marriage against heretics, and explains that a widow may marry again “only in the Lord”, that is, a fellow believer.

### Greek text

ἃς’. « Εἰ δὲ δδ τις ἀσχημονεῖν ἐπὶ τὴν ἑαυτοῦ παρ. θένον νομίζει, ἐὰν ἢ ὑπέραχμος, καὶ οὕτως ὀφεβει γίνεσθαι, ὃ θέλει ποιείτω, οὐχ ἁμαρτάνει, γαμείτω» σαν. ν» Ὃ δὲ τὴν ἀγαμίαν ἀκοσμίαν ὑπολαμδάνων, καὶ τούτου χάριν συνάπτειν ἀνδρὶ τὴν θυγατέρα βου- Ὁ λόμενος, τὸ δοχοῦν πραττέτω " ἁμαρτίας γὰρ ὁ γάμος ἐλεύθερος. Πάλιν ἐνταῦθα περὶ τῶν μηδέπω τὴν παρθενίαν ἑλομένων παρεχελεύσατο. λζ', ε Ὃς δὲ ἔστηχεν ἐν τῇ χαρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ ἑδραῖος", μὴ ἔχων ἀνάγχην, ἐξουσίαν δὲ ἔχει περὶ τοῦ ἰδίου θελήματος, γαὶ τοῦτο χέχριχεν ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ τηρεῖν τὴν ἑαυτοῦ παρθένον, καλῶς ποιεῖ. » Τὸ μὴ ἔχων ἀνάγκην, ἀντὶ τοῦ, αὑτεξούσιος ὧν, οὐχ ὑποχείμενος δεσπότῃ. μὴ ἐγγαμίξων χρεῖσσον ποιεῖν » δειξε τὸ μὲν χαλὺν, τὸ δὲ χάλλιστον" καὶ τῶν τοῦ γάμου χατηγορούντων αἱρετιχῶν τὰς γλώσσας ἐπέδησεν. ᾿Αναγχαῖον δὲ γενόμιχε καὶ ταῖς χήραις συμδουλεῦσαι τὰ πρόσφορα. λθ’, « Γυνὴ δέδεται νόμῳ ἐφ᾽ ὅσον χρόνον ζῇ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὑτῆς " ἐὰν δὲ ὁ χοιμηθῇ ὁ ἀνὴρ, ἐλευθέρα ἐστὶν ᾧ θέλει γαμηθῆναι, μόνον ἐν Κυρίῳ. ν Τουτέστιν ὁμῖπίστῳ, εὑσεδεῖ, σωφρόνως, ἐννόμως.

### English translation (Claude)

“If anyone thinks that he is behaving unseemly toward his virgin, if she is past her prime, and it ought to be so, let him do what he wishes; he does not sin; let them marry.” One who regards celibacy as unseemly, and for this reason wishes to join his daughter to a husband, let him do what seems good; for marriage is free of sin. Here again he gave his exhortation about those who have not yet chosen virginity. “But he who stands firm in his heart, having no necessity, but has authority over his own will, and has judged this in his heart, to keep his virgin, does well.” “Having no necessity” means being his own master, not subject to a master. … “will do better.” He showed the one to be good and the other most excellent, and bound the tongues of the heretics who accuse marriage. And he thought it necessary to counsel widows too what is suitable: “A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband falls asleep, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord”; that is, to a fellow believer, a pious man, chastely, lawfully.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:36–38: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Cor 7:39: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- A leaked variant note was removed by a logged correction; the text of 1 Cor 7:38 is partly lost in the scan's OCR (marked “…”). Quotations: 1 Cor 7:36–39.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.36 (PG 82:281; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-36).

## On 1 Cor 7:7.40

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-40
- Source: PG 82:281
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-21

Summary: Theodoret notes that Paul calls the widow who remains unmarried “more blessed”, so that one who remarries is also blessed, against the Novatians who called a second marriage sexual immorality; he then introduces 1 Cor 8.

### Greek text

« Μαχαριωτέρα δέ ἐστιν ἐὰν οὕτω “' μείνῃ, χατὰ τὴν ἐμὴν γνώμην. » Πάλιν οὐ νόμον τέθεικεν, ἀλλὰ συμδουλὴν εἰσήνεγχεν, ᾿Αξιόπιστον δὲ ταύτην ποιῶν ἐπήγαγε "« Δοχῶ δὲ χἀγὼ πνεῦμα Θεοῦ ἔχειν.» Οὐχ ἐμοῦ, φησὶ, τὰ ῥήματα, ἀλλὰ τῆς τοῦ παναγίου Πνεύματος χάριτος " ὄργανον γὰρ ἐχείνης ἐγώ. Ἐπισημήνασθαι μέντοι χρὴ, ὡς οὐ χρὴ ἁπλῶς καλεῖν ἐχάλεσε, διδάσχων ὡς οὐδὲ ἡ δευτέροις ὁμιλοῦσα γάμοις ἀθλία, ἀλλὰ μαχαρία, χατὰ τὸν ἀποστολικὸν νόμον συναπτομένη. Ἢ γὰρ σύγχρισις χὰἀχείνην μαχαρίαν ἀπέφηνεν. Ἱχανὴ δὲ καὶ αὕτη τῶν Νοουάτου χατηγορία, οἵ τῆς διγαμίας ὡς πορνείας χατηγοροῦσιν, ἄντιχρυς τοῖς ἀποστολιχοῖς ἐναντιούμενοι νόμοις. Ταῦτα μετὰ τὴν προτέραν γράψας κατηγορίαν, καὶ τὴν ἁρμόττουσαν γάμου καὶ ἀγαμίας, καὶ μέντοι καὶ χηρείας καὶ παρθενίας εἰσενεγχὼν συμθουλὴν, πάλιν ἑτέρας ἅπτεται κατηγορίας, ἧς ἐν χεφαλαίῳ τὴν ὑπόθεσιν προειπεῖν ἀναγκαῖον. Τινὲς τῶν ἐν Κορίνθῳ ἴσως πεπιστευχότων, συνήθεις ἔχοντες καὶ γνωρίμους τινὰς ἐπὶ τῇ πλάνῃ κατεχομένους, συνησθίοντο τούτοις ἐν τοῖς τῶν εἰδώλων ναοῖς, οὐχ ὡς εἰδωλοθύτων δῆθεν τῶν παρατιθεμένων μεταλαμδάνοντες, ἀλλ᾽ ὡ; πεπεισμένοι πάντα εἶναι τοῦ Θεοῦ ποιήματα. ᾿Αλλὰ τοῖς οὐδέπω ταύτην ἐσχηκχόσι τὴν γνῶσιν ἄγαν ἐλωδᾶτο τὸ παρὰ τούτων γινόμενον τοὺς γὰρ ἐν αὐτοῖς διαπράττοντας ἀδεῶς τῶν εἰδωλοταὐτὸ τοῦτο ποιεῖν, καὶ μεῖξον ἐγίνετο τὸ πλημμέλημα, Οὐδὲ γὰρ κατὰ τὸν ἐκείνων σχοπὸν μετελάὅανον καὶ οὗτοι " ἀλλ᾽ ὡς εἰδωλόθυτα ἤσθιον, τὴν ἐχείνων γνῶσιν οὐχ ἔχοντες, Τοῦτο μαθὼν ὁ θεῖος ᾿Απόστολος, χατηγορεῖ τοῦ γινομένου, καὶ φάρμαχα προσφέρει τῷ πάθει παντοδαπά,

### English translation (Claude)

“But she is more blessed if she remains as she is, in my judgment.” Again he has not laid down a law, but brought in counsel; and making it trustworthy, he added: “And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.” The words are not mine, he says, but of the grace of the all-holy Spirit; for I am its instrument. One must note, however, that he did not call her simply [blessed, but “more blessed”] …, teaching that not even the woman who has to do with a second marriage is wretched, but blessed, being joined according to the apostolic law. For the comparison declared her too blessed. And this is a sufficient accusation of the followers of Novatus, who accuse digamy as sexual immorality, directly opposing the apostolic laws. Having written these things after the former accusation, and brought in the fitting counsel on marriage and celibacy, and also on widowhood and virginity, he touches again on another accusation, whose subject it is necessary to state first in summary. Some of those in Corinth who had perhaps believed, having acquaintances and friends held in error, ate with them in the temples of the idols, not partaking of what was set before them as offerings to idols, but as persuaded that all things are God's works. But for those who did not yet have this knowledge, what these did was very harmful; for seeing them doing this fearlessly … they [were led] to do the same thing, and the offence became greater. For these did not partake according to the aim of the former, but ate the food as offered to idols, not having their knowledge. Learning this, the divine Apostle accuses what was done and applies all kinds of remedies to the disease.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:40: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Cor 8:1–13: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Translated exactly: “not even the woman who has to do with a second marriage is wretched, but blessed”; “digamy” (διγαμία) here means a second marriage after a spouse's death. The scan's “οὐ χρὴ ἁπλῶς καλεῖν ἐκάλεσε” is garbled; the sense, from what follows, is that Paul did not call her simply blessed but “more blessed”, and the bracketed words are supplied by sense. “The followers of Novatus” (Νοουάτου) are the Novatians. A few words are lost before “they were led” (marked “…”). Quotations: 1 Cor 7:40; allusion: 1 Cor 8:1–13.

### Citation (SBL)

Theodoret, Interp. 1 Cor. 7.40 (PG 82:281; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/theodoret-interpretatio-1-corinthios/7-40).