Marriage is before us in this chapter, a guard against the evil of fornication.
For a man not to touch a woman may mean never to encourage companionship unless there is earnestness.
The institution of marriage, for man's comfort and happiness in this world, should never be violated. It was established for a man to have one wife and a wife to have one husband, and all of the privileges and responsibilities should be carried out cheerfully by both parties.
Paul was not married and desired that all might be like himself in that respect, but he allows that each has his own gift from God. If there is a necessity, they should marry.
The married wife should not depart from her husband. If she does, she should remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. The husband is not to put away his wife. If one is a believer and the other an unbeliever, they should remain together, but if one depart, the other is no longer bound to the mate. Bondage means to be married. We are called to peace.
The object is to seek the salvation and the blessing of the other one.
A servant (slave) should abide as such, and all are to abide in the calling in which they have been called. If a slave has liberty and is released, he should be thankful.
There is trouble in married life, perhaps more so than in a single life, since the unmarried seeks to please the Lord, the married to please the mate.
In view of the fact that the time is short, all here is passing, the world's fashion passes away, how good to constantly keep our heavenly portion before our souls.