1 Corinthians 7:37
Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
The verse concerns a family head's decision about a virgin under his charge, such as a daughter or ward, within the question of whether to give her in marriage. A man does well to keep his virgin unmarried if he stands steadfast and firmly resolved in his heart, has no necessity compelling him to do otherwise, and has power and control over his own will. The same standard also applies to a person's own choice to remain unmarried, so that one who is firmly resolved, has no necessity to marry, and can govern the will does well to remain unmarried and devote life and strength wholly to God. Remaining unmarried in this way must not be imposed on others as a duty nor made a reason for boasting. Marriage is not sinful for one who cannot relinquish its lawful and legitimate relations, and no one should be urged to remain unmarried in a way that places that person in temptation.
The verse belongs to a chapter teaching that keeping God's commandments is something of consequence, not nothing, and that the commandments are not abolished. It belongs to the plain teaching on the marriage relation in 1 Corinthians 7 that every man and woman should study. That teaching distinguishes bringing children into the world under proper conditions for their care, education, and training for immortality from selfish yielding to appetite. Such selfish yielding has been the curse of the marriage relation ever since sin entered the world, and those who are candidates for translation must be delivered from it before the close of probation. The verse carries the thought of consecration before God into married life and teaches true moral firmness and physical consecration. That consecration was especially needed then because of the customs of the heathen on every side, and is needed now because of the tendency toward looseness on all moral questions.
In line with the chapter's teaching, obedience is of the heart, and one person cannot be a conscience for another or obey in another's place, though the principle in the heart determines the act. This is seen when a believing wife with an unconverted husband is compelled to prepare meat, tea, coffee, and other things contrary to health reform and purity that she would never use for herself. God recognizes the true spirit of obedience in her heart and accepts her self-sacrifice and loyalty. What would be sin if done for her own sake He counts as obedience and righteousness when done under such compulsion.