# Exposition on 1 Corinthians

- Author: [Pelagius](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/pelagius/)
- Latin title: *Expositio in epistulam I ad Corinthios*
- Date: ca. 405–410 (approximate)
- Source: Alexander Souter, ed., Pelagius's Expositions of Thirteen Epistles of St Paul, vol. 2: Text and Apparatus Criticus, Texts and Studies 9.2 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1926) (Latin text: A. Souter (Texts and Studies 9.2, 1926); OCR of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam scan, read by Tesseract)

- Translation: Claude, from the original text, unless a passage says otherwise; each passage below gives the translator
- Editions and translations: Alexander Souter, Pelagius's Expositions of Thirteen Epistles of St Paul, 3 vols., Texts and Studies 9 (Cambridge, 1922–1931)
- Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/
- Passages: 40

## 1 Corinthians 7:1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-1
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:159
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Paul turns from unlawful unions to lawful marriage.

### Latin text

De quibus autem scripsistis mihi. Incipit de coniugiis: ante enim expugnauit inlicita quam de licitis loqueretur. Bonum est homini mulierem non tangere:

### English translation (Claude)

"Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me." He begins on marriages: for he first attacked what is unlawful before speaking of what is lawful. "It is good for a man not to touch a woman."

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:1: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.1 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:159; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1).

## 1 Corinthians 7:2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-2
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:159
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Lemma of 1 Cor 7:2.

### Latin text

propter incontinentiam autem unus quisque suam. uxorem habeat [et una quaeque suum uirum habeat].

### English translation (Claude)

"But because of incontinence let each man have his own wife [and let each woman have her own husband]."

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:2: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Souter prints the second half of the verse in square brackets (words not found in all the manuscripts of the commentary).

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.2 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:159; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-2).

## 1 Corinthians 7:3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-3
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:159–160
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Marriage is a concession to the incontinent; continence is to be preached first, and marriage is for children, not lust.

### Latin text

uxori uir debitum reddat, similiter aut[em] et uxor uiro. Bonum fuerat illut quod uobis in primordio praedicaui, hoc est, secundum coniugii usum non tangere mulierem: sed quoniam multos incontinentes huic doctrinae scripsistis refragari, concedatur remedium, ne fornicando moriantur. ergo hoc apostoli exemplo in primis uirginitas et continentia praedicanda est, etsi quis se incontinentem non erubuerit confiteri, in lang[u]ore incontinentiae reclamanti non denegetur remedium nuptiarum, quo modo si peritus medicus inquieto aegro et neganti se posse a pomis omnibus abstinere, saltem minus pernitiosa concedat. incontinentiae re uera usus et tempore et aetate et loco et infirmitate prohibetur: castitas uero potest iugiter custodiri. illut ergo [magis] debemus adpetere, quod et facilius custodire sine ullo impedimento possumus et [iam] in perpetuo possidere. sed obicere amatores luxuriae solent: * ut quid ergo prima dei benedictio crescere et multiplicari concessit?" ut terra scilicet repleretur, qua iam impleta debemus ab incontinentia temperare. “sed potuit," inquies, “omnes de terra formare, si semper illius] usus coniugii non fuerit placiturus." sed non quaeritur quid potuit, sed quid fecit, cui omnia possibilia sunt. ipsam quoque Euam noluit de terra facere, sed de costa. si autem putas nobis antiqua tempora in omnibus conuenire, imitare Adam, qui filiam, ut ita dixerim, suam accepit uxorem, Cain similiter, si non pudet, et ceteros qui proprias in matrimonium acceperunt sorores. quod si fieri non debet, omnia deum secundum praescientiam suis temporibus ordinasse credamus, ut qui tunc terram impleri uoluit, modo plus diligat castitatem, cui et grande praemium repromittit. illut etiam dicendum est quod nec secundum uetus testamentum quosdam uxores habere uideamus, quia ibi uxores liberorum causa habere permissum est, non propter nimiam libidinem exercendam. qui in hoc etiam animalibus deteriores esse noscuntur, quo necando filios probant se non filiorum causa nupsisse: qui autem ea sola causa coniungitur, statim se abstinet post conceptum, et cessante iam per aetatem partu cessat et[iam] usus.

### English translation (Claude)

"Let the husband render the debt to the wife, and likewise also the wife to the husband." That which I preached to you at the beginning would have been good, that is, according to the use of marriage, not to touch a woman: but since you have written that many incontinent people resist this teaching, let a remedy be granted, so that they do not die by committing sexual immorality. By this example of the apostle, therefore, virginity and continence are to be preached first of all; but if anyone has not blushed to confess himself incontinent, the remedy of marriage is not to be refused him when he cries out in the weakness of incontinence, just as a skilled physician, when a restless patient says he cannot abstain from all fruit, at least grants the less harmful ones. In truth the use of incontinence is forbidden by time, by age, by place, and by infirmity: but chastity can be kept continually. We ought therefore to seek that [rather] which we can both more easily keep without any hindrance and [now] possess for ever. But the lovers of self-indulgence are accustomed to object: "Why, then, did God's first blessing grant increase and multiplication?" So that, of course, the earth might be filled; now that it is filled, we ought to refrain from incontinence. "But," you will say, "he could have formed everyone from the earth, if that use of marriage was never going to please him." But the question is not what he could do, but what he did, to whom all things are possible. Eve herself, too, he did not wish to make from the earth, but from a rib. But if you think that the ancient times suit us in all things, imitate Adam, who took as his wife his own daughter, so to speak; likewise Cain, if you are not ashamed, and the others who took their own sisters in marriage. But if this ought not to be done, let us believe that God ordained all things in their own times according to his foreknowledge, so that he who then wished the earth to be filled now loves chastity more, to which he also promises a great reward. This too must be said, that we do not see certain people having wives even under the old covenant, because there it was permitted to have wives for the sake of children, not for the exercise of excessive lust. In this they are known to be even worse than animals, since by killing their children they prove that they did not marry for the sake of children: but one who is joined for that reason alone abstains at once after conception, and when childbearing ceases with age, use also ceases.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:3: quotation, high confidence
- Gen 1:28: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 2:21: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 4:17: allusion, medium confidence
- Matt 19:26: echo, low confidence

### Translation notes

- God's first blessing: Gen 1:28. Eve from a rib: Gen 2:21–22. Adam's 'daughter' is Eve, formed from his body; Cain's wife: Gen 4:17.
- The clause 'we do not see certain people having wives even under the old covenant' is translated as printed; the sense seems to be that even in the Old Testament wives were not taken for lust. OCR text; small bracketed words are Souter's.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.3 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:159–160; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-3).

## 1 Corinthians 7:4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-4
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:160
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Lemma of 1 Cor 7:4.

### Latin text

Mulier sui corporis potestatem. non habet, sed uir: similiter [autem] et uir sui corporis potestatem non habet, sed mulier.

### English translation (Claude)

"The wife does not have power over her own body, but the husband: likewise [also] the husband does not have power over his own body, but the wife."

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:4: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.4 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:160; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-4).

## 1 Corinthians 7:5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-5
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:160–162
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Spouses may abstain by consent for prayer; continence sanctifies, as at Sinai and with the priestly bread.

### Latin text

nolite fraudare inuicem. [Corpus dicitur omne quod iungitur. sicut ergo mulier corpus dicitur uiri, ita et uir corpus mulieris appellatur. ideo neque si uoluerit mulier contraire, in corpore suo—id est, in uxore—uir poterit dominari. dubium autem non est multo magis nolente uiro neque in uirum mulierem posse praeualere. quoniam ergo de duobus incontinentibus dicit, concedit ex necessitate apostolus [ut] in id ipsum, quia utrique incontinentes sunt, reuertantur, ne intercedente quacumque dissensionis causa ambo fornicationis crimen admittant, quia utrique sunt incontinentes. ceterum autem, si unus e duobus considerans praemium castitatis, uoluerit continere, incontinenti adsentire non debet, sed ita agere ut uidendo continentiam illius] prouocetur incontinens, quia luxuria ad continentiam transire debet, non ad luxuriam continentia declinare. quamuis plurimae mulieres castitati se contradicant, ita illum qui uoluerit continere, agere debere ut in continentia adsentiat in id ipsum, ne dum ille continet, illa peccet. ‘anima quae peccauerit, ipsa morietur. ‘nec enim seruituti subiectus est frater aut soror [in] eiusmodi. “neque enim uocauit nos deus in inmunditiam, sed in sanctificationem.’ Aliter:] Quia uoluit uiro esse subiecta, ipsa sibi abstulit libertatem. Nisi forte ex consensu ad tempus, ut uacetis orationi. [De]negare uidetur incontinentes orationi posse uacare, quae in eo utique minor est communioni, quo catechumenus et paenitens orant, qui communicare non possunt. non solum hoc in nouo, sed etiam in uetere testamento sanctificantur a muliere, ut descendenti[s] deo in monte[m] adsistere mereantur. hinc probatur quid possit perpetua continentia, si tantum ualuit triduana. unde et in Regnorum panem sacerdotalem non nisi continentes accipiunt, quam ob causam necessitas legem soluere uenialiter potuit suffragio castitatis. unde et Petrus hortatur nostras orationes minime impediri debere. Et iterum in id ipsum reuertimini, ne temptet uos satanas propter intemperantiam uestram. | Notandum quod ad duos respondens incontinentes, uni non praeiudicet continenti] [ne uno se retrahente alius incontinens fornicetur].

### English translation (Claude)

"Do not defraud one another." [Everything that is joined is called a body. Just as, then, the wife is called the body of the husband, so too the husband is called the body of the wife. Therefore, if the wife is unwilling, the husband will not be able to rule in his body, that is, in his wife. And there is no doubt that much more, if the husband is unwilling, the wife cannot prevail over the husband. Since, then, he is speaking of two who are incontinent, the apostle concedes out of necessity that they come together again, because both are incontinent, so that when some cause of disagreement arises both do not commit the crime of sexual immorality, because both are incontinent. Otherwise, if one of the two, considering the reward of chastity, wishes to be continent, he ought not to give in to the incontinent one, but to act so that the incontinent one is stirred by seeing his continence, because self-indulgence ought to pass over to continence, not continence sink to self-indulgence. Although very many women set themselves against chastity, the one who wishes to be continent ought to act so that she agrees to come together in continence, lest, while he is continent, she sin. "The soul that sins, it shall die." "For a brother or sister is not subject to bondage in such cases." "For God has not called us to uncleanness, but to sanctification." Another interpretation:] Because she was willing to be subject to her husband, she herself gave up her freedom. "Unless perhaps by consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer." He seems to deny that the incontinent can devote themselves to prayer, which is certainly less than communion in this respect, that the catechumen and the penitent pray, who cannot receive communion. Not only in the New but also in the Old Testament people are sanctified by abstaining from a woman, so that they may be worthy to stand by when God comes down on the mountain. Hence it is proved what perpetual continence can do, if three days' continence was so powerful. Hence too in Kingdoms only the continent receive the priestly bread, for which reason necessity could loosen the law pardonably, with chastity in its support. Hence Peter too urges that our prayers ought not to be hindered at all. "And come together again, lest Satan tempt you because of your intemperance." Note that in answering two incontinent people he does not prejudge the one who is continent [lest, when one withdraws, the other, being incontinent, commit sexual immorality].

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:5: quotation, high confidence
- Ezek 18:4: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Cor 7:15: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Thess 4:7: quotation, high confidence
- Exod 19:15: allusion, high confidence
- 1 Sam 21:4: allusion, high confidence
- 1 Pet 3:7: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Souter prints the long passage 'Everything that is joined … Another interpretation' and the last clause in square brackets: they are probably additions found in part of the manuscript tradition. The bracketed passage comments on 7:4.
- 'The soul that sins': Ezek 18:4, 20. 'Not subject to bondage': 1 Cor 7:15. 'Not to uncleanness': 1 Thess 4:7. Three days at Sinai: Exod 19:15. Priestly bread: 1 Sam 21:4–6 (1 Kingdoms). Peter: 1 Pet 3:7.
- 'Which is certainly less than communion': the argument runs from the lesser to the greater: catechumens and penitents may pray but not receive communion.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.5 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:160–162; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-5).

## 1 Corinthians 7:6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-6
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:162
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Lemma of 1 Cor 7:6.

### Latin text

Hoc autem dico secundum indulgentiam, non secundum imperium.

### English translation (Claude)

"But I say this by way of concession, not of command."

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:6: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.6 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:162; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-6).

## 1 Corinthians 7:7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-7
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:162
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Paul wishes all were celibate like him, which shows it is possible; each receives according to his own will.

### Latin text

uolo autem omnes homines esse sicut me ipsum. Hoc ut paruolis indulgeo, non praecipio ut perfectis; nam omnes homines cupio mihi similes inueniri: noui enim quanta castitas mercede pensetur. numquam hoc uoluisset apostolus, si fieri omnino non po[tui]sset. Sed unus quisque proprium habet donum ex deo, alius quidem sic, alius uero sic. Hoc est, propri[a]e uoluntatis accepit donatiuum.

### English translation (Claude)

"But I wish all men to be as I myself am." This I allow as to little children; I do not command it as to the perfect; for I desire all men to be found like me: for I know with what a reward chastity is repaid. The apostle would never have wished this if it could not be done at all. "But each has his own gift from God, one this way, another that." That is, he has received the reward of his own will.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:7: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- 'Received the reward (donatiuum) of his own will': Pelagius explains the 'gift' as following the person's own choice; translated as written.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.7 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:162; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-7).

## 1 Corinthians 7:8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-8
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:162
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: It is good for the unmarried and widows to remain as Paul is.

### Latin text

Dico autem non nuptis et uiduis. Incipit aliam causam de innuptis. Bonum est illis, si sic [per]maneant sicut et ego. Magnopere adpetendum est quod a tanto doctore laudatur.

### English translation (Claude)

"But I say to the unmarried and to widows." He begins another matter, about the unmarried. "It is good for them if they remain so, even as I." What is praised by so great a teacher is to be sought eagerly.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:8: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.8 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:162; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-8).

## 1 Corinthians 7:9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-9
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:162
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Marriage is granted to the unmarried and widows who cannot contain, as better than immorality punished by fire.

### Latin text

Quod si non [se] continent, nubant. Notandum quod incontinentibus nuptiae conceduntur. Melius est enim nubere quam uri. Malo fornicationis est melius, quod igne punitur, sicut Iudas in Genesi de sua nuru pronuntiat.

### English translation (Claude)

"But if they do not contain themselves, let them marry." Note that marriage is granted to the incontinent. "For it is better to marry than to burn." It is better than the evil of sexual immorality, which is punished by fire, as Judah pronounces in Genesis about his daughter-in-law.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:9: quotation, high confidence
- Gen 38:24: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Pelagius takes 'burn' as the fire that punishes sexual immorality, citing Judah's sentence on Tamar (Gen 38:24).

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.9 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:162; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-9).

## 1 Corinthians 7:10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-10
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:162–163
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Marriages are not to be dissolved; the Lord forbade putting away a wife and marrying another.

### Latin text

His autem qui matrimonio iuncti sunt. Item de coniugiis minime causa aliqua dimittendis. Praecipio non ego, sed dominus, uxorem a uiro non discedere. Prohibet dimittere quacumque ex causa, ne aliis coniungantur secundum consuetudinem Iudaeorum, quam dominus interdixit dicens: “ quicumque dimiserit uxorem suam, excepta fornicationis causa, et aliam duxerit, moechatur.'

### English translation (Claude)

"But to those who are joined in marriage." Again about marriages, which are not to be put away for any cause at all. "I command, not I but the Lord, that the wife not depart from her husband." He forbids putting away for any cause whatever, so that they are not joined to others according to the custom of the Jews, which the Lord prohibited, saying: "Whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery."

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:10: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 19:9: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 5:32: quotation, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- The quotation combines Matt 5:32 ('except for the cause of sexual immorality') with Matt 19:9 ('and marries another, commits adultery'). Pelagius says 'for any cause whatever' and then quotes the exception clause; translated as written.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.10 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:162–163; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-10).

## 1 Corinthians 7:11

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-11
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:163
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A wife who separates must stay unmarried or be reconciled; the husband must not put away his wife.

### Latin text

Quod si discesserit, manere innuptam, aut uiro [suo] reconciliari: et uir[um] uxorem non dimittere. Si ob aliquam causam discesserit, alii non nubat, aut suo uiro, si uoluerit, reconcilietur, quia hoc illi melius esse manifestum est.

### English translation (Claude)

"But if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to [her] husband: and let the husband not put away his wife." If for some cause she departs, let her not marry another, or let her be reconciled to her own husband, if she wishes, because it is clear that this is better for her.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:11: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.11 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:163; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-11).

## 1 Corinthians 7:12

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-12
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:163
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A believer whose unbelieving wife consents to stay must not put her away.

### Latin text

Nam ceteris ego dico, non dominus. Consilium do quod mihi utile [esse] uidetur. Si quis [frater] uxorem. habet infidelem et haec consentit habitare cum illo, non dimittat illam ;

### English translation (Claude)

"For to the rest I say, not the Lord." I give advice that seems to me to be useful. "If any [brother] has an unbelieving wife and she consents to live with him, let him not put her away;"

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:12: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.12 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:163; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-12).

## 1 Corinthians 7:13

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-13
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:163
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Paul speaks of a marriage where one spouse came to faith, not of a believer marrying an unbeliever.

### Latin text

et si qua mulier habet uirum non fidelem et hic consentit habitare cum illa, non relinquat uirum. Si quis solus credi[deri]t e duobus, non quo permiserit fidelem infideli coniungi: non enim dixit ‘si quis duxit, sed ‘si quis habet' infidelem.

### English translation (Claude)

"and if any woman has a husband who is not a believer and he consents to live with her, let her not leave her husband." If only one of the two has come to believe; not that he permitted a believer to be joined to an unbeliever: for he did not say "if anyone has married" but "if anyone has" an unbeliever.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:13: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.13 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:163; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-13).

## 1 Corinthians 7:14

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-14
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:163–164
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The unbelieving spouse may be won by the believer's changed life and by the children's example.

### Latin text

Sanctificatus est enim uir infidelis in uxore fideli, et sanctificata est mulier infidelis per maritum fidelem. Exemplum refert quia saepe contigerit ut lucri fieret uir per mulierem, unde et beatus Petrus ait: *ut si qui non credunt uerbo, per mulierum conuersationem sine uerbo lucri fiant’; id est, cum uiderint eas in melius commutatas, cognoscant non nisi dei legem ita consuetudinem inueteratam potuis[s]e mutare. Alioquin fili uestri immundi essent: nunc autem sancti sunt. Si non ita esset, [ut] dico, filii uestri adhuc immundi [per]manerent; saepe enim si[c] contigerat ut filii ill[or]um parentem qui crediderat sequerentur; sub qua spe credi uoluit alterum saluari posse, tam liberorum exemplo quam coniugis.

### English translation (Claude)

"For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the believing wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through the believing husband." He gives an example, because it has often happened that a husband was won through his wife; hence blessed Peter too says: "so that, if any do not believe the word, they may be won without a word through the conduct of the women"; that is, when they see them changed for the better, they may recognize that nothing but the law of God could have changed an inveterate habit in this way. "Otherwise your children would be unclean: but now they are holy." If it were not as I say, your children would still remain unclean; for it had often happened that their children followed the parent who had believed; in this hope he wanted it believed that the other could be saved, by the example of the children as much as of the spouse.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:14: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Pet 3:1: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Peter: 1 Pet 3:1.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.14 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:163–164; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-14).

## 1 Corinthians 7:15

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-15
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:164
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: If an unbelieving spouse leaves, the believer is not bound to perish with him, but believers must not leave of their own accord.

### Latin text

Quod si infidelis discedit [, discedat]. Maritus enim uel uxor non sunt domino praeferendi. Non est enim seruituti deditus frater aut soror in eius modi. Non enim ita ligatus est in eius modi causa, quasi uere illi seruire necesse sit et propter alterum interire. In pace autem uocauit nos deus. Ceterum non ad discidium sumus uocati: ultro ergo discedere non debemus.

### English translation (Claude)

"But if the unbeliever departs[, let him depart]." For a husband or wife is not to be preferred to the Lord. "For a brother or sister is not given over to bondage in such a matter." He is not so bound in a case of this kind as if he truly had to serve the other and perish because of the other. "But God has called us in peace." Otherwise, we have not been called to separation: therefore we ought not to depart of our own accord.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:15: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Pelagius does not say here whether the deserted believer may marry again.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.15 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:164; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-15).

## 1 Corinthians 7:16

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-16
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:164
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The believer may save the unbelieving spouse; doubtful outcomes should be hoped for the best.

### Latin text

Unde enim scis, mulier, si uirum saluum facies? Si per te credat et saluus sit. simul quaerendum quo modo superius sanctificatus dicatur, de cuius hic salute dubitatur, nisi secundum hunc quem exposuimus intellectum. Aut unde scis, uir, si mulierem. saluam facies? Dubie quidem posuit, sed semper ambigua in melius euenire credenda sunt.

### English translation (Claude)

"For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband?" If he believes through you and is saved. At the same time we must ask how he was said above to be sanctified, about whose salvation there is doubt here, unless according to the understanding we have set out. "Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?" He put it doubtfully, but ambiguous things are always to be believed to turn out for the better.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:16: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.16 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:164; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-16).

## 1 Corinthians 7:17

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-17
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:164
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Each should walk in the state in which God called him.

### Latin text

Nisi uni cuique sicut dominus partitus est: unum quemque sicut. uocauit deus, ita ambulet, sicut [ubique] in omnibus ecclesiis doceo. Uel cum fideli coniuge, uel etiam cum [in]fideli. Siue in praeputio siue circumcisus, seruus aut liber.

### English translation (Claude)

"Only, as the Lord has apportioned to each, as God has called each, so let him walk, as I teach [everywhere] in all the churches." Whether with a believing spouse or even with an unbelieving one. Whether in uncircumcision or circumcised, slave or free.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:17: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.17 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:164; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-17).

## 1 Corinthians 7:18

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-18
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:164–165
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The circumcised need not regret it; the apostles let some keep the law's works for a time.

### Latin text

Circumcisus aliquis uocatus est? non adducat praeputium: in praeputio [ali]quis uocatus est? non circumcidatur. Non putet se superflue circumcisum, nec de hoc paeniteat: fuit enim suo tempore necessarium. Siue: Hoc modo non adducat praeputium, quo sine legis caerimoniis uiuat, quia tunc quibusdam apostoli permittebant opera legalia custodire, ne subito a lege retracti scandalum paterentur.

### English translation (Claude)

"Was anyone called circumcised? Let him not draw on a foreskin. Was anyone called in uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised." Let him not think himself needlessly circumcised, nor regret it: for it was necessary in its time. Or: "let him not draw on a foreskin" in this sense, that he should live without the ceremonies of the law, because at that time the apostles permitted some to keep the works of the law, so that they would not be offended by being drawn away from the law suddenly.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:18: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.18 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:164–165; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-18).

## 1 Corinthians 7:19

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-19
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:165
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Circumcision now neither helps nor harms.

### Latin text

Circumcisio nihil est, et praeputium nihil est [, sed obseruatio mandatorum dei necessaria est]. Hoc tempore nec prodesse poterit nec obesse.

### English translation (Claude)

"Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing[, but keeping the commandments of God is necessary]." At this time it can neither help nor harm.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:19: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The bracketed words of the lemma are in square brackets in Souter.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.19 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:165; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-19).

## 1 Corinthians 7:20

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-20
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:165
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Lemma of 1 Cor 7:20.

### Latin text

Unus quisque in qua uocatione uocatus est, in ipsa permane[a]t aput deum.

### English translation (Claude)

"Let each remain before God in the calling in which he was called."

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:20: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.20 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:165; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-20).

## 1 Corinthians 7:21

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-21
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:165
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: God looks at the will, not one's social condition; the slave should rather make use of slavery.

### Latin text

seruus uocatus es? non sit tibi curae. Ne dicas: “quo modo possum deo placere, qui seruus sum?" deus enim non condiciones aspicit, sed uoluntatem quaerit et mentem. Sed et si potes liber fieri, magis utere. Magis utere seruitio. Usque adeo non prodest libertas nec seruitus nocet.

### English translation (Claude)

"Were you called as a slave? Let it not trouble you." Do not say: "How can I please God, when I am a slave?" For God does not look at people's condition, but seeks the will and the mind. "But even if you can become free, rather make use of it." Make use of slavery rather. So little does freedom help or slavery harm.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:21: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Pelagius takes 'rather make use of it' to mean 'make use of slavery'; translated as written.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.21 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:165; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-21).

## 1 Corinthians 7:22

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-22
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:165
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Slave and free are equal before God.

### Latin text

Qui enim in domino uocatus est seruus, libertus est domini: similiter [et] qui liber uocatus est, seruus est Christi. [Qui hominis seruus est, libertus est dei, et qui hominibus liber est, seruus est Christi.] ambo ergo unum sunt; ‘non est enim personarum acceptio aput deum."

### English translation (Claude)

"For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord: likewise [also] he who was called free is a slave of Christ." [He who is a slave of man is a freedman of God, and he who is free with respect to men is a slave of Christ.] Both, then, are one; "for there is no partiality with God."

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:22: quotation, high confidence
- Rom 2:11: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The second sentence is in square brackets in Souter. 'No partiality': Rom 2:11.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.22 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:165; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-22).

## 1 Corinthians 7:23

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-23
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:165
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Lemma of 1 Cor 7:23.

### Latin text

Praetio empti estis: nolite fieri serui hominum |;

### English translation (Claude)

"You were bought with a price: do not become slaves of men;"

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:23: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.23 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:165; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-23).

## 1 Corinthians 7:24

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-24
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:165–166
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Bought by Christ's blood, Christians should act for God, not to please men.

### Latin text

unus quisque frater in quo uocatus est, in hoc maneat aput deum]. Praetio uero, hoc est, Christi sanguine comparati: nihil ergo propter homines faciatis, sicut alibi ait: ‘non ad oculum seruientes, quasi hominibus placentes, sed quasi serui Christi, facientes uoluntatem dei ex animo, et cetera.

### English translation (Claude)

"brothers, let each remain before God in that in which he was called." "With a price," that is, purchased by the blood of Christ: therefore do nothing for the sake of men, as he says elsewhere: "not serving to the eye, as pleasing men, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart," and so on.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:24: quotation, high confidence
- Eph 6:6: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- 'Not serving to the eye': Eph 6:6.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.24 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:165–166; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-24).

## 1 Corinthians 7:25

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-25
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:166
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Virginity is counsel, not command; fulfilling a command only escapes punishment.

### Latin text

De uirginibus autem. Et de hoc consuluerant, ubi esset praecepta uirginitas. Praeceptum. domini non habeo. Quod sub praecepto est, si non impleatur, punit[ur]: impletum morte tantum caret, quia nihil ex se dat, sed quod debet exsoluit. Consilium autem do. Consilium autem saluatoris dicentis: ‘sunt qui se castrauerunt propter regnum caelorum. Tamquam. misericordiam. consecutus a domino. Suo exemplo docet non nisi in domino gloriandum. Ut sim fidelis. Domini mei semper seruitio occupatus.

### English translation (Claude)

"Now concerning virgins." They had consulted him about this too, whether virginity was commanded anywhere. "I have no command of the Lord." What is under command is punished if it is not fulfilled: when fulfilled it only escapes death, because it gives nothing of its own but pays what it owes. "But I give advice." The advice of the Saviour, who says: "There are those who have castrated themselves for the kingdom of heaven." "As one who has obtained mercy from the Lord." By his own example he teaches that one must boast only in the Lord. "To be faithful." Always occupied in the service of my Lord.

### Scripture references

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

### Translation notes

- 'Castrated themselves for the kingdom': Matt 19:12. 'Ubi esset praecepta uirginitas' is taken as 'whether virginity was commanded anywhere'.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.25 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:166; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-25).

## 1 Corinthians 7:26

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-26
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:166
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Paul's 'I think' is certain; the unmarried are free of worldly anxiety and await virginity's reward.

### Latin text

| Existimo ergo bonum esse.| Hic * existimo" non pro dubio posuit, sed pro certo, sicut et illut: *puto enim et ego spiritum dei habeo. Propter instantem. necessitatem. Id est, praesentis uitae sollicitudinem, quae multum potest obesse iustitiae, et. qua praecipue iuncti matrimoniis implicantur. Quoniam bonum est homini sic esse. Duplex bonum est et sollicitudinibus mundi carere et uirginitatis praemium expectare.

### English translation (Claude)

"I think, therefore, that it is good." Here he put "I think" not as doubtful but as certain, like that other saying: "For I think that I too have the Spirit of God." "Because of the present necessity." That is, the anxiety of the present life, which can greatly hinder righteousness, and in which those joined in marriage are especially entangled. "That it is good for a man to be so." The good is twofold: both to be free of the anxieties of the world and to await the reward of virginity.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:26: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Cor 7:40: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- 'I think that I too have the Spirit of God': 1 Cor 7:40.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.26 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:166; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-26).

## 1 Corinthians 7:27

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-27
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:166
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The married must not seek release by separation; the unmarried should not seek a wife.

### Latin text

Uinctus es uxori? noli quaerere solutionem : solutus es ab uxore? ne quaesieris uxorem. Ita uult solutos non ligari, quo modo nec solui [discidio] ligatos admitti[t].

### English translation (Claude)

"Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek release. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife." He wants those who are released not to be bound, just as he does not allow those who are bound to be released [by separation].

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:27: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- 'By separation' (discidio) is in square brackets in Souter.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.27 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:166; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-27).

## 1 Corinthians 7:28

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-28
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:166–167
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Marriage is no sin, except for one who has vowed chastity; virgins are spared the cares of marriage.

### Latin text

Si autem acceperis uxorem, non peccasti. Quia liberae uoluntatis es: si non uis esse maior, esto uel minor: nuptiae enim peccatum non sunt, sed per sollicitudinem mundi qui nubunt legem seruare uix [non] possunt. Aliter: Illos dicit non peccare, si nubant, qui nondum deo uouerint castitatem. [ceterum] uel qui in corde [suo] promisit, si aliut fecerit, "habet damnationem, quia primam fidem irritam fecit. quod enim erat licitum, per uotum sibi fecit inlicitum, sicut Ananiae et Saphyrae, quibus de pretio possessionis suae retinere nihil licuit, ob quam causam et subita morte prostrati sunt. Et si nupserit uirgo, non peccauit: tribulationem tamen carnis habebunt huius modi. Maledicto se Euae subicientes. Siue: Per sollicitudinem saecularem tribulatione[m] et tristitiam patientur. Ego autem uobis parco. Uobis uirginibus, ut minore labore maiorem possitis implere iustitiam.

### English translation (Claude)

"But if you take a wife, you have not sinned." Because you have free will: if you do not wish to be greater, be at least lesser: for marriage is not a sin, but through anxiety for the world those who marry can scarcely keep the law. Another interpretation: He says that those do not sin if they marry who have not yet vowed chastity to God. [Otherwise,] even one who has promised it [in his heart], if he does otherwise, "has condemnation, because he has made void his first faith." For what was lawful he made unlawful for himself by the vow, as for Ananias and Sapphira, who were not allowed to keep back anything of the price of their property, for which reason they were struck down by sudden death. "And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned: yet such will have tribulation of the flesh." Subjecting themselves to the curse of Eve. Or: through worldly anxiety they will suffer tribulation and sadness. "But I spare you." You virgins, so that with less labour you may fulfil greater righteousness.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:28: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Tim 5:12: quotation, high confidence
- Acts 5:1: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 3:16: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- 'Can scarcely keep the law': Souter brackets a 'non' after 'scarcely', which would make no sense and is left out. 'Has condemnation … first faith': 1 Tim 5:12. Ananias and Sapphira: Acts 5:1–11. The curse of Eve: Gen 3:16.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.28 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:166–167; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-28).

## 1 Corinthians 7:29

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-29
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:167
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Life is short; even the married should live as if unmarried, and the unmarried should not marry.

### Latin text

Hoc itaque dico, fratres: tempus breue est: reliquum est. Tempus uitae nostrae modicum adserit, ut doceat uoluptatem quae cito finitur non magnopere adpetendam, sed magis concupiscendum esse aeternum praemium castitatis. Ut [et] qui habent uxores ita sint ac si non habeant. Hic omni intentione etiam habentes uxores ad continentiam cohortatur, ut multo magis suadeat non nubere non habentes.

### English translation (Claude)

"This, then, I say, brothers: the time is short: it remains." He asserts that the time of our life is brief, to teach that pleasure, which soon ends, is not to be greatly sought, but rather the eternal reward of chastity is to be desired. "That [even] those who have wives be as though they had none." Here with all earnestness he urges even those who have wives to continence, so as to persuade much more those who do not have them not to marry.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:29: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.29 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:167; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-29).

## 1 Corinthians 7:30

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-30
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:167
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Lemma of 1 Cor 7:30.

### Latin text

Et qui flent tamquam non flentes, et qui gaudent tamquam non gaudentes, et qui emunt [tamquam] non possidentes,

### English translation (Claude)

"And those who weep as though not weeping, and those who rejoice as though not rejoicing, and those who buy [as though] not possessing,"

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:30: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.30 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:167; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-30).

## 1 Corinthians 7:31

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-31
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:167–168
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: This world passes like a shadow, an image of the world to come; the wise learn from the deaths of others.

### Latin text

[|ef] qui utuntur hoc mundo, tamquam non utantur. Quia et istut in breui transibit: ‘tempus’ enim *omni[s] rei sub sole, tempus plangendi [et tempus gaudendi ], et cetera. Praeterit enim figura huius mundi. Hoc saeculum quasi umbra pertransit: nolite ergo de eo multum esse solliciti, ne possessionem perdatis aeternam, et figuram quaerentes incipiatis amittere ueritatem: hic enim mundus imago futuri est. si ergo talis est imago, ipsa ueritas qualis est! unde si hoc tam impense diligitis, quanto magis illut impensius amare debetis! nam saeculum hoc nos dimissuros cotidiana morientium exempla testantur. an forte nos solos esse credimus immortales, quasi non simus ex hominibus generati? unde sapiens semper aliorum casibus emendatur, dicente scriptura: ‘cor sapientis in domo luctus: hic enim finis omni homini, et qui uult dabit bonum in corde suo.’

### English translation (Claude)

"[and] those who use this world as though they did not use it." Because this too will soon pass away: for there is "a time for every thing under the sun, a time to mourn [and a time to rejoice]," and so on. "For the form of this world is passing away." This age passes like a shadow: do not, then, be very anxious about it, lest you lose the eternal possession, and, seeking the figure, begin to lose the truth: for this world is an image of the one to come. If, then, the image is such, what is the truth itself like! Hence, if you love this so intensely, how much more intensely ought you to love that! For the daily examples of the dying testify that we shall leave this age. Or do we perhaps believe that we alone are immortal, as though we were not begotten of human beings? Hence the wise man is always corrected by the misfortunes of others, as Scripture says: "The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning: for this is the end of every man, and the living will lay it to heart."

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:31: quotation, high confidence
- Eccl 3:1: quotation, high confidence
- Eccl 3:4: quotation, high confidence
- Eccl 7:4: quotation, medium confidence
- Eccl 7:2: quotation, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- 'A time for every thing … a time to mourn': Eccl 3:1, 4. The last quotation combines Eccl 7:4 ('the heart of the wise is in the house of mourning') and 7:2 ('this is the end of every man'). Its last words read 'qui uult dabit bonum in corde suo' in the OCR; the Greek has 'the living' (ὁ ζῶν), so 'uult' may be a misreading of 'uiuit'; translated by sense.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.31 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:167–168; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-31).

## 1 Corinthians 7:32

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-32
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:168
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The unmarried man cares for the Lord's things; we should want what Paul wants.

### Latin text

Uolo [autem] uos sine sollicitudine esse. qui sine uxore est cogitat quae domini sunt, quo modo placeat deo. Debemus et nos uelle quod apostolus uelle se dicit, ne incontinentes contra eius uideamur facere uoluntatem.

### English translation (Claude)

"[But] I want you to be without anxiety. He who is without a wife thinks about the things of the Lord, how he may please God." We too ought to want what the apostle says he wants, lest we who are incontinent seem to act against his will.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:32: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.32 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:168; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-32).

## 1 Corinthians 7:33

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-33
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:168
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Worldly anxiety, like the thorns and the excuses in the parable, keeps the married from God.

### Latin text

Qui autem cum uxore est, sollicitus est quae sunt [huius| mundi, quo modo placeat uxori. Multum enim nobis expedit sollicitudine carere mundana, ne [f]orte spinae suffocent semen et dicere incipiamus: 'uillam comparaui, boues emi, uxorem duxi; ad cenam ‘uenire non possum.' [et] quale est uxori magis uelle placere quam domino! Diuisa est

### English translation (Claude)

"But he who is with a wife is anxious about the things [of this] world, how he may please his wife." For it is of great benefit to us to be free of worldly anxiety, lest perhaps thorns choke the seed and we begin to say: "I have bought a farm, I have bought oxen, I have married a wife; I cannot come to the dinner." [And] what a thing it is to want to please a wife more than the Lord! "Divided is

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:33: quotation, high confidence
- Matt 13:22: allusion, medium confidence
- Luke 14:18: quotation, high confidence
- Luke 14:20: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Thorns: Matt 13:7, 22. The excuses: Luke 14:18–20.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.33 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:168; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-33).

## 1 Corinthians 7:34

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-34
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:168–169
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: The unmarried woman is holy in body and spirit; an unmarried woman with worldly cares is worse than a wife.

### Latin text

mulier et uirgo. Quod diuisum est, unum non [Quae innupta [est ] cogitat quae sunt domini: ut sit sancta corpore et spiritu. Corpore ab usu coniugali, spiritu a rerum mundanarum sollicitudine, dum tota diuino seruitio mancipatur. Quae autem nupta est, cogitat quae sunt [huius] mundi, quo modo placeat uiro. Nuptam uiro placere adserit cogitando quae mundi sunt, innuptam uero deo eo quod illi nulla cura sit saeculi. quae ergo uirum non habet, et tamen quae mundi sunt cogitat, cui placere desiderat? nonne incipiet illi nupta praeponi, quae cogitando mundana conplacet uel marito, cum haec nec marito—quem non habet—nitatur placere, nec deo?

### English translation (Claude)

the wife and the virgin." What is divided is not one. "The unmarried woman thinks about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy in body and spirit." In body, from conjugal relations; in spirit, from anxiety about worldly things, while she is wholly given over to divine service. "But she who is married thinks about the things [of this] world, how she may please her husband." He asserts that the married woman pleases her husband by thinking about the things of the world, but the unmarried woman pleases God, because she has no care for this age. Whom, then, does she wish to please who has no husband and yet thinks about the things of the world? Will not the married woman begin to be preferred to her, since by thinking about worldly things she at least pleases her husband, while this one strives to please neither a husband, whom she does not have, nor God?

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:34: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- The bracketing in the OCR around 'What is divided is not one' is garbled; translated by sense.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.34 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:168–169; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-34).

## 1 Corinthians 7:35

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-35
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:169
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Paul advises, not compels; his counsel is more useful than their wishes.

### Latin text

[Porro] hoc ad utilitatem uestram dico, non ut laqueum iniciam uobis, sed ad id quod honestum est. [Ne] necessitatem illis uide[re]tur imponere, dicit se eos quid illis expediat commonere. simul attende[ndum] quia, si hoc illis utile erat quod apostolus suadebat, illut minus utile erat quod illi uolebant.

### English translation (Claude)

"[Moreover] I say this for your benefit, not to cast a snare on you, but for what is honourable." So that he would not seem to impose necessity on them, he says that he is reminding them what is to their advantage. At the same time it should be noted that, if what the apostle urged was useful to them, what they themselves wanted was less useful.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:35: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.35 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:169; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-35).

## 1 Corinthians 7:36

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-36
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:169–170
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A father should not stop a daughter who wishes to marry, lest she fall into immorality.

### Latin text

Si quis autem turpe[m se uideri] existimat supra uirgine sua, quod sit superadulta. Turpis uideri poterit, si cupientem uirginem suam nubere non permittat, et illa fuerit fornicata. Et ita oportet fieri quod uult, faciat, non peccat, si nubet. Si ita necesse fuerit propter filiae uoluntatem; nam parentes quidem usque ad legitimam aetatem custodire debent et docere quod melius est: si autem illa noluerit, faciant quod necesse est.

### English translation (Claude)

"But if anyone thinks [that he seems] shameful regarding his virgin, because she is past her prime." He could seem shameful if he did not allow his virgin who wishes to marry to do so, and she committed sexual immorality. "And if it must be so, let him do what he wishes; he does not sin if she marries." If it is necessary because of the daughter's will; for parents ought to guard them until the lawful age and teach what is better: but if she does not wish it, let them do what is necessary.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:36: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Pelagius takes 'his virgin' as a man's daughter.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.36 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:169–170; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-36).

## 1 Corinthians 7:37

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-37
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:170
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A father whose daughter agrees to virginity does well to keep her so.

### Latin text

Nam qui statuit in corde suo [ firmus, non] habens necessitatem, potestatem autem habet suae uoluntatis et hoc iudicauit in corde suo, seruare uirginem suam, bene facit. Ille firmus statuit, cuius puellae consensus patris firmauerit uoluntatem, et non illum conpellit filiae necessitas facere quod nolebat, sicut illum de quo supra locutus est.

### English translation (Claude)

"For he who has determined in his heart, [being firm, not] having necessity, but has power over his own will, and has judged this in his heart, to keep his virgin, does well." He has determined firmly whose girl's consent has strengthened her father's will, and the daughter's need does not compel him to do what he did not want, like the one of whom he spoke above.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:37: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.37 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:170; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-37).

## 1 Corinthians 7:38

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-38
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:170
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Giving a virgin in marriage is good, keeping her a virgin better.

### Latin text

Igitur et qui matrimonio iungit uirginem suam, bene facit, et qui non iungit, melius facit. Ita concludit uirginum causam, ut eas faciat in omnibus meliores. unde prudentibus semper meliora et perfectiora sectanda sunt, quia nec in saecularibus et [in] caducis norunt mediocribus esse contenti.

### English translation (Claude)

"So then, he who gives his virgin in marriage does well, and he who does not give her does better." Thus he concludes the matter of virgins, so as to make them better in every way. Hence the prudent must always follow what is better and more perfect, since even in worldly and perishable things they do not know how to be content with the middling.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:38: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.38 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:170; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-38).

## 1 Corinthians 7:39

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-39
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:170
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: A widow is free from the marriage bond and may marry a second time, but only a believer.

### Latin text

Mulier uincta est [leg?], quanto tempore uir eius uiuit. Hi[n]c incipit de digamis et uiduis. Quod si dormierit uir eius, liberata est ; cui uult nubat, tantum in domino. Secundum legem libera facta est a uinculo coniugali. quod si nec tunc se continere uoluerit, conceduntur illi etiam secundae nuptiae, tantum ut infideli uel infidelium ritu non nubat.

### English translation (Claude)

"A wife is bound [by the law] as long as her husband lives." Here he begins on the twice married and on widows. "But if her husband has fallen asleep, she is free; let her marry whom she wishes, only in the Lord." According to the law she has been made free from the bond of marriage. But if even then she does not wish to contain herself, a second marriage is also granted her, only she must not marry an unbeliever or by the rite of unbelievers.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:39: quotation, high confidence
- Rom 7:2: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- '[By the law]' is printed with a query in the OCR ('[leg?]'). Second marriage is granted, as a concession, only after the husband's death.

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.39 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:170; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-39).

## 1 Corinthians 7:40

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-1/#p-7-40
- Source: Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:170–171
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-09-27

Summary: Wife, widow and virgin are happy, happier and happiest; Paul's advice is from the Spirit.

### Latin text

Beatior autem erit, si sic permanserit. Beata habens maritum, si custodiat iustitiam: beatior uidua, quia minore labore maius inueniet castitatis praemium: beatissima uirgo, quae sine labore ad summum praemium poterit peruenire. Secundum meum consilium: puto [autem quod] et ego spiritum dei habeo. Ne meum consilium quasi humanum contemnatis.

### English translation (Claude)

"But she will be happier if she remains so." Happy is she who has a husband, if she keeps righteousness: happier the widow, because with less labour she will find a greater reward of chastity: happiest the virgin, who without labour will be able to reach the highest reward. "According to my advice: [but] I think that I too have the Spirit of God." So that you do not despise my advice as merely human.

### Scripture references

- 1 Cor 7:40: quotation, high confidence

### Citation (SBL)

Pelagius, Comm. 1 Cor. 7.40 (Souter, Texts and Studies 9.2 2:170–171; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/p/pelagius-expositiones-1-corinthios/7-40).