Have we no right to take along a wife who is a believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 5. It appears certain, from the testimony of the fathers, that Saint Paul was not in the state of wedlock. S. Jerom informs us that the apostle is here speaking of such holy women who, according to the Jewish custom, supplied their teachers with the necessaries of life, as we see was done to Christ himself. It is evident from ancient records that this was a very prevalent custom in Judea, and therefore a cause of no scandal; but to the Gentiles this custom was unknown, and therefore lest it might prove a cause of scandal to any, Saint Paul did not allow any woman to follow him as a companion. Tertul. denies, with Saint Augustine and S. Jerom, that Saint Paul is here speaking of his wife. Estius, Calmet.—A woman, a sister. [2] Some erroneous translators have corrupted this text, by rendering it, a sister, a wife; whereas it is certain, Saint Paul had no wife, (chapter 7 verse 7. 8) and that he only speaks of such devout women, as according to the custom of the Jewish nation, waited upon the preachers of the gospel, and supplied them with necessaries. Challoner.—And to what end could he talk of burthening the Corinthians with providing for his wife, when he himself clearly affirmeth that he was single? Calmet. 7 verse 7. and 8. This all the Greek fathers affirm, with Saint Augustine de op. Monach. c. iv. Saint Jerome adv. Jovin. c. xiv. and so forth and so forth