‘So then both he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, and he who gives her not in marriage will do better.'
‘Gives in marriage.' The verb is gamizo which is an intensive form of gameo - ‘to marry' - and means ‘give in marriage', but can also mean ‘to marry'. It could thus be translated, ‘he who marries his own virgin does well and he who does not marry her does better.' However Paul's change of verb suggest the translation above is correct. But whichever we use the principle remains. It is good for her to be married, it is even better if, through her full dedication to the Lord, she freely of her own choice decides not to marry so that she can devote her life totally to his service. No pressure must be put on her, either by companion or father. They must behave nobly and honourably towards her. For it to be good the choice must be hers. In the end for both men and women marriage is good but the ability to live a life of total dedication to the Lord in order to serve Him faithfully is better, conditionally of course on it being maintainable without sin directly resulting.