Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.
Ver. 17. Let them be only thine own.] Sint, vel erunt; Let them be, or they shall be. It is both an exhortation and a promise; q.d., Far be it from thee to be a pander to thine own bed, as the Lituanians, of whom Maginus relates that they have their connubii adiutores, their coadjutors in wedlock, and prize them far above all their acquaintance. God also will bless thee with an honest wife, that shall be true to thy bed, and not obtrude upon thee children to keep that are not thine. St Paul gives charge, "that no man go beyond, or defraud his brother in the matter". - that is, in re venerea, in the matter of the marriage bed, as some a expound it, but that "every one possess his vessel," - that is, say they, his wife, that "weaker vessel" - in sanctification and honour. 1Th 4:4-6
a Jerome, Chrysost., Heinsius.