Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
The Corinthians in their letter had asked questions tending to disparage marriage, and implied that it was better to break off marriage with an unbeliever.
Good - i:e., expedient, because of "the present distress;" i:e., the unsettled state of the world, and the likelihood of persecutions tearing asunder marriage-ties. Hebrews 13:4 opposes Romish notions of superior sanctity in celibacy. Another reason why celibacy may be a matter of Christian expediency is (1 Corinthians 7:34-35), 'that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.' But these are exceptional cases, and in exceptional times.