As our brother David Bercot says if you apply the scriptures in the New Testament very seriously and very literally you will come to the same conclusion that the early church had. I don't have an early Christian source that speaks on it but I know if read in context the scripture speaks on a if the father feels that he isn't being fair to his daughter by witholding her from marriage and keeping her a virgin.
If he doesn't think it's right or that he isn't being fair to her by keeping her a virgin, if she is past the flower of her youth he should go ahead and let her marry. He doesn't sin by doing so.
Hey Justin thanks for the response. The translation I have translated if a father is acting unbecomingly and I never understood it.
You are welcome! Yea my translation (nkjv) says "if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus is must be, let him do as he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry." Since behaving unbecomingly or behaving improperly are ambiguous terms context has to be used to understand what is being spoken of and it's speaking of the choice a father has of whether to give his daughter in marriage or to withold her from marriage.
Some fathers may feel they are behaving wrongly against their daughters by choosing to withhold them from marriage knowing that it is better for the kingdom if they remain single and serve the Lord. If the daughter really wants to get married and the father is conflicted about it he should let her marry. But if he is able to control himself from that and stands firm to keep her a virgin for the kingdom of heaven's sake that is the better rout to take.
The passage primarily hilights the authority fathers have over their daughters to give them in marriage or not and it helps them in making that choice about how they will raise their daughter. Society's culture is different from the kingdom of God's culture so this scripture isn't really understood or practiced much because most people do not believe or understand the Bible's stance on man's headship.
But in a family of disciples of Jesus and for men who desire to lead their family and their daughters in the way of godliness this scripture is relevant.
Woah, I confess that is very quickening (convicting) to my soul! The idea of choosing not to have your daughter marry for the kingdom is something I never have heard of before. Like you said it is very counter cultural.
Thank you Justin have not seen this scripture in this way before.
You are very welcome Sean! That is good to hear that you are convicted by it. It is a great thing when truth of God's word pierces our very soul and brings change and life. I'm thankful that I could help! Grace be with you be with you. Amen.
