But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remains, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
All Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 7:29 Go To 1 Corinthians 7
Tertullian of Carthage
AD 220
-it will be His prerogative to fix the limit Who had once been diffuse in His permission; His to gather, Who once scattered; His to cut down the tree, Who planted it; His to reap the harvest, Who sowed the seed; His to declare, "It remaineth that they who have wives be as though they had none".
both permitted divorce, which indeed He never absolutely prohibited, and confirmed (the sanctity) of marriage, by first forbidding its dissolution; and, if separation had taken place, by wishing the nuptial bond to be resumed by reconciliation. But what reasons does (the apostle) allege for continence? Because "the time is short.".
and again, "This I say, brethren, that the time is short".
Why so? Because he had laid down the premiss, saying, "The time is wound up.".
If, then he shows plainly that even wives themselves are so to be had as if they be not had.
Were detestable before Him? "The time "says (the apostle), "is compressed.
It remaineth that they who have wives.
"It follows that it is evil to have contact with her; for nothing is contrary to good except evil. And accordingly (he says), "It remains, that both they who have wives so be as if they have not".
), impose by this time a final bridle upon the flesh, no longer obliquely calling us away from marriage, but openly; since now more (than ever) "the time is become wound up"
