Ambrosiaster : Paul adds that he has the Spirit of God in order to show that his advice is reliable. — COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES Pelagius : Happy is the woman who has a husband. Happier still is the widow who can remain chaste with little effort on her part. But happiest of all is the virgin, who can attain to the highest prize without struggling. — COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 7 Severian of Gabala : What Paul means is that she is blessed if she marries and has a husband to protect her, but she is more blessed if, for the sake of piety, she refuses marriage and devotes herself entirely to God. — PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH Shepherd of Hermas : And again I asked him, saying, "Sir, since you have been so patient in listening to me, will you show me this also?" "Speak," said he. And I said, "If a wife or husband die, and the widower or widow marry, does he or she commit sin?" "There is no sin in marrying again," said he; "but if they remain unmarried, they gain greater honour and glory with the Lord; but if they marry, they do not sin. Guard, therefore, your chastity and purity, and you will live to God." — Shepherd of Hermas, Commandment 4 Theodoret of Cyrus : Note that Paul does not say that a woman who contracts a second marriage will be unhappy. Rather he says that she will be happier if she remains single. It is all a matter of degree. — COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 212