Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Corinthians 7:36

36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely towards his virgin, if she passeth the flower of her age , and need so require , let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry .

There is a general and a particular uncomeliness, some things are uncomely with respect to all persons, of such things the Apostle▪ doth not here speak; but of a particular uncomeliness with respect to the circumstances of particular persons. Neither doth uncomely here signifie a meer indecency and unhandsomness, but such a behaviour as suiteth not the general Rules of the Gospel, which judgment is to be ruled by the circumstances of persons, as they more or less desire marriage,

if she be of marriageable years, or rather if she beginneth to grow old,

and be desirous of marriage, so as the parent seeth reason to fear, that if he gives not her in marriage, she will so despose of her self without asking her fathers advice or leave, and be exposed possibly to worse temptations: which two things seem to interpret that term, if need so require.

In such a case as this a Christian parent shall not sin, if he disposeth her in marriage, let her marry to such a person as she loveth, and her parent seeth proper for her. He speaks in the Plural number, because marriage is betwixt two persons. The reason of this determination is, because the Apostle in his former discourse had no where condemned a married estate during the present distress of things, as sinful or unlawful, but only as inexpedient, or not so expedient as a single life during the present distress, he had before determined, v. 9. That it was better to marry than to burn. Now no inexpediency of a thing can balance what is plainly sinful. If therefore the case be such, that a man or woman must marry, or sin, though marriage brings with it more care and trouble, yet it is to be preferred before plain sinning.