Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Corinthians 7:38

"So then both he that giveth his own virgin [daughter] in marriage doeth well; and he that giveth her not in marriage shall do better." — 1 Corinthians 7:38 (ASV)

So then . . . — A better translation is: So then he who gives his daughter in marriage does well, and (not “but”) he who gives her not shall do better.

It is worth noticing how, in the case of the one who gives his daughter in marriage, we have the present tense “does well”—as if the good he did began and ended there. In contrast, for the one who does not give her in marriage, we find the future tense “shall do” (as also in 1 Corinthians 7:37). This future tense suggests that the good result of his action continues as long as the daughter remains with her parent.

This passage clearly shows how St. Paul is not contrasting right and wrong, but rather comparative degrees of what is expedient.

Throughout this passage, the Apostle takes for granted the parent’s absolute control over the child, in accordance with the principles of both Greek and Jewish law. Therefore, no advice is given to the young maiden herself, but only to her father.