John Calvin 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)

Therefore he that giveth in marriage. Here we have the conclusion from both parts of the statement, in which he states, in a few words, that parents are free from blame if they give away their daughters in marriage, while he at the same time declares that they do better if they keep them at home unmarried.

You are not, however, to understand that celibacy is here preferred to marriage, apart from the exception expressed a little earlier. For if power is lacking in the daughter, the father acts very badly if he endeavors to keep her from marriage, and would no longer be a father to her, but a cruel tyrant.

The sum of the whole discussion amounts to this—that celibacy is better than marriage because it has more liberty, so that persons can serve God with greater freedom; but at the same time, no necessity should be imposed that would make it unlawful for individuals to marry if they choose; and further, that marriage itself is a remedy appointed by God for our infirmity, which all who are not endowed with the gift of continence should use.

Every person of sound judgment will join with me in acknowledging and confessing that the whole of Paul’s doctrine on this point is contained in these three points.