In 1 Corinthians 7:27 Paul wrote to engaged men not to break their engagements. Here, however, he points to the possibility of keeping
a young woman as one’s betrothed, without marrying her.
Such an arrangement would perhaps involve the giving of permanent financial support to the betrothed woman. By not marrying her, the man would keep both her and himself free for undivided service to the Lord.
37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well.