The verse begins in Greek with words meaning “But if,” suggesting that Paul is about to move to another question. He may be referring to a situation that has already arisen at Corinth, perhaps similar to that implied in verse 5, except that the couple in question in verses 36-38 are not yet married.

Thinks (Good News Bible‘s “feels”) involves a judgment or decision rather than emotion.

Not … properly is an adjective that is related to “good order” in verse 35. This phrase may be expressed as “acting in a way he should not” or “behaving in a wrong way toward.”

His betrothed (“the young woman,” Good News Bible) is literally “his virgin”—a rather strange expression, especially if a daughter is meant as in explanation (A) above. However, “his virgin” could mean “his beloved” or “his sweetheart.”

The Greek does not tell us whether the subject of are strong is the passions of the man or of the woman. The problem is that in Greek an adjective is used which, if applied to a woman, commonly means that she is beyond the prime in age—namely that she is no longer young. However, the word may also be applied to a person, especially a man, who has strong sexual impulses. The situation is similar to that described in verse 9.

The thought of the last part of verse 36, let them marry …, is similar to that of verse 28a but is more fully developed.

The clause it is no sin is literally “(he) does not sin.”

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .