7:1-2 Is Paul teaching here that marriage is inferior?
7:1-2 Is Paul teaching here that marriage is inferior?
No, Paul is teaching here that rather than be involved in illicit sex it is better to marry.
To touch a woman (V1) is a euphemism in scripture for sexual intercourse (CP Gen 20:6; Ruth 2:9; Pr 6:29).
Paul personally preferred the single state but he is not advocating it for others. This is made clear in 1Cor 7:2 where he acknowledges that because of the potential for single believers to fall into sexual immorality, it is better that they marry (CP also V7-9). See also comments on 1Cor 7:7-9.