1 Corinthians 7:9

But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn (KJV)

Then: Paul's original intent with the wording here troubles all the commentators. A beginning point of discernment relates to recognition that Paul is replying, and in some instances reiterating, words from a letter he received from the Corinthians. Commentators have to separate the Corinthians' point of view from Paul's point of view. In context, also think about Paul's committment to the original teachings of the Lord's plan in Genesis 2:24, "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife and they shall be one flesh." That plan and gift classified as "good." One other contextual point comes from the placement of Paul's words. He writes to the Corinthians whom he's first chastised for sexual immorality and now points their attention to the two gifts of marriage and celibacy. Even though they await the return of Christ, Paul advises those whose gift is not celibacy and are unable to maintain a state of abstinence to go ahead and marry so that they will avoid judgement and condemnation in eternity (Fee, p. 289- 290 and Thiselton, p 518-519).

Now: The age of authoritarianism versus Paul's teachings of mutual submission led to many years of misunderstanding these verses. Marriage as a gift was ignored while attention was focused on uncontrolled passion as sinful. Celibacy alone became an elevated measure of spiritual maturity. We are blessed that healthier ideas about the sanctity of marriage prevail. His plan to use it to create more perfect people is just as valid as other paths of spiritual growth.

Extra source: The First Epistle to the Corinthians by Gordon D. Fee (Eerdman's 1987) online at http://books.google.com/books?id=XlBp10nUTXAC&dq=Gordon+Fee+Bible+commentator&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=SwLNSu3nA4v6Mf2XlDo&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=12#v=onepage&q=&f=false
The First Epistle to the Corinthians: a commentary on the Greek text by Anthony C. Thiselton (Authentic Media, c2000) online at http://books.google.com/books?id=IHG_DNLpmroC&dq=1st+Corinthian+commentaries&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=W9fQSpC1GILplAfHiumoCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=11&ved=0CB8Q6AEwCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false