Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 7:25
Now about virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian congregation while responding to their specific inquiries about marriage and singleness. He speaks during a period of pastoral instruction aimed at clarifying conduct for believers navigating a particular historical circumstance.
The words — ἐπιταγὴν (epitagēn) translates as a commandment or authoritative order, and ἔχω (echō) means I have. The text states Paul possesses no direct divine command regarding virgins, but instead offers his own assessment.
The thread — This distinction between direct revelation and pastoral counsel recurs in 1 Corinthians 7:6 and 1 Corinthians 7:40. It mirrors the accountability standard outlined in 1 Corinthians 4:2.
Why it lands — The passage requires readers to separate binding divine mandates from trusted pastoral guidance. It demands practical discernment when evaluating instruction that carries weight through mercy rather than explicit command.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 7:6 I say this as a concession, not as a command.
- 1 Corinthians 4:2 Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
- 1 Corinthians 7:40 In my judgment, however, she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.
- 2 Corinthians 8:8 I am not giving a command, but I am testing the sincerity of your love through the earnestness of others.
- 1 Corinthians 7:12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If a brother has an unbelieving wife and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her.
- Psalms 78:63 Fire consumed His young men, and their maidens were left without wedding songs.
- 1 Corinthians 7:10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.
- 1 Corinthians 7:28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
- 1 Corinthians 7:34 and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the work of the Lord, how she can be holy in both body and spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world, how she can please her husband.
- 1 Corinthians 7:36 However, if someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his betrothed, and if she is beyond her youth and they ought to marry, let him do as he wishes; he is not sinning; they should get married.