1 Corinthians 7 25

1 Corinthians 7:25 kjv

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.

1 Corinthians 7:25 nkjv

Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy.

1 Corinthians 7:25 niv

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.

1 Corinthians 7:25 esv

Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy.

1 Corinthians 7:25 nlt

Now regarding your question about the young women who are not yet married. I do not have a command from the Lord for them. But the Lord in his mercy has given me wisdom that can be trusted, and I will share it with you.

1 Corinthians 7 verses

1 Corinthians 7 25 Meaning

The Apostle Paul addresses a question raised by the Corinthians concerning the state of virgins. In this specific verse, he states that he has no commandment from the Lord regarding them but gives his own opinion, which is presented as trustworthy because it is rooted in his experience and reliance on the Lord's mercy.

1 Corinthians 7 25 Context

This verse appears within 1 Corinthians chapter 7, a chapter largely dedicated to addressing questions posed by the Corinthian church regarding marriage, celibacy, and divorce. The specific context of verse 25 is Paul's response to inquiries about the marital status of virgins, particularly in relation to the pressures and turmoil of their present time (implied to be around the first-century persecution and difficult circumstances). The broader Corinthian church was dealing with issues of division, immorality, and confusion about various aspects of Christian life. Paul, as the apostle, provides guidance rooted in both apostolic authority and his understanding of God’s will, discerning when to cite direct commands from Christ and when to offer his own considered counsel, strengthened by his personal faith and experience.

1 Corinthians 7 25 Word Analysis

• Περὶ (peri): Concerning, about, regarding.
• δὲ (de): But, and. A connective particle indicating a transition or contrast.
• τῆς (tēs): The (feminine genitive singular definite article).
• παρθένου (parhenou): Virgin (genitive singular). Refers to an unmarried woman.
• πρόσταγμα (prostagma): Commandment, precept, ordinance.
• οὐκ (ouk): Not.
• ἔχω (echō): I have.
• ἀπὸ (apo): From.
• τοῦ (tou): The (genitive singular definite article).
• Κυρίου (Kuriou): Lord (genitive singular). Refers to Jesus Christ.
• δὲ (de): But.
• ὑμῖν (hymin): To you (dative plural pronoun).
• γνώμην (gnōmēn): Opinion, judgment, thought (accusative singular). Here it denotes Paul's personal judgment or counsel.
• δίδωμι (didōmi): I give.
• ὡς (hōs): As, like.
• ἐλεήμων (eleēmōn): Merciful, compassionate (nominative singular adjective, masculine, though it can be understood neuter here describing his status). This refers to God's mercy on Paul.
• ὑπάρχων (uparchōn): Being, existing, possessing (present participle, nominative singular masculine). Emphasizes his present state or possession.

Group Analysis:

• "Περὶ δὲ τῆς παρθένου οὐκ ἔχω προστάγμα ἀπὸ τοῦ Κυρίου" (Peri de tēs parhenou ouk echō prostagma apo tou Kuriou): This entire phrase establishes the specific point being addressed – the absence of a direct command from Jesus concerning virgins. It sets the stage for Paul’s subsequent personal counsel.
• "δὲ ὑμῖν γνώμην δίδωμι" (de hymin gnōmēn didōmi): Paul declares his intention to provide his own "opinion" or "judgment" to them. The "but" (de) indicates this is a step taken because there is no direct divine command.
• "ὡς ἐλεήμων ὑπάρχων" (hōs eleēmōn uparchōn): This is a crucial qualifying phrase. Paul explains the basis of his "opinion": it's offered as someone who has received God's mercy, implying a humble, faithful, and divinely guided perspective. It’s not a personal whim but a seasoned counsel grounded in God’s dealings with him.

1 Corinthians 7 25 Bonus Section

The phrase "as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy" (translated here more directly from the Greek hōs eleēmōn uparchōn) is significant. It shows Paul’s humility and dependence on God. He isn't presenting himself as infallible, but as a trustworthy messenger whose counsel is reliable because he himself has experienced God’s mercy and is, therefore, sensitive to God’s will. This undergirds the weight of his non-commanded advice. It suggests that God’s mercy is the foundation upon which trustworthy spiritual leadership and counsel are built. In practical application, believers can discern the counsel of leaders by examining whether their words and life reflect humble dependence on God's mercy and faithfulness to His Word, rather than presumption or self-will.

1 Corinthians 7 25 Commentary

Paul clearly differentiates between direct commandments from Jesus and his own divinely-inspired counsel. He acknowledges that Jesus did not issue specific directives concerning the state of virgins, perhaps because the primary concern was with the general principles of Christian conduct within marriage and singleness as pertaining to the challenging times. Therefore, Paul offers his "opinion" (gnōmēn). This opinion is presented not as an authoritative decree but as wise, practical advice derived from his own spiritual experience and the grace of God ("as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy"). He doesn’t claim to be speaking a new command from Christ but shares a perspective that he believes aligns with the Lord’s heart and will for the Corinthians. This encourages believers to weigh his advice considering his faithful service and reliance on God's mercy. It is advice meant to foster holiness and undistracted devotion to the Lord.