What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 7:25? Now about virgins “Now concerning virgins” signals Paul is answering a specific question from the Corinthian believers (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:1). • By “virgins” he means unmarried believers—both men and women—who have never been married (see Revelation 14:4 for the use of “virgins” to denote those unstained by sexual relations). • Paul treats singleness as a valid, honorable state, echoing Jesus’ words about those “who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:12). • The phrase reminds us that Scripture addresses real-life issues of God’s people; no stage of life is overlooked. I have no command from the Lord Here Paul distinguishes between a direct saying of Jesus found in the Gospels (as in 1 Corinthians 7:10) and a matter on which Jesus left no recorded command. • This is not a denial of inspiration. Paul simply notes Christ gave no specific teaching on this subject during His earthly ministry (compare John 21:25). • By acknowledging what Jesus did and did not explicitly command, Paul upholds the authority of Christ’s words while preparing to apply God-given wisdom to a new situation. but I give a judgment Paul proceeds to render Spirit-guided counsel (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:6, “I say this as a concession, not as a command”). • “Judgment” here means a reliable, apostolic ruling—similar to the discernment exercised by the Jerusalem council in Acts 15:28. • The Church needs such judgments when explicit commands are absent; they provide practical guidance while honoring Scripture’s principles. as one who by the Lord’s mercy Paul credits God’s mercy for his ability to speak on the matter (1 Timothy 1:12, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me”). • Mercy underscores dependence on divine grace, not personal brilliance. • The phrase matches his earlier admission: “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). • Every pastoral word must flow from the mercy first shown to the speaker. is trustworthy Because of Christ’s mercy, Paul’s counsel is reliable (1 Corinthians 4:2, “it is required of stewards that they be found faithful”). • His faithfulness has been proven through suffering and service (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). • The Spirit inspired Paul’s writings (2 Peter 3:15-16), so believers can accept this judgment with confidence equal to any biblical instruction. summary 1 Corinthians 7:25 shows Paul addressing a new question—whether the never-married should wed—without a direct quote from Jesus. He humbly admits the Lord gave no specific command but, under inspiration and empowered by mercy, delivers a trustworthy apostolic ruling. The verse models how Christ’s servants handle areas where Scripture records no explicit word from Jesus: they rely on grace, speak faithfully, and provide guidance consistent with the whole counsel of God. |
    |