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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} concerning {G4012} virgins {G3933} I have {G2192} no {G3756} commandment {G2003} of the Lord {G2962}: yet {G1161} I give {G1325} my judgment {G1106}, as {G5613} one that hath obtained mercy {G1653} of {G5259} the Lord {G2962} to be {G1511} faithful {G4103}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now the question about the unmarried: I do not have a command from the Lord, but I offer an opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is worthy to be trusted.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: but I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be trustworthy.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 7:25, the Apostle Paul addresses the topic of virgins, or unmarried individuals, clarifying that his counsel on this matter does not come as a direct command from the Lord. Instead, he offers his reasoned judgment, grounding its reliability in his identity as one who has received God's mercy and has been made faithful by Him, thereby setting the stage for his subsequent detailed guidance on singleness and marriage within the Corinthian church.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Chapter 7 of 1 Corinthians is a comprehensive response from Paul to specific questions posed by the Corinthian believers regarding marriage, celibacy, and sexual ethics. Prior to this verse, Paul has discussed the sanctity of marriage, marital duties, and the conditions under which temporary celibacy within marriage might be permissible, as seen in passages like [1 Corinthians 7:1-7](/1_corinthians/7-1-7 "1 Corinthians 7:1-7 - Paul's Counsel on Marriage"). With [1 Corinthians 7:25](/1_corinthians/7-25 "1 Corinthians 7:25 - Paul's Judgment on Virgins"), Paul transitions to addressing those who have never been married, distinguishing his forthcoming advice for them from direct divine commands he has previously given on other matters, such as divorce in [1 Corinthians 7:10](/1_corinthians/7-10 "1 Corinthians 7:10 - Paul's Commandment on Divorce"). This verse serves as an introduction to his more extensive guidance on singleness that follows in [1 Corinthians 7:26-40](/1_corinthians/7-26-40 "1 Corinthians 7:26-40 - Paul's Counsel on Singleness").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling port renowned for its diverse population and rampant immorality, leading to the proverb "to Corinthianize" meaning to live a dissolute life. The Corinthian church, composed of both Jewish and Gentile converts, faced significant challenges in applying Christian ethics within this pagan environment. There were likely pressures from the surrounding culture to conform to its sexual norms, but also possibly ascetic tendencies within the church itself, where some might have viewed celibacy as inherently superior or even mandatory for spiritual devotion. Paul's counsel navigates these extremes, providing practical, Spirit-led wisdom for believers to live faithfully in a morally complex society, often under the shadow of eschatological urgency as hinted at in [1 Corinthians 7:26](/1_corinthians/7-26 "1 Corinthians 7:26 - The Present Distress").

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Corinthians. Firstly, it highlights **Apostolic Authority and Discernment**, as Paul carefully delineates between a direct "commandment of the Lord" and his own "judgment," demonstrating a nuanced understanding of how divine truth is communicated and applied. This distinction is crucial for understanding the nature of biblical authority and inspired counsel. Secondly, the phrase "as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful" underscores the theme of **Faithfulness as a Gift of Mercy**. Paul's reliability and qualification to offer such counsel are not self-derived but are a direct result of God's undeserved grace, a theme echoed in Paul's own testimony of God's grace in his life (e.g., [1 Timothy 1:12-16](/1_timothy/1-12-16 "1 Timothy 1:12-16 - Paul's Testimony of Grace")). Finally, the verse introduces the broader theme of **Guidance for Unmarried Believers**, setting the stage for Paul's practical advice aimed at helping single believers live lives of undivided devotion to the Lord, as he elaborates in [1 Corinthians 7:32-35](/1_corinthians/7-32-35 "1 Corinthians 7:32-35 - Undivided Devotion").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **commandment (Greek, _epitagḗ_):** This word signifies an authoritative injunction, a decree, or a direct order. By stating "I have no commandment of the Lord," Paul explicitly clarifies that his subsequent advice regarding virgins is not a universal, binding divine law or a direct instruction received from Jesus Christ, unlike other matters where he does convey such commands (e.g., [1 Corinthians 7:10](/1_corinthians/7-10 "1 Corinthians 7:10 - Paul's Commandment on Divorce")).
* **judgment (Greek, _gnṓmē_):** Derived from a word meaning "to know," _gnṓmē_ refers to a reasoned opinion, counsel, or a deliberate resolution. It is more than a mere personal preference; it implies a well-considered, Spirit-informed discernment from an apostle, given with spiritual authority, though not a direct divine edict for all circumstances.
* **obtained mercy (Greek, _eleéō_):** This verb means "to compassionate" or "to have pity on," specifically in the context of receiving divine grace. Paul's ability to be faithful and trustworthy in giving his "judgment" is presented as a direct consequence of God's undeserved favor and compassion bestowed upon him.
* **faithful (Greek, _pistós_):** This adjective can mean trustworthy, reliable, or believing. Here, it describes Paul's character and the quality of his counsel. His faithfulness is not a self-achieved virtue but a gracious endowment from the Lord, which qualifies him to offer reliable guidance to the church.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord":** Paul begins by addressing the specific group of unmarried individuals (both male and female) in the Corinthian church. He immediately qualifies his upcoming counsel by stating unequivocally that he has not received a direct, explicit command from the Lord Jesus on this particular issue. This sets his advice apart from universal divine laws.
* **"yet I give my judgment":** Despite the absence of a direct divine command, Paul does not remain silent. He offers his "judgment," which is his Spirit-informed, reasoned opinion or counsel. This indicates that even without a direct command, an apostle's wisdom, guided by the Holy Spirit, holds significant weight and is intended to provide beneficial guidance to believers.
* **"as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful":** Paul grounds the credibility and reliability of his "judgment" in his personal experience. He asserts that his capacity to be trustworthy and to provide sound counsel is a direct result of God's mercy upon him. His faithfulness is not a self-generated quality but a divine gift, which qualifies him to speak authoritatively on matters of Christian living.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its message effectively. **Apostolic Self-Attestation** is prominent, as Paul validates his counsel by appealing to his own spiritual standing and experience of God's grace, thereby establishing his **ethos** or credibility. There is a clear **Distinction/Contrast** drawn between "commandment of the Lord" and "my judgment," which highlights the nuanced nature of apostolic authority and the different levels of counsel being offered. This **juxtaposition** clarifies the scope and binding nature of his advice. Furthermore, the phrase "as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful" functions as a **Parenthetical Clause**, offering an immediate justification and foundation for his "judgment," adding depth and weight to his statement.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Paul's careful distinction between a divine command and his apostolic judgment in [1 Corinthians 7:25](/1_corinthians/7-25 "1 Corinthians 7:25 - Paul's Nuanced Counsel") reveals a profound theological understanding of biblical authority. While all Scripture is divinely inspired and authoritative, not every statement carries the same force as a direct, universal divine injunction for all times and places. This allows for Spirit-led wisdom to address specific contextual needs and questions, while still being entirely grounded in the apostle's God-given faithfulness and insight. It underscores that God's guidance comes in various forms—direct commands, principles, and Spirit-informed counsel—all intended to lead believers into greater devotion and faithfulness to Him. This approach encourages discernment, valuing both explicit commands and the wise counsel of those made faithful by God's mercy.

* [1 Corinthians 7:6](/1_corinthians/7-6 "1 Corinthians 7:6 - Paul's Concession, Not Command")
* [2 Corinthians 8:8](/2_corinthians/8-8 "2 Corinthians 8:8 - Paul's Test of Sincerity")
* [1 Timothy 1:12](/1_timothy/1-12 "1 Timothy 1:12 - Paul's Thanksgiving for Faithfulness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 7:25 offers valuable insights for contemporary believers concerning the nature of spiritual guidance and the source of true authority. It challenges us to cultivate discernment, distinguishing between universal biblical commands that apply to all believers in all contexts, and Spirit-led wisdom that addresses specific situations or cultural nuances. While Paul clearly states his advice on virgins is not a direct command, he presents it as trustworthy counsel from an apostle made faithful by God's mercy. This encourages us to prayerfully consider and value the guidance offered by mature, God-fearing spiritual leaders in our own lives, understanding that their wisdom is often a product of God's transformative grace and faithfulness in their lives. Ultimately, this verse calls us to live with integrity and devotion in whatever state we find ourselves, recognizing that our capacity for faithfulness, whether in singleness or marriage, is a gift from the Lord, enabling us to serve Him without distraction.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can I better discern between direct biblical commands and Spirit-led wisdom when making decisions in my life?**
* **In what ways has God's mercy equipped me or enabled me to be faithful in my personal life, relationships, or ministry?**
* **How does Paul's example of offering "judgment" as one "obtained mercy... to be faithful" influence my approach to seeking or giving spiritual counsel today?**

### FAQ
**What does "concerning virgins" mean in this context?**

Answer: In 1 Corinthians 7:25, "virgins" (Greek: _parthénos_) refers to unmarried individuals, encompassing both men and women who have not yet entered into marriage. Paul uses this term to address a specific demographic within the Corinthian church who were seeking guidance on their marital status and how it related to their spiritual devotion. His subsequent advice in the chapter (e.g., [1 Corinthians 7:26-40](/1_corinthians/7-26-40 "1 Corinthians 7:26-40 - Paul's Counsel on Singleness")) is directed towards these individuals, offering practical wisdom for living a life consecrated to the Lord in their unmarried state.

**Why does Paul distinguish between "commandment of the Lord" and "my judgment"?**

Answer: Paul makes this crucial distinction to clarify the source and nature of his counsel. For certain matters, such as the prohibition of divorce, he explicitly states that he is delivering a direct "commandment of the Lord" ([1 Corinthians 7:10](/1_corinthians/7-10 "1 Corinthians 7:10 - Paul's Commandment on Divorce")). However, regarding the specific issue of virgins and singleness, he indicates that he has no such explicit, direct command from Jesus. Instead, he offers his "judgment" (Greek: _gnṓmē_), which is a Spirit-informed, well-reasoned opinion or counsel from an apostle. This demonstrates Paul's integrity and spiritual discernment, showing that while all apostolic teaching is inspired and authoritative, not every piece of advice carries the same force as a universal, binding decree for all times and places. It highlights the Holy Spirit's guidance in applying timeless principles to specific, contextual situations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Corinthians 7:25 directly addresses the practicalities of singleness and apostolic authority, its underlying truth points profoundly to Christ as the ultimate source of all wisdom, mercy, and faithfulness. Paul's capacity to give sound "judgment" is not inherent but is a direct result of "mercy of the Lord"—a mercy supremely embodied and extended to humanity through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ Himself is the perfect example of faithfulness ([Hebrews 3:2](/hebrews/3-2 "Hebrews 3:2 - Christ's Faithfulness")) and the very "commandment" of God to humanity, calling all to believe in Him and love one another ([John 13:34](/john/13-34 "John 13:34 - The New Commandment")). Paul, as an apostle, functions as an instrument of Christ's ongoing work, empowered by the Spirit to build up the church ([Ephesians 4:11-12](/ephesians/4-11-12 "Ephesians 4:11-12 - Equipping the Saints")). Thus, even in his nuanced advice, Paul's ultimate aim is to guide believers to live lives of undivided devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the sum and substance of all Christian faithfulness and the ultimate goal of all spiritual counsel ([Colossians 3:17](/colossians/3-17 "Colossians 3:17 - All for Christ")). The "faithfulness" Paul exhibits and calls others to is a reflection of Christ's own unwavering faithfulness to His people.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 7:6

But I speak this by permission, [and] not of commandment.

1 Corinthians 4:2

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

1 Corinthians 7:40

But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

2 Corinthians 8:8

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

2 Corinthians 8:10

And herein I give [my] advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

1 Corinthians 7:12

But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.

1 Corinthians 7:36

¶ But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of [her] age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.