1 Corinthians 7:6

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} I speak {G3004} this {G5124} by {G2596} permission {G4774}, and not {G3756} of {G2596} commandment {G2003}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I am giving you this as a suggestion, not as a command.

Berean Standard Bible

I say this as a concession, not as a command.

American Standard Version

But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Corinthians 7:6 clarifies the nature of Paul's preceding counsel regarding marital relations and abstinence, distinguishing between advice given "by permission" (as inspired pastoral counsel or concession) and that which is a direct, binding "commandment" from the Lord. This verse is crucial for understanding the nuanced authority of apostolic instruction and the application of biblical principles to diverse life circumstances, emphasizing Paul's careful delineation of divine mandate versus Spirit-led wisdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's comprehensive response to specific questions posed by the Corinthian church, likely introduced by the phrase "Now concerning..." in [1 Corinthians 7:1](/1_corinthians/7-1 "1 Corinthians 7:1 - Paul's Response to Corinthian Questions"). Immediately prior, in [1 Corinthians 7:3-5](/1_corinthians/7-3-5 "1 Corinthians 7:3-5 - Marital Duties and Abstinence"), Paul has affirmed the mutual sexual duties within marriage and granted allowance for temporary abstinence by mutual consent for dedicated prayer. [1 Corinthians 7:6](/1_corinthians/7-6 "1 Corinthians 7:6 - Paul's Advice on Marriage") serves as a crucial clarification, indicating the precise nature of the authority behind the counsel he has just given and will continue to give throughout the chapter regarding marriage, singleness, and divorce. It sets the interpretive framework for the remainder of [1 Corinthians 7](/1_corinthians/7 "1 Corinthians 7 - Paul's Teaching on Marriage and Singleness"), where Paul sometimes relays a direct command from the Lord (e.g., [1 Corinthians 7:10](/1_corinthians/7-10 "1 Corinthians 7:10 - Command for the Married")) and other times offers his inspired judgment (e.g., [1 Corinthians 7:12](/1_corinthians/7-12 "1 Corinthians 7:12 - Counsel for Mixed Marriages"), [1 Corinthians 7:25](/1_corinthians/7-25 "1 Corinthians 7:25 - Paul's Counsel on Virgins")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a significant Roman provincial capital, notorious for its moral looseness and diverse religious practices, including temple prostitution. The Corinthian church, a young and struggling congregation, faced internal divisions and external pressures from the surrounding pagan culture. It appears that some within the church held ascetic views, possibly advocating for complete sexual abstinence even within marriage, perhaps influenced by philosophical or religious ideas that denigrated the body. Others might have embraced a libertine understanding of Christian freedom. Paul's letter addresses these specific challenges, providing guidance that navigates between these extremes. His careful distinction between "permission" and "commandment" would have been vital for a community grappling with how to apply Christian principles in a complex moral landscape, where the authority of apostolic teaching needed to be clearly understood.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes in [1 Corinthians](/1_corinthians "1 Corinthians - Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians"). Foremost is the theme of **apostolic authority and its nuances**, demonstrating how Paul, as an inspired apostle, carefully distinguishes between direct divine commands and his Spirit-led pastoral counsel or concessions. It also speaks to the theme of **Christian freedom versus regulation**, showing that not every aspect of Christian living is governed by rigid, explicit commands, but often by principles applied with wisdom and discernment. The broader chapter explores **marriage and singleness** as legitimate callings, both to be honored in the Lord. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of **discerning God's will** in practical matters, acknowledging human weakness and the need for grace in applying biblical truth, as seen in Paul's pastoral heart throughout his advice in [1 Corinthians 7](/1_corinthians/7 "1 Corinthians 7 - Paul's Teaching on Marriage and Singleness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **But (Greek, _dé'_):** This primary particle (G1161) serves as an adversative or continuative conjunction. In this context, it signals a slight transition or clarification, introducing Paul's explanation of the nature of his preceding advice. It sets up the contrast that follows.
* **permission (Greek, _syngnṓmē'_):** Derived from a compound meaning "fellow knowledge" (G4774), this word signifies a concession, an allowance, or an opinion given with understanding and empathy. It implies that the advice offered is not a strict obligation but a pastoral allowance, acknowledging human circumstances or limitations.
* **not (Greek, _ou'_):** As the absolute negative particle (G3756), "not" provides a strong and unambiguous denial. It emphatically negates the idea that what Paul is about to state (or has just stated) falls under the category of a direct commandment.
* **commandment (Greek, _epitagḗ'_):** This term (G2003) denotes an injunction, a decree, or an authoritative order. When Paul states his advice is "not of commandment," he is clarifying that it does not carry the weight of a direct, binding, and universal divine mandate, such as those explicitly given by the Lord Jesus Christ.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But I speak this":** Paul, as the apostolic author, is presenting his instruction. "This" refers to the advice he has just given in the preceding verses, particularly concerning the allowance for temporary sexual abstinence within marriage for prayer (cf. [1 Corinthians 7:5](/1_corinthians/7-5 "1 Corinthians 7:5 - Mutual Consent for Abstinence")). He is clarifying the nature of his authority and the weight of his words.
* **"by permission":** This phrase, utilizing the Greek word *syngnṓmē*, indicates that the counsel Paul is offering is a concession, an allowance, or a piece of inspired pastoral advice. It suggests that while the counsel is good and wise, it is not an absolute, universally binding directive that must be followed by all believers in every situation. It implies an understanding of human weakness or practical realities.
* **"and not of commandment":** This directly contrasts the preceding phrase, using the Greek word *epitagḗ*. Paul explicitly states that this particular instruction does not originate as a direct, non-negotiable command from the Lord Himself (like those found in the Mosaic Law or explicitly spoken by Jesus). This distinction is crucial for the Corinthians to understand the varying degrees of divine authority behind different pieces of apostolic instruction.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [1 Corinthians 7:6](/1_corinthians/7-6 "1 Corinthians 7:6 - Paul's Advice on Marriage") is **antithesis**. Paul employs a clear and direct contrast between "permission" (*syngnṓmē*) and "commandment" (*epitagḗ*). This stark juxtaposition serves to precisely delineate the nature of his advice, ensuring that his readers understand that the counsel he is offering, while inspired and authoritative, does not carry the same universal, non-negotiable weight as a direct divine decree. This careful distinction also implicitly reinforces Paul's **apostolic authority** and integrity; he is not claiming a divine command where none exists, but rather offering Spirit-led wisdom appropriate for their specific circumstances.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 Corinthians 7:6](/1_corinthians/7-6 "1 Corinthians 7:6 - Paul's Advice on Marriage") offers profound theological insight into the nature of biblical authority and the application of God's Word. It teaches us that not all divine instruction is monolithic; there are explicit, universal commands from the Lord, and there is also inspired, Spirit-led wisdom and pastoral counsel given by apostles to address specific situations or acknowledge human limitations. This distinction is vital for a healthy hermeneutic, preventing legalism by recognizing areas where grace, freedom, and discernment are paramount, while still upholding the absolute authority of God's revealed truth. It underscores the pastoral heart of Paul, who seeks to guide believers with both truth and grace, recognizing that Christian living involves navigating complexities with wisdom rather than merely adhering to rigid rules.

* [1 Corinthians 7:10](/1_corinthians/7-10 "1 Corinthians 7:10 - Command for the Married")
* [2 Corinthians 8:8](/2_corinthians/8-8 "2 Corinthians 8:8 - Not by Commandment")
* [Philemon 1:8-9](/philemon/1-8-9 "Philemon 1:8-9 - Paul's Appeal, Not Command")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Corinthians 7:6](/1_corinthians/7-6 "1 Corinthians 7:6 - Paul's Advice on Marriage") provides a crucial lens through which to view not only Paul's writings but also our own approach to Christian living and spiritual counsel. It calls us to a mature understanding of biblical truth, recognizing that while some commands are absolute and universally binding, other instructions are Spirit-inspired wisdom, concessions, or principles to be applied with discernment and grace in specific contexts. This verse challenges us to avoid both legalism (treating every piece of advice as an unyielding command) and license (disregarding inspired counsel). It encourages a thoughtful engagement with Scripture, seeking to understand the *nature* of the instruction given, fostering humility in giving advice, and cultivating a spirit of grace in receiving it. Ultimately, it invites us to walk in wisdom, guided by the Holy Spirit, in areas where God provides principles rather than rigid rules, allowing for freedom and personal conviction within the bounds of Christian love and truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I typically discern between a direct biblical command and inspired, practical wisdom in my own life and in the lives of others?**
* **Are there areas in my Christian walk where I might be inadvertently treating a "permission" or "counsel" as an absolute "commandment," or vice-versa, leading to unnecessary burdens or misguided freedom?**
* **How does understanding Paul's careful distinction here impact my approach to giving and receiving spiritual advice from others, including church leaders or mentors?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Paul distinguishing between "permission" and "commandment" here?**

Answer: This distinction is highly significant because it clarifies the nature of Paul's apostolic instruction. When Paul says "by permission" (*syngnṓmē*), he indicates that the preceding advice (likely regarding temporary abstinence in [1 Corinthians 7:5](/1_corinthians/7-5 "1 Corinthians 7:5 - Mutual Consent for Abstinence") or even the broader counsel on marriage and singleness) is not a universal, binding divine command that *must* be followed by all believers in all circumstances. Instead, it is his inspired, pastoral counsel, a concession or allowance given with wisdom for the Corinthians' specific situation. Conversely, "not of commandment" (*epitagḗ*) explicitly states that this particular piece of advice does not carry the absolute, non-negotiable authority of a direct word from the Lord, such as the commands against adultery or murder. This nuance allows for flexibility and discernment in Christian living, preventing legalism while still upholding the authority of Scripture.

**Does this mean Paul's advice is less authoritative than a direct command from the Lord?**

Answer: While [1 Corinthians 7:6](/1_corinthians/7-6 "1 Corinthians 7:6 - Paul's Advice on Marriage") indicates that this specific piece of counsel is not a "commandment" in the same vein as a direct word from Jesus, it does not diminish the overall authority of Paul's inspired writings. Paul, as an apostle, wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit ([2 Timothy 3:16](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God-breathed")). His "permission" or "counsel" is still divinely inspired wisdom, highly authoritative, and beneficial for believers. The distinction primarily serves to guide the Corinthians (and us) on how to apply the instruction: some things are universal mandates, while others are principles or allowances given with pastoral discretion, acknowledging human circumstances and freedom in Christ. Paul himself later states, "I think that I also have the Spirit of God" ([1 Corinthians 7:40](/1_corinthians/7-40 "1 Corinthians 7:40 - Paul's Counsel on Widows")), affirming the divine source of his counsel even when not a direct "commandment."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [1 Corinthians 7:6](/1_corinthians/7-6 "1 Corinthians 7:6 - Paul's Advice on Marriage") speaks to practical matters of Christian living, its underlying principle of discerning between command and counsel finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ, as the embodiment of divine wisdom and the ultimate Law-giver, did not burden His followers with an exhaustive list of rigid regulations for every conceivable life scenario. Instead, He provided foundational principles rooted in love for God and neighbor ([Matthew 22:37-40](/matthew/22-37-40 "Matthew 22:37-40 - The Greatest Commandment")) and empowered believers with the Holy Spirit to apply these principles with discernment and freedom. Paul's distinction reflects the new covenant reality where believers are not under the strict letter of the law but are guided by the Spirit in grace ([Romans 8:2-4](/romans/8-2-4 "Romans 8:2-4 - Life in the Spirit")). Jesus' finished work on the cross frees us from the need for legalistic adherence to every detail, allowing for Spirit-led wisdom and personal conviction in areas not explicitly commanded, while still upholding the absolute authority of His teachings. This freedom in Christ encourages a life of love and discernment, rather than mere rule-following, ultimately leading to a deeper relationship with Him, who is our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")).

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

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.

1 Corinthians 7:25

¶ 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 7:12

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.

2 Corinthians 11:17

That which I speak, I speak [it] not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.