1 Corinthians 7 · Verse 25

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 7:25, King James Version

1 Corinthians 7:25 in other translations

BSBNow about virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.
WEBNow concerning virgins, I have no commandment from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who has obtained mercy from the Lord to be trustworthy.
ASVNow 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.
YLTAnd concerning the virgins, a command of the Lord I have not; and I give judgment as having obtained kindness from the Lord to be faithful:
DARBYBut concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord; but I give my opinion, as having received mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
BBENow about virgins I have no orders from the Lord: but I give my opinion as one to whom the Lord has given mercy to be true to him.
WebsterNow concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment as one that hath obtained mercy from the Lord to be faithful.

What does 1 Corinthians 7:25 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
25. no commandment of the Lord: yet ... my judgment--I have no express revelation from the Lord commanding it, but I give my judgment (opinion); namely, under the ordinary inspiration which accompanied the apostles in all their canonical writings (compare 1Co 7:40; 1Co 14:37; 1Th 4:15). The Lord inspires me in this case to give you only a recommendation, which you are free to adopt or reject--not a positive command. In the second case (1Co 7:10, 11) it was a positive command; for the Lord had already made known His will (Mal 2:14, 15; Mt 5:31, 32). In the third case (1Co 7:12), the Old Testament commandment of God to put away strange wives (Ezr 10:3), Paul by the Spirit revokes. mercy of the Lord--(1Ti 1:13). He attributes his apostleship and the gifts accompanying it (including inspiration) to God's grace alone. faithful--in dispensing to you the inspired directions received by me from the Lord.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 25. Now concerning virgins. This commences the third subject on which the opinion of Paul seems to have been asked by the church at Corinth--whether it was proper that those who had unmarried daughters, or wards, should give them in marriage. The reason why this question was proposed may have been, that many in the church at Corinth were the advocates of celibacy, and this, perhaps, on two grounds:

(1.) Some may have supposed that in the existing state of things--the persecutions and trials to which Christians were exposed--it would be advisable that a man who had unmarried daughters, or wards, should keep them from the additional cares and trials to which they would be exposed with a family; and,

(2.) some may have already been the advocates for celibacy, and have maintained that that state was more favourable to piety, and was altogether to be preferred. It is known that that opinion had an early prevalence, and gave rise to the establishment of nunneries in the papal church; an opinion that has everywhere been attended with licentiousness and corruption. It is not improbable that there may have been advocates for this opinion even in the church of Corinth; and it was well, therefore, that the authority of an apostle should be employed to sanction and to honour the marriage union.

I have no commandment, etc. No positive, express revelation. 1Cor 7:6, 1Cor 7:10.

Yet I give my judgment. I give my opinion, or advice. 1Cor 2:6.

As one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord. As a Christian; one who has been pardoned, whose mind has been enlightened, and who has been endued with the grace of God.

To be faithful. Faithful to my God. As one who would not give advice for any selfish, or mercenary, or worldly consideration; as one known to act from a desire to. honour God, and to seek the best interests of the church, even though there is no explicit command. The advice of such a man--a devoted, faithful, self-denying, experienced Christian--is entitled to respectful deference, even where there is no claim to inspiration. Religion qualifies to give advice; and the advice of a man who has no selfish ends to gratify, and who is known to seek supremely the glory of God, should not be disregarded or slighted. Paul had a special claim to give this advice, because he was the founder of the church at Corinth.

(*) "virgins" "Single persons" (d) "commandment" 1Cor 7:6,10,40 (e) "faithful" 1Timm 1:12

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 25 Now concerning virgins - This was another subject on which the Church at Corinth had asked the advice of the apostle. The word παρθενος, virgin, we take to signify a pure, unmarried young woman; but it is evident that the word in this place means young unmarried persons of either sex, as appears from 1Cor 7:26, 1Cor 7:27, 1Cor 7:32-34, and from Rev 14:4. The word παρθενος, virgin, is frequently applied to men as well as to women. See Suidas, under the word Αβελ· οὑτος παρθενος και δι καιος ὑπηρχε, He (Abel) was a virgin, and a righteous man. In 1Cor 7:36 the word is supposed to mean the state of virginity or celibacy, and very probable reasons are assigned for it; and it is evident that persons of either sex in a state of celibacy are the persons intended. I have no commandment of the Lord - There is nothing in the sacred writings that directly touches this point. Yet I give my judgment - As every way equal to such commandments had there been any, seeing I have received the teaching of his own Spirit, and have obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful to this heavenly gift, so that it abides with me to lead me into all truth. In this way I think the apostle's words may be safely understood.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7:25-35
Considering the distress of those times, the unmarried state was best. Notwithstanding, the apostle does not condemn marriage. How opposite are those to the apostle Paul who forbid many to marry, and entangle them with vows to remain single, whether they ought to do so or not! He exhorts all Christians to holy indifference toward the world. As to relations; they must not set their hearts on the comforts of the state. As to afflictions; they must not indulge the sorrow of the world: even in sorrow the heart may be joyful. As to worldly enjoyments; here is not their rest. As to worldly employment; those that prosper in trade, and increase in wealth, should hold their possessions as though they held them not. As to all worldly concerns; they must keep the world out of their hearts, that they may not abuse it when they have it in their hands. All worldly things are show; nothing solid. All will be quickly gone. Wise concern about worldly interests is a duty; but to be full of care, to have anxious and perplexing care, is a sin. By this maxim the apostle solves the case whether it were advisable to marry. That condition of life is best for every man, which is best for his soul, and keeps him most clear of the cares and snares of the world. Let us reflect on the advantages and snares of our own condition in life; that we may improve the one, and escape as far as possible all injury from the other. And whatever cares press upon the mind, let time still be kept for the things of the Lord.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

1 Corinthians 7:25 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΠερὶPeriConcerningG4012
δὲdenowG1161
τῶνtōntheG3588
παρθένωνparthenōnvirginsG3933
ἐπιταγὴνepitagēna commandmentG2003
κυρίουkuriouof [the] LordG2962
οὐκouknotG3756
ἔχω,echōI have,G2192
γνώμηνgnōmēnjudgmentG1106
δὲdehoweverG1161
δίδωμιdidōmiI giveG1325
ὡςhōsasG5613
ἠλεημένοςēleēmenosreceived mercyG1653
ὑπὸhupofromG5259
κυρίουkuriou[the] LordG2962
πιστὸςpistostrustworthyG4103
εἶναι.einaito be.G1511

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 7:25

  • 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 8:8-10

    I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 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 7:10

    And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

  • 1 Corinthians 7:34

    There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:10

    But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

  • Psalms 78:63

    The fire consumed their young men; and their maidens were not given to marriage.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:28

    But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

  • 2 Corinthians 2:17

    For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:36-38

    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. Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
concerning.
28,34,36-38; Ps 78:63
virgins.The word [parthenos ,] as well as the Latin {virgo,} "a virgin," though it generally signifies a maid, frequently denotes unmarried persons of both sexes; in which sense it is evidently used here by the apostle.
have.
6,10,12,40; 2Co 8:8-10; 11:17
obtained.
4:2; 15:10; 2Co 2:17; 4:1,2; 1Ti 1:12-16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 7:24

    Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.

  • 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 7:26

    I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 7

1 Corinthians 7:25 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Empero de las vírgenes no tengo mandamiento del Señor; mas doy mi parecer, como quien ha alcanzado misericordia del Señor para ser fiel.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Or, pour ce qui est de ceux qui sont vierges, je n’ai pas d’ordre du Seigneur; mais je donne mon opinion comme ayant reçu miséricorde du Seigneur pour être fidèle.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Was aber die Jungfrauen betrifft, so habe ich kein Gebot des Herrn; ich gebe aber eine Meinung, als vom Herrn begnadigt worden, treu zu sein.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		De virginibus autem præceptum Domini non habeo: consilium autem do, tamquam misericordiam consecutus a Domino, ut sim fidelis.