Teks -- 1 Corinthians 7:25 (NET)

Remaining Unmarried

7:25 With regard to the question about people who have never married, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my opinion as one shown mercy by the Lord to be trustworthy.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Robertson: 1Co 7:25 - I have no commandment of the Lord

I have no commandment of the Lord ( epitagēn Kuriou ouk echō ).

A late word from epitassō , old Greek verb to enjoin, to give orders to. Paul did have (1Co 7:10) a command from the Lord as we have in Matthew and Mark. It was quite possible for Paul to know this command of Jesus as he did other sayings of Jesus (Act 20:35) even if he had as yet no access to a written gospel or had received no direct revelation on the subject from Jesus (1Co 11:23). Sayings of Jesus were passed on among the believers. But Paul had no specific word from Jesus on the subject of virgins. They call for special treatment, young unmarried women only Paul means (1Co 7:25, 1Co 7:28, 1Co 7:34, 1Co 7:36-38) and not as in Rev 14:4 (metaphor). It is probable that in the letter (1Co 7:1) the Corinthians had asked about this problem.

Robertson: 1Co 7:25 - But I give my judgment

But I give my judgment ( gnōmēn de didōmi ).

About mixed marriages (1Co 7:12) Paul had the command of Jesus concerning divorce to guide him. Here he has nothing from Jesus at all. So he gives no "command,"but only "a judgment,"a deliberately formed decision from knowledge (2Co 8:10), not a mere passing fancy.

Robertson: 1Co 7:25 - As one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful

As one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful ( hōs ēleēmenos hupo kuriou pistos einai ).

Perfect passive participle of eleeō , old verb to receive mercy (eleos ). Pistos is predicate nominative with infinitive einai . This language, so far from being a disclaimer of inspiration, is an express claim to help from the Lord in the forming of this duly considered judgment, which is in no sense a command, but an inspired opinion.

Vincent: 1Co 7:25 - Virgins

Virgins ( παρθένων )

Not the unmarried of both sexes, as Bengel. The use of the word by ecclesiastical writers for an unmarried man has no warrant in classical usage, and may have arisen from the misinterpretation of Rev 14:4, where it is employed adjectivally and metaphorically. In every other case in the New Testament the meaning is unquestionable.

Wesley: 1Co 7:25 - Now concerning virgins

Of either sex.

Wesley: 1Co 7:25 - I have no commandment from the Lord

By a particular revelation. Nor was it necessary he should; for the apostles wrote nothing which was not divinely inspired: but with this difference, - sometimes they had a particular revelation, and a special commandment; at other times they wrote from the divine light which abode with them, the standing treasure of the Spirit of God. And this, also, was not their private opinion, but a divine rule of faith and practice. As one whom God hath made faithful in my apostolic office; who therefore faithfully deliver what I receive from him.

JFB: 1Co 7:25 - 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; Mat 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.

JFB: 1Co 7:25 - mercy of the Lord

(1Ti 1:13). He attributes his apostleship and the gifts accompanying it (including inspiration) to God's grace alone.

JFB: 1Co 7:25 - faithful

In dispensing to you the inspired directions received by me from the Lord.

Clarke: 1Co 7:25 - Now concerning virgins

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 1Co 7:26, 1Co 7:27, 1Co 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 1Co 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

Clarke: 1Co 7:25 - I have no commandment of the Lord

I have no commandment of the Lord - There is nothing in the sacred writings that directly touches this point

Clarke: 1Co 7:25 - Yet I give my judgment

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.

Calvin: 1Co 7:25 - Concerning virgins // Having obtained mercy to be faithful

25.Concerning virgins He now returns to treat of marriage, of which he had begun to speak in the commencement of the chapter. What he is now about to state he had previously touched upon, but briefly and somewhat obscurely. He accordingly intimates more explicitly what his views are respecting virginity; but as it is a matter that is liable to be misapprehended, and is full of difficulties, he always speaks, as we shall see, conditionally. Virgins here I understand as meaning virginity. As to this, he says he has no commandment of the Lord; because the Lord does not in any part of the Scriptures declare what persons ought to remain unmarried. Nay, on the contrary, inasmuch as the Scripture says, that

male and female were created together, (Gen 2:21,)

it seems as if it called every one equally and without exception to marriage: ⁴¹⁴ at least celibacy is nowhere enjoined upon any one, or commended.

He says that he gives advice, not as if there were anything doubtful in it, and had little or no stability, but as being certain, and deserving to be maintained without any controversy. The word, too, that he employs, γνώμη, signifies not merely advice, but a decisive judgment. ⁴¹⁵ Papists, however, rashly infer from this, that it is allowable to go beyond the limits of God’s word, since nothing was farther from Paul’s intention than to go beyond the limits of God’s word for if any one attends more closely, he will see, that Paul here advances nothing but what is included in what Christ says in Mat 5:32, and Mat 19:5; but in the way of anticipating an objection, he acknowledges that he has no express precept in the law, pointing out who ought to marry, and who not

Having obtained mercy to be faithful He secures authority for his decision, that no one may think himself at liberty to reject it, if he chooses. For he declares that he does not speak simply as a man, but as a faithful teacher of the Church, and an Apostle of Christ. According to his custom, he declares himself to be indebted for this to the mercy of God, ⁴¹⁶ as it was no common honor, nay superior to all human merits. Hence it appears, that whatever things have been introduced into the Church by human authority, ⁴¹⁷ have nothing in common with this advice of Paul. But faithful here means truthful — one who does not do what he does merely from pious zeal, but is also endowed with knowledge, so as to teach with purity and faithfulness For it is not enough for a teacher to be conscientious, if he has not also prudence and acquaintance with the truth.

Defender: 1Co 7:25 - give my judgment

There had been no previous commandment specifically concerning virgins, except to refrain from fornication, so Paul gives his own inspired judgment (1Co 7:40). Before giving his advice concerning virgins, however, he points out that the imminent "distress" (1Co 7:26, 1Co 7:29) - possibly referring to the soon-coming severe persecutions of Christians by the Romans - would indicate that it might be better to remain unmarried, even though getting married was certainly no sin (1Co 7:28)."

TSK: 1Co 7:25 - concerning // virgins // have // obtained

concerning : 1Co 7:28, 1Co 7:34, 1Co 7:36-38; Psa 78:63

virgins : The word παρθενος [Strong’ s G3933], 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 : 1Co 7:6, 1Co 7:10,1Co 7:12, 1Co 7:40; 2Co 8:8-10, 2Co 11:17

obtained : 1Co 4:2, 1Co 15:10; 2Co 2:17, 2Co 4:1, 2Co 4:2; 1Ti 1:12-16

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 1Co 7:25 - concerning virgins // as one that

He had before spoken to married persons and widows, now he comes to speak

concerning virgins and though he mentions only the female sex, yet the following words show that his advice extended to both. As to them he saith, he had no special direction from Christ, none that would suit the case of every virgin; but yet he would give his advice, what seemed to him best. And he would have them look upon him

as one that himself had received mercy from the Lord and as he desired to be faithful in the discharge of his trust, so might and ought to have credit given him in what he said. In which sense we read in Scripture of a faithful saying, a faithful Creator, a faithful man, & c.

Haydock: 1Co 7:25-28 - Now concerning virgins

Now concerning virgins, &c. He turns his discourse again to the unmarried, who (if they have made no vow) may lawfully marry, though he is far from commanding every one to marry, as when he says, seek not a wife. And such shall have tribulation of the flesh, cares, troubles, vexations in the state of marriage, but I spare you, I leave you to your liberty of marrying, or not marrying, and will not discourage you be setting forth the crosses of a married life. (Witham)

Gill: 1Co 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

Now concerning virgins,.... Whether they should continue in the same state or not, whether they should marry or not, was one of the cases put to the apostle, and which the Corinthians wrote to him about, and to which he returns this answer:

I have no commandment of the Lord: neither in the Old Testament, in the law of Moses, or writings of the prophets; nothing is therein enjoined concerning celibacy, or commanding persons to live a single life; but on the contrary there are many things directing and exciting to a marriage state; nor had the apostle any command from the Lord Jesus Christ, under the Gospel dispensation, obliging to virginity; nor any special orders, or peculiar revelation from the Spirit of God, fixing and settling this point:

yet I give my judgment, what will be most advisable, convenient, and prudent to be done, considering persons, times, and circumstances. The apostle does not make use of his power and authority, as such, to make decrees, and prescribe rules, binding on the consciences of men; only humbly and modestly gives his opinion, which if thought well of, might be followed by them: and the more to engage them to take his advice, he adds,

as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful; the meaning of which is, not that he, through the goodness and mercy of the Lord, had with great integrity preserved his virginity, and so proposes himself, as an instance and example of retaining it; for it is not certain, that though the apostle was now single, that he had never been married; it seems rather that he had, and therefore this cannot be his sense; nor does he refer to his faithfulness, to the Gospel committed to his trust, and the faithful discharge of his whole ministerial service, and which was owing to divine grace and mercy; but to that plainness, honesty, and integrity, which appeared in the whole course and conduct of his life, and in all his conversation with men; and particularly in giving advice about any matter, or declaring his sentiments on any subject: and when a man is free and faithful, and openly and honestly tells his mind, it greatly recommends him, and commands attention and regard to what he says; and faithfulness, it may be observed, considered in this sense, is not of nature, but of grace; it is obtained not by a man's own power and strength, but by the grace and mercy of God; to which it is here ascribed.