Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy. I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—that it is good for a man to remain as he is: Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you. But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away. (1 Co 7:25–31).
Virgins In Roman Society
In this passage, Paul turns his attention to virgins. The word Paul used for "virgin" is Parthenos, and like today, this term generally refers to a young woman who has not engaged in sexual intercourse.
Young unmarried women in the Roman world were expected to maintain their chastity and modesty. The society placed a high value on virginity, and premarital sexual activity was generally frowned upon. Families often emphasized the importance of virginity as it was linked to a woman's reputation, family honor, and prospects for marriage. Because virginity was highly valued, it could also be a source of pressure and anxiety for young women. The fear of losing one's virginity before marriage and the societal consequences of such an event could be significant.
Virgins In Jewish Society
Being a virgin as a Jewish woman held significant cultural, religious, and social implications. The society at the time, including Jewish communities, placed a high value on a woman's virginity, associating it with purity, honor, and marital suitability. Like in many ancient cultures, Jewish families viewed virginity as an asset for their daughters. Parents were invested in ensuring their daughters remained chaste until marriage to secure a good match. Girls were often raised with teachings about the importance of maintaining their virginity for their future husbands. Like the young woman of Rome, young Jewish women also felt the pressure and anxiety associated with maintaining their virginity due to cultural and religious expectations. The fear of public shame and the desire to honor their families often influenced their conduct and behavior.
This is not a command from the Lord.
Returning to the text, Paul explicitly mentions that he lacks a direct command from the Lord regarding the topic of virgins. This statement is thought-provoking and warrants further exploration. Paul's declaration raises significant inquiries concerning the inspiration and authority of the scriptures. One crucial question it brings to light is: How does Paul's admission of lacking a specific command from the Lord affect our perception of the inspiration and authority of the writings comprising the New Testament?
There are other passages where Paul says this is my opinion for example
But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God,… 1 Corinthians 7:6-7
But she is happier if she remains as she is, according to my judgment—and I think I also have the Spirit of God. 1 Corinthians 7:40
These passages examine the delicate equilibrium between divine inspiration and human authors' distinctive perspectives and contributions in composing the inspired scriptures. To rephrase the question, when Paul states that a matter is based on personal advice rather than a direct divine command, should we still regard his counsel as divinely inspired? Arguing in favor of this notion appears to involve an inherent contradiction.
Don’t separate; don’t get married.
Paul’s counsel to the virgins is really just a reiteration of what he said earlier to the men
Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. - 1 Corinthians 7:10-11
The question that emerges from Paul's counsel is: why refrain from marrying? Paul had reservations about the wisdom of marrying during the time of writing. He emphasizes that, at that specific time, marrying was not advisable. He is clear that it is not a sin if a young man and a young woman decide to marry, but he strongly leans towards advocating celibacy. This raises the question: why this strong inclination?
One potential answer to this question is in another intriguing point Paul raises in this passage—the notion that the world is transient and passing away. These are clearly references to Paul’s eschatological view, and we certainly don’t have time to address this here, so unfortunately, we will have to pick that up in our next episode.
Application for today
While today's examination of the text resulted in a better understanding of the culture and values of the world in which Paul thought and wrote, we can still derive some application. As believers today, we should take time to read what the bible says about purity and modesty. We would argue that understanding how to uphold these biblical virtues in our modern lives is important. Our actions and choices should embody purity and modesty in all aspects of life. We should commit to displaying moral integrity and respect for ourselves and others.
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