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The Unmarried and Widowed
In this part of the letter, Paul gives careful advice about marriage, singleness and widowhood. He distinguishes between a direct command from the Lord and his trustworthy judgment, and he explains why remaining as one is can be wise.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
These verses are written as teaching in a letter. Paul addresses questions about virgins, unmarried people and widows. He speaks about present distress, the shortness of time, the passing form of this world, and the desire to help believers attend to the Lord without distraction.
1 Corinthians 7:25–40Main takeaway
This passage teaches that marriage is not sin, singleness has real advantages for undivided devotion to the Lord, and each situation should be weighed carefully before God.
Follow the letter’s teaching
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Paul offers trustworthy judgmentPaul begins by saying he has no commandment from the Lord on this point, yet he gives his judgment as one who has received mercy to be trustworthy.
Explanation
Paul begins by saying he has no commandment from the Lord on this point, yet he gives his judgment as one who has received mercy to be trustworthy. Because of the present distress, he thinks it is good to remain as one is, whether married or unmarried.
02Marriage is allowed, but it brings pressuresPaul is clear that marrying is not sin, for either a man or a virgin. Even so, he says married life will bring oppression in the flesh, and he wants to spare them.
Explanation
Paul is clear that marrying is not sin, for either a man or a virgin. Even so, he says married life will bring oppression in the flesh, and he wants to spare them. His advice is shaped by the shortness of time and the passing form of this world.
03Freedom from distraction in serving the LordPaul explains one advantage of being unmarried. An unmarried man can be concerned with the things of the Lord and how to please the Lord.
Explanation
Paul explains one advantage of being unmarried. An unmarried man can be concerned with the things of the Lord and how to please the Lord. Likewise, an unmarried woman can care about the things of the Lord in body and spirit. Marriage also brings rightful concerns about pleasing a spouse.
04Both choices can be goodPaul says that if a man believes marriage is appropriate, he does not sin by proceeding. If he is settled, under control, and under no pressure, keeping his virgin unmarried also does well.
Explanation
Paul says that if a man believes marriage is appropriate, he does not sin by proceeding. If he is settled, under control, and under no pressure, keeping his virgin unmarried also does well. Paul’s conclusion is that both choices are good, though one is better in his judgment.
05Widowhood and freedom to remarryPaul then speaks about a wife whose husband has died. She is free to marry whomever she desires, but only in the Lord.
Explanation
Paul then speaks about a wife whose husband has died. She is free to marry whomever she desires, but only in the Lord. Still, Paul judges that she is happier if she remains as she is, and he adds that he thinks he also has God’s Spirit.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Why does Paul recommend remaining as one is in this passage?
Look for the reasons he gives, including the present distress, the shortness of time and his desire to spare believers added pressures.
02What difference does Paul describe between unmarried and married life?
Trace his repeated contrast between being concerned with the things of the Lord and being concerned with pleasing a spouse.
03What does Paul say a widow is free to do, and what limit does he mention?
Notice both the freedom and the phrase that shapes that freedom.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
1 Corinthians 7:25–40
25Now 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.
26Therefore I think that because of the distress that is on us, it’s good for a man to remain as he is.
27Are you bound to a wife? Don’t seek to be freed. Are you free from a wife? Don’t seek a wife.
28But if you marry, you have not sinned. If a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such will have oppression in the flesh, and I want to spare you.
29But I say this, brothers: the time is short. From now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none;
30and those who weep, as though they didn’t weep; and those who rejoice, as though they didn’t rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn’t possess;
31and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away.
32But I desire to have you to be free from cares. He who is unmarried is concerned for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;
33but he who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife.
34There is also a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband.
35This I say for your own benefit, not that I may ensnare you, but for that which is appropriate, and that you may attend to the Lord without distraction.
36But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn’t sin. Let them marry.
37But he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no urgency, but has power over his own will, and has determined in his own heart to keep his own virgin, does well.
38So then both he who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and he who doesn’t give her in marriage does better.
39A wife is bound by law for as long as her husband lives; but if the husband is dead, she is free to be married to whomever she desires, only in the Lord.
40But she is happier if she stays as she is, in my judgment, and I think that I also have God’s Spirit.