1 Corinthians 7:25

“Now concerning virgins, etc.] 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…”

“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 Co1 7:40; Co1 14:37; Th1 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 (Co1 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 (Co1 7:12), the Old Testament commandment of God to put away strange wives (Ezr 10:3), Paul by the Spirit revokes. mercy of the…”

“Not 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…”

“Now concerning virgins - Of either sex. 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. 1 Corinthians 7:26”

“7:25-35 Paul gives three reasons why it is generally preferable for single people to remain unmarried. First, single people have fewer everyday problems than married people. Second, because the end is near, Christians ought not let marriage and the things of the world be their dominant concerns. Their primary concern should be Christ and eternity. Third, because marriage brings earthly responsibilities and divided interests, those who choose to remain single can devote their lives more fully to serving Christ.”

“concerning: Co1 7:28, Co1 7:34, Co1 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: Co1 7:6, Co1 7:10, Co1 7:12, Co1 7:40; Co2 8:8-10, Co2 11:17 obtained: Co1 4:2, Co1 15:10; Co2 2:17, Co2 4:1, Co2 4:2; Ti1 1:12-16 1 Corinthians 7:26”