1 Corinthians 7:27
Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
Original Language Analysis
δέδεσαι
Art thou bound
G1210
δέδεσαι
Art thou bound
Strong's:
G1210
Word #:
1 of 11
to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
3 of 11
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ζήτει
seek
G2212
ζήτει
seek
Strong's:
G2212
Word #:
4 of 11
to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by hebraism) to worship (god), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
7 of 11
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
9 of 11
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
Historical Context
Greco-Roman culture strongly emphasized marriage and procreation as civic duties. Paul's counsel that singles need not marry was countercultural. Conversely, his prohibition against married believers seeking divorce for ascetic reasons protected marriages from Corinthian dualism.
Questions for Reflection
- Why would Paul advise singles not to seek marriage if marriage is good and honorable?
- How does this verse balance contentment in one's calling with natural desires for marriage?
- What circumstances today might make Paul's counsel to remain single particularly relevant?
Analysis & Commentary
Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed—the verb dedesai (δέδεσαι, "are you bound") uses marriage-bond language (v. 39; Romans 7:2). Paul's command mē zētei lysin (μὴ ζήτει λύσιν, "do not seek release") forbids pursuing divorce. Despite singleness's advantages (vv. 26, 32-35), married believers must not seek to end marriages for spiritual reasons.
Conversely, Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife. The term lelysai (λέλυσαι, "are you freed") describes single status—never married, widowed, or legitimately divorced. Paul advises singles not to pursue marriage given present circumstances, though he will clarify marriage is not sinful (v. 28). This is prudential counsel, not prohibition.
Paul's balanced instruction protects marriage's permanence while acknowledging singleness's advantages. Married believers should not divorce; single believers need not rush into marriage. This counters both ascetic pressure to abandon marriages and cultural pressure for universal marriage. Each calling has validity; believers should be content where God has placed them.