1 Corinthians 7:27
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
1 Corinthians 7:27
27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
Chapter Context
1 Corinthians 7 is a pastoral epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of obedience, mercy, holiness. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 55 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: The church existed in a prosperous, cosmopolitan, morally permissive Roman colony.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-40: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it reveals key aspects of God's character through divine actions and declarations. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 1 Corinthians and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
1 Corinthians 7:27
27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
Analysis
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.
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.
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?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: 1 Corinthians 7:20