“Now concerning the unmarried,
I have no command
Of the Lord.
But I give my opinion
As one
Who by the Lord’s mercy
Is trustworthy.”
Περὶ δὲ τῶν παρθένων ἐπιταγὴν Κυρίου οὐκ ἔχω, γνώμην δὲ δίδωμι ὡς ἠλεημένος ὑπὸ Κυρίου πιστὸς εἶναι.
Paul said concerning the unmarried, the virgins or celibate males (Περὶ δὲ τῶν παρθένων), he had no (οὐκ ἔχω) command of the Lord (ἐπιταγὴν Κυρίου). But he gave his own opinion (γνώμην δὲ δίδωμι), as one who by the Lord’s mercy (ὡς ἠλεημένος ὑπὸ Κυρίου) was trustworthy (πιστὸς εἶναι). Paul now spoke to the young men and women at Corinth, who were not yet married. He said that he, not a command of the Lord, was about to tell them what to do. He was going to offer his own personal opinion about what they should do. However, his judgment was trustworthy because it was based on the Lord’s mercy. Thus, Paul is giving a well-informed opinion, even if it is not a commandment directly from God. Do you follow the requests of church leaders?
