by jimwalton » Thu Jun 02, 2022 1:37 pm
The term "unmarried" is ἀγάμοις, meaning "unmarried." The word is a compound word, made simply from the Greek word for “marry” and the negative prefix “a,” meaning "not."
A.T. Robertson says, "It is possible that by “the unmarried” he means only men, since widows are added and since virgins receive special treatment (25); in verse 32 ho agamos is the unmarried man."
Fred Fisher: " 'The unmarried' could include the widows as well, but the probability is that he was thinking of unmarried men—both bachelors and widowers. Paul spoke later in the chapter about unmarried women. The word could be taken as inclusive of all unmarried people, including bachelors, widowers, maidens, and widows. If so, the special mention of widows would be because of their desolate condition."
Sarah Ruden: " 'The unmarried' are not only women; the word is grammatically masculine plural, but it refers to men and women both. (It is like the English word 'actors' used for everyone in the profession, male and female. There has to be a special reason to specify 'actresses.')"
> would that mean it’s better for women to marry than to not? And that it’s only good for men to remain unmarried?
No, neither of these. Paul is seeing that the times are desperate and that there are more valuable pursuits than marriage. He's more likely saying: This is no time to think about marriage. Though everyone has a right to get married, and in general it is best that anyone who wants to can and should get married, in these circumstances I'm not convinced it's the wise choice.
Richard Hays writes, "Since Paul so stoutly and realistically affirms the necessity of mutual sexual satisfaction within marriage, why does he advise remaining unmarried? Vv. 29-31 hint that he believes the present order of things is about to be swept away, so he advises not to enter marriage, remaining 'in the condition in which you were called' (vv. 17-24). Marriage brings with it concerns for the affairs of the world (32-35), so singleness is to be preferred, but he clearly marks this preference as his own opinion on a matter where he has no command of the Lord."