But. say to the unmarried and to widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

'unmarried' -22. agamos ag'-am-os; from. (as. negative particle) and 1062; unmarried: -unmarried. 'It is possible that by "the unmarried" (masculine plural) the apostle means only men since widows are added and since virgins receive special treatment later (verse 25).' (Robertson p. 125)

McGuiggan adds, 'The "unmarried" may be speaking specifically of scripturally divorced and widowed men since he will speak later (25f,36ff) of unmarried ladies. And it could be he treats widows as. special group because they can be of much service to the congregation. (1 Timothy 5:9 ff)' (p. 96)

Fee says, 'if "unmarried" refers to all the unmarried, then why add widows?...On balance, "widower" seems to be the best understanding of the word here.' (p. 288)

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Old Testament