But I Speak This by Permission, and Not of Commandment (1 Corinthians 7:6)

2024-01-26

But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment (1 Corinthians 7:6)

There are a few cases like this, and such as 1 Corinthians 7:12, where the apostle wrote that he was not writing a commandment of the Lord. This has been wrested to mean that things that are not said directly of the Lord do not carry the same authority. But what is really meant here?

The Scripture teaches us that though we are not bound by a commandment here, there is one option that is better than another. The context here is dealing with deciding to get married versus staying single, and other related issues. The apostle Paul told the Corinthians that it is better not to marry because you are freer to serve the Lord. “So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better” (1 Corinthians 7:38). Marriage and singleness are two good options, but there is a better. The apostle’s advice should be considered: “I think also that I have the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 7:40).

The point is that such portions of Scripture are not less scriptural or authoritative; this is the “red letter” reasoning. The apostle was answering their concern on various issues (1 Corinthians 7:1). Sometimes there are multiple good options to do things that are not sinful in themselves, but there are some options that are better than others.

It is interesting to see that while some undermine Pauline authority given his commandment versus permission, the Lord Jesus Christ taught the exact same thing on the subject of marriage.