Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. — Paul addresses the parthénoi (virgins), likely young women under paternal control facing questions about marriage. The formula 'no command from the Lord' continues Paul's transparency about the scope of Jesus' explicit teaching. However, Paul's judgment (gnōmē = considered opinion) is given as one who has received eleos kuriou (the Lord's mercy), lending apostolic weight. The claim to trustworthiness derives from divine gift, not personal accomplishment.

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